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budget 2026

OpinionMay 29

Surplus a noble aim, but what about living standards?

Surplus a noble aim, but what about living standards?
Surplus a noble aim, but what about living standards?
OpinionMay 29

Regions need something solid, not just confidence

We weren’t expecting much, as Budget 2026 was framed as a ‘‘responsible’’ one.
Regions need something solid, not just confidence
Regions need something solid, not just confidence
OpinionMay 29

Precious little for those at bottom

Times are tight and the government’s books are poor. Many of us are doing some version of ‘‘tough’’.
Precious little for those at bottom
Precious little for those at bottom
NationalMay 29

Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'

Kindergartens New Zealand says its members will struggle after the Budget increased their operational subsidy by less than 0.5%.
Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'
Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'
NationalMay 28

Budget 'doing nothing' for struggling families: Salvation Army

Budget 2026 has nothing that will really make a difference for struggling families, the Salvation Army says.
Budget 'doing nothing' for struggling families: Salvation Army
Budget 'doing nothing' for struggling families: Salvation Army
NationalMay 28

$48m boost for Māori broadcasting

Pokere Paewai of RNZA boost for Māori broadcasting is the one main highlight for Māori in this year's Budget.
$48m boost for Māori broadcasting
$48m boost for Māori broadcasting
NationalMay 28

Money to shore up South Is state highways

Budget 2026 contains funding for just one Road of National Significance and will help ensure state highways are resilient due to severe weather events.
Money to shore up South Is state highways
Money to shore up South Is state highways
NationalMay 28

Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder

The Opposition says this year's Budget leaves Kiwis to fend for themselves, with more spending for prisons and more children in poverty.
Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder
Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder
NationalMay 28

Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Finance Minister made an "unfortunate mistake" when she made comments about superannuation during the Budget-lock up.
Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters
Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters
NationalMay 28

Spending on Pacific aid and defence

Budget 2026 will see more foreign aid to the Pacific region, while defence and customs spending rises with an eye towards crime and security.
Spending on Pacific aid and defence
Spending on Pacific aid and defence
NationalMay 28

Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis

The government has announced it is holding $450 million in reserve to address further shocks caused by high fuel prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis
Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis
NationalMay 28

Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen

The Budget boosts spending on curriculum changes and trade training for teens, freezes nearly all tertiary subsidies and fast-tracks a modest boost for early childhood services.
Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen
Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen
NationalMay 28

Big boost for health

Health gets $5.8 billion of new spending, including a $5.5b increase to frontline services over four years.
Big boost for health
Big boost for health
BusinessMay 28

Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'

An end to the Middle East conflict, financial discipline and a return to solid economic growth are being relied on to deliver a quicker return to budget surpluses.
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'
NationalMay 28

Budget 2026 at a glance

As promised, the Finance Minister has delivered a bread-and-butter Budget 2026, with few big surprises and no sign of a lolly scramble.
Budget 2026 at a glance
Budget 2026 at a glance
DunedinMay 28

Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free

Students protesting the government’s decision to scrap fees free have told supporters that nothing short of a ‘‘legitimate mass movement’’ was needed to effect long-term change.
Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free
Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free
NationalMay 28

No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has used her election-year Budget to preach prudence and discipline, with the books now forecast to be back in black a year earlier than picked.
No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
NationalMay 27

Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026

Analysis: Trying to please everyone will prove a near-impossible task for Finance Minister Nicola Willis when she delivers her third Budget on Thursday.
Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
NationalMay 27

Health wishes for Budget 2026

The govt has already announced an expansion to Lakes District Hospital's ED in Queenstown will begin within months as part of a $180m boost to healthcare in the Otago Central Lakes area.
Health wishes for Budget 2026
Health wishes for Budget 2026
BusinessMay 27

What's been announced ahead of Budget Day

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver the govt's Budget 2026 on Thursday. Here is everything that has been announced.
What's been announced ahead of Budget Day
What's been announced ahead of Budget Day
NationalMay 26

'The right Budget for the times,' Willis says

Thursday's Budget is "the right Budget for the times", and will respond to an increasingly uncertain world, the Finance Minister says.
'The right Budget for the times,' Willis says
'The right Budget for the times,' Willis says
NationalMay 24

Govt doubles funding for wilding pine control

Funding for wilding pine control efforts, including around Queenstown and the Whakatipu Basin, will more than double under a Budget 2026 boost.
Govt doubles funding for wilding pine control
Govt doubles funding for wilding pine control
NationalMay 22

Govt announces $1.5b investment in maritime security

The government has announced a $1.58 billion investment in maritime security, ahead of the Budget.
Govt announces $1.5b investment in maritime security
Govt announces $1.5b investment in maritime security
NationalMay 22

Willis negotiating tricky Budget path

Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ third Budget has been drafted during troubled economic times. She talks to ODT political editor Mike Houlahan about the challenges.
Willis negotiating tricky Budget path
Willis negotiating tricky Budget path
NationalMay 21

'Tough choices': Govt announces major social housing shake-up

A major shake-up of social housing will boost weekly support for 110,000 families by almost $15 but leave another 80,000 families worse off by $30 a week.
'Tough choices': Govt announces major social housing shake-up
'Tough choices': Govt announces major social housing shake-up