New Zealand's ACT Party Deputy Leader Nicole McKee announced a six-point crypto policy platform at the CryptoWinter26 event, positioning the party as the first major parliamentary group in the country to introduce a dedicated digital asset policy ahead of the November 7, 2026 general election.
The proposal introduces a 12-month bright-line rule for personal crypto holdings. Investors who hold Bitcoin or other qualifying digital assets for longer than one year would pay zero tax on gains. Sales made before the 12-month threshold would remain subject to New Zealand's full income tax rates, which range from 10.5% to 39%.
Under New Zealand's current system, the Inland Revenue Department treats crypto as property, meaning every transaction—including swaps between tokens and purchases with crypto—triggers a taxable event requiring gain or loss calculations. An estimated 355,000 New Zealanders conduct roughly $36 billion in crypto transactions annually, according to the source material.
The ACT proposal maintains full taxation on two categories: disposals within 12 months and all business or professional trading activity. Day traders and crypto businesses would not qualify for the tax exemption. The policy targets retail investors who buy and hold rather than active traders.
Beyond the bright-line rule, the plan titled Unlocking New Zealand's Digital Economy includes provisions for low-value transaction relief and clearer regulatory treatment for stablecoins and tokenized assets, areas where existing rules remain unclear.
ACT currently polls as the fourth or fifth largest party in New Zealand. No other major parliamentary party—including Labour, National, the Greens, and NZ First—has publicly announced a comparable crypto-focused policy.
