Labour is set to announce its tax policy, but Judith Collins is pretty sure she already knows what will be in it.
No fewer than six times during a three-and-a-half-minute appearance on The AM Show on Wednesday morning, the National Party leader said it would involve taking money off people, or spending "other people's money".
"You can't tax your way out of an economic recession - you've got to grow your way out. Who knows what they're going to say? Whatever it is, it'll be about taking more money off people."
Collins is also making a policy announcement on Wednesday but refused to give hints as to what's in it, except to say it would be "about growing the economy, not taking more money off you".
All she would say is that aside from tolls for "wonderful new roads and tunnels", it would not involve any tax increases.
"We're not going to charge you if you die," she added.
Asked if she backed making Matariki - the Māori New Year - a holiday, Collins said unless it replaced an existing holiday, it would be "paid for by employers and also by the Government".
"I think it would be better if we changed another date - took one back... a provincial day, one of those anniversary days since we don't actually have provinces anymore except for rugby. Maybe it's one of those... It shows a Government that's really willing to give away other people's money."
New Zealand has fewer public holidays than most OECD nations, but Collins said it would be "irresponsible" to give workers another day off during an economic crisis, suggesting it could fuel unemployment.
"It's easy to go and agree to give other people's money away. I'd rather have people in work."
Collins then took credit for Labour's spate of policy announcements after weeks of very little - including regulating Paywave costs and extending small business loans - before again running her favourite line.
"Jacinda Ardern doesn't want to engage at all on policy with us... The fact is we've got policy coming out and we're forcing the Labour Party to put out some policy, although theirs is mostly about getting other people to pay for stuff."
Labour didn't increase taxes in its first term, but hasn't ruled out a hike for the country's biggest earners. The Greens have proposed not just increases for the top earners, but also on those with assets totalling more than $1 million (excluding housing, or vehicles worth less than $50,000).
Ardern ruled out a capital gains tax while she's leading the party, despite campaigning on it ahead of the 2017 election.
