Surplus a noble aim, but what about living standards?
This year’s Budget - Nicola Willis’ third, and perhaps final depending on how things go in November - was titled ‘‘Securing New Zealand’s Future’’ and promoted by Ms Willis as a ‘‘responsible...
Budget 2026
Regions need something solid, not just confidence
Regions need something solid, not just confidence
We weren’t expecting much, as Budget 2026 was framed as a ‘‘responsible’’ one.
Precious little for those at bottom
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’’.
Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'
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 'doing nothing' for struggling families: Salvation Army
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.
$48m boost for Māori broadcasting
$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.
Money to shore up South Is state highways
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.
Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder
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.
Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters
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.
Spending on Pacific aid and defence
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.
Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis
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.
Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen
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.
Big boost for health
Big boost for health
Health gets $5.8 billion of new spending, including a $5.5b increase to frontline services over four years.
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'
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.
Budget 2026 at a glance
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.
Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free
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.
No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
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.
Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
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.
Health wishes for Budget 2026
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.
What's been announced ahead of Budget Day
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.