The Green Party has blasted National's economic development plan, saying it is "mean-spirited and short-sighted" and "would devastate those earning the least".
National leader Judith Collins announced the plan on Tuesday and it includes a range of promises the party has already made so far in its election campaign.
Among a raft of measures, it would suspend next year's minimum wage increase, halt the progression of fair pay agreements and set a target of four percent unemployment.
Collins said New Zealand needs a government that understands the issues businesses are facing and has the "plan and experience" to overcome these.
"National will revive the economy by supporting our businesses to bounce back and giving them the confidence to lead the recovery and create more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and their families," she said.
But Green Party co-leader James Shaw said National's plan will "further entrench poverty across our communities".
"National's disdain for those doing it the hardest is clearer than ever in their mean-spirited and short-sighted economic plan," he said.
"Their plan to block minimum wage increases is particularly cruel. We all deserve to be paid fairly for our work, and earn enough to live dignified lives. Clearly, National doesn't agree and wants those with the least, to have even less."
Shaw also said the halt to fair pay agreements is "disturbing to see".
"These agreements allow for industry leaders to problem solve the challenges facing their sector, in partnership with the people actually doing the work. We need more collaboration like this to get us through the challenges ahead, not less," he said.
"These agreements allow for industry leaders to problem solve the challenges facing their sector, in partnership with the people actually doing the work. We need more collaboration like this to get us through the challenges ahead, not less."
The Greens said instead it would progress fair pay agreement legislation and guarantee annual minimum wage increases.
The National Party has been contacted for comment.
Collins said during the policy announcement that National would work with businesses to give them "confidence" in the COVID-19 recovery to help create more jobs and higher incomes for New Zealanders.
"New Zealand needs a government that not only understands the issues businesses are facing right now, but has the plan and experience to overcome those issues."
