AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 17, 2026 – Full Text

AM Edition: Here are the top 10 politics articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 17, 2026 – Full Text

Generated June 17, 2026 06:00 NZST · Included sources: 10

1. Government responds to Infrastructure Plan

June 16, 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has released its formal response to the independent National Infrastructure Plan, setting out how it will respond to the Infrastructure Commission’s sixteen recommendations.

“Delivering and maintaining better infrastructure is a key part of the Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future New Zealanders both need and deserve.

Full Coverage

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has released its formal response to the independent National Infrastructure Plan, setting out how it will respond to the Infrastructure Commission’s sixteen recommendations.

“Delivering and maintaining better infrastructure is a key part of the Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future New Zealanders both need and deserve.

“The Commission’s National Infrastructure Plan, released in February, sets out a 30-year view of how New Zealand can improve the way it plans, funds, maintains and delivers infrastructure.

“The release of the Plan in February was a sobering wake-up call for many people. New Zealand spends a lot on infrastructure – around 5.8 per cent of GDP annually over the last 20 years, one of the highest in the OECD – yet we rank towards the bottom for efficiency, and fourth to last in the OECD for asset management.

“Many central government agencies do not properly understand what they own or have long-term investment plans. The cost of addressing our existing infrastructure deficit far outstrips our ability to pay, so we need to be smart about where and how we invest.

“The Government is determined to do better. Over the last two years we’ve started to fix the basics of the system and it is encouraging that 11 of the 16 recommendations in the Plan reflect work we already have underway.

“I am also encouraged that the Labour and Green Party infrastructure spokespeople have both written forewords for the Government Response, endorsing the National Infrastructure Plan and broadly endorsing the Government’s response.

“The Government is taking action on all ten of the priorities identified by the Commission, including progressing time of use pricing, fleetwide road user charges, a National Adaptation Framework, lifting hospital investment, integrated spatial planning, and upzoning around key transport corridors.

“In April, the Government announced five key changes to the Investment Management System, reflecting the Commission’s recommendations in the Plan. Responsibility for coordinating external assurance on central government-funded infrastructure projects will shift from the Treasury to the Commission, and the Commission will establish a dedicated assurance function for capital-intensive agencies, covering infrastructure asset management and long-term investment planning.”

The Government has agreed to support all sixteen of the Commission’s recommendations (three in principle, with further work to be done). In addition to the work already underway, the Government has agreed to four further actions.

The Government will review the land transport funding system.

“The Government agrees with the problems identified by the Commission with investment, pricing and delivery settings in land transport. The new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) will review the system and develop proposals, to be publicly consulted on by June 2028 (as recommended in the Plan),” Mr Bishop says.

2. The Government will legislate for departments and Crown Entities to publish long-term investment plans and to report on asset management

“The Government is determined to lift the quality of long-term investment planning and asset management and our view is that legislation is ultimately required to help fix this problem. Legislation will be developed in 2027 and involve amendments to the Public Finance Act and Crown Entities Act.”

3. The Government will require infrastructure providers to maintain up-to-date data in the National Infrastructure Pipeline and strengthen data quality over time

“Comprehensive information about current and future projects is very valuable. In the short-term, the Government will require all central government agencies to participate in the National Infrastructure Pipeline. The Commission will be able to set standards for data inputs. The Commission will also be undertaking further work to assess options for strengthening the Pipeline mandate through legislation, including a framework for providers to create, collate, store and supply information.”

4. The Government will take a series of actions to strengthen public sector project leadership

“Success in public infrastructure depends heavily on the capability of project leaders. The Public Service Commission and Infrastructure Commission will be jointly developing a professional standard for public sector leadership, building a cross-agency directory of Senior Responsible Owners, and establishing a nationally recognised professional benchmark for critical leadership roles.

“The Government’s Response to the Plan will be tabled in Parliament this week and I intend to ask Parliament’s Business Committee to hold a special debate in Parliament so all parties can discuss it,” Mr Bishop says.

“I would like to thank the Infrastructure Commission, particularly Chief Executive Geoff Cooper, for their hard work in preparing this excellent blueprint for New Zealand’s infrastructure future.”

Notes to editors:

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/government-responds-to-infrastructure-plan/

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2. Environmental Reporting Act legislation introduced

June 16, 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has introduced legislation to change New Zealand’s outdated environmental reporting regime and improve decision-making on the country’s environmental considerations.

“This legislation will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our environmental reporting, and give decision-makers and the public clearer, more useful information about the state of New Zealand’s environment,” Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says.

Full Coverage

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has introduced legislation to change New Zealand’s outdated environmental reporting regime and improve decision-making on the country’s environmental considerations.

The changes involve amending the Environmental Reporting Act 2015, to improve data quality, make information more accessible, relevant and timely.

“These changes are necessary because the current reporting regime is inflexible and has become inefficient. They will ensure reports better support the government to make effective and informed decisions about the environment and environmental impacts,” Ms Grigg says.

“Alongside the Government’s recent $61 million investment over four years in environmental data to implement the new planning system, we’re introducing a new priorities report to identify the most critical areas for investment and give the science sector, councils, and central government clearer guidance about where the gaps are and set priorities for addressing them.”

The amendments also include reducing the frequency of a comprehensive state of the environment report from three-yearly to every six years, and routine environmental reporting from six-monthly to annually – timeframes better suited to tracking environmental change and providing more meaningful insights.

“A fit-for-purpose Environmental Reporting Act 2015 will serve as an important statutory and stewardship foundation for the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, ensuring that New Zealand continues to have a valuable, independent, evidence-based environmental reporting program informing decision-making,” Ms Grigg says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/environmental-reporting-act-legislation-introduced/

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3. Fixing the basics with a statutory spring clean

June 16, 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 150 outdated and obsolete laws are likely to be repealed as part of the Government’s statutory spring clean, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.

The legislative cleanup is being run in stages led by the Parliamentary Counsel Office, alongside the Department of Internal Affairs for local Acts. To date, 152 outdated Acts have been identified for repeal.

Full Coverage

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 150 outdated and obsolete laws are likely to be repealed as part of the Government’s statutory spring clean, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.

“Part of being a responsible Government focused on fixing the basics is making sure New Zealand’s laws are fit for purpose,” Mr Bishop says.

“New Zealand’s statute book is full of fascinating relics from another era.

“Some are historically important. Some are genuinely bizarre. And quite a few are technically still in force despite almost nobody realising they still exist.

“We’ve got layer upon layer of legislation dating back more than 150 years – a legal lasagne, if you will.”

“Roughly half of all Acts still technically in force were passed between 1840 and the 1960s, and many are now obsolete. That creates confusion, unnecessary complexity, and occasionally some very odd situations.

“One example is the Wellington Milk-Supply Act 1919, which established a council-controlled licensing regime for milk vendors in the capital, and makes it illegal to sell skim milk within the city boundaries.

“Like the milk it regulates, this law has aged badly,” Mr Bishop says.

“The law is so old and obscure that Wellington City Council was almost dragged into court in 2021 after a lawyer, Tyrone Barugh, asked it to issue a milk licence under the Act. The Council and Mr Barugh avoided the matter going to court on the basis that they would work together to encourage the Government to repeal the Act for legal certainty.”

Other laws proposed for repeal include the Dunedin City Fish-markets and Empowering Act 1918, which allowed the Dunedin City Council to engage in the fish trade and also buy and sell sheep.

“Dunedin City Council no longer operates a fish market or trades livestock as far as I’m aware, so we can probably put this one out to pasture.

“Repealing legislation doesn’t erase history.

“These Acts remain permanently accessible on the New Zealand Legislation website as part of New Zealand’s legal and historical record.

“Many of them tell important stories about New Zealand’s past.

“An example is the Kaitangata Relief Fund Transfer Act 1892, which followed one of New Zealand’s earliest industrial disasters in 1879 when an explosion at the Kaitangata mine killed 34 miners. Public donations raised money for the widows and children of those killed, with the remaining surplus later transferred into a mining accident fund through the Act.”

Other Acts capture the history of long-standing New Zealand organisations and institutions.

The Caledonian Society Of Otago Incorporation Ordinance 1874 incorporated what became New Zealand’s oldest Scottish society, famous for organising Highland Games in Dunedin for more than 150 years before winding up in 2021.

The Joint Council of the Order of St John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society Incorporation Act 1938 formalised cooperation between the two organisations during an earlier era of New Zealand public service and emergency response.

“The point of this project isn’t to wipe away history,” Mr Bishop says.

“It’s about making New Zealand law easier to navigate and easier to understand, while preserving these stories for future generations.”

Note to editors:

Each Act identified for repeal is carefully reviewed and consulted on with relevant organisations, agencies, councils, and stakeholders. Public consultation on the 152 Acts identified for repeal is open now, and closes on 31 July 2026. Consultation on another round of Acts is planned for later in 2026.

Following consultation, public submissions will be reviewed to confirm the Acts are suitable for repeal. The Parliamentary Counsel Office will then draft a Bill to repeal the Acts. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament and go through the full parliamentary process including select committee scrutiny. This will provide the public another opportunity to make submissions.

More information, including how to make a submission, is available on the Legislation Repeals Project page.

List of Acts identified for repeal

Local Acts

Public Acts

Private Acts

Provincial Acts

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/fixing-the-basics-with-a-statutory-spring-clean/

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4. Political Overreach – Minister’s attack on Medical Council sets dangerous precedent

June 16, 2026

MIL OSI

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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Health Minister Simeon Brown’s decision to remove and replace Medical Council leadership sets a dangerous precedent around political interference with independent regulators, says the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).

The Minister has reportedly declined the Medical Council’s recommendation to reappoint Dr Rachelle Love as chair and Simon Watt as deputy-chair.

“The minister’s decision is an unprecedented hit job,” says ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton. “He appears to have ousted them because he didn’t like the council talking about cultural competency for doctors.”

“Cultural competency is rooted in patient safety and treating people with respect. This is core Medical Council business. Suggesting to doctors that it isn’t important is a direct attempt by a politician to intervene in clinical standards.”

ASMS is also deeply concerned by proposed changes to the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act, which would allow ministers to direct independent regulators to implement government policy.

“This approach could leave us in a situation where medical standards chop and change with every new Government,” Dalton warns.

“It also sends a worrying signal to other regulators: if you don’t do what the Minister wants, your people will be replaced.”

ASMS maintains that medical regulation must be non-partisan and accountable to patients first, not politicians.

“Rather than attacking an independent health regulator, the Minister’s time would be better spent fixing our medical workforce shortages and retaining doctors who are leaving for Australia,” Dalton says.

MIL OSI

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5. Workplace Safety – Stand with Pike joins NZISM campaign to stop law changes that make workplaces more dangerous

June 16, 2026

MIL OSI

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Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

– Select committee fails to heed widespread concerns about Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill

– Bill due to be reported back today by Education and Workforce Committee

– Campaign to stop Bill launched today

Stand with Pike campaigners Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne have joined with the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management in an urgent, last-ditch campaign to stop the Government pressing ahead with law changes that make workplaces more dangerous.

The Education and Workforce Committee is due to report the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill back to Parliament today and be debated in Parliament next week at its Second Reading. NZISM understands only minor changes have been made despite an overwhelming majority of business groups, health and safety experts, unions and others opposing the Bill.

“This will be a huge setback to efforts to turn around our appalling health and safety record, so we are grateful for the support of Sonya and Anna from Stand with Pike – they know, more than anyone else, that we can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said Mike Cosman, NZISM law reform spokesperson.

“We urge MPs to heed their concerns, learn the lessons from Pike and vote this Bill down.”

Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse are lending their voices to a social media campaign launched today by NZISM.

“We are heartbroken to see the Government persist with this Bill. We believe that it will cost lives. The lessons from the Pike River tragedy have been forgotten,” said Anna Osborne

“Today Stand with Pike and NZISM are launching a campaign to remind politicians across Parliament of the human cost of bad lawmaking. The message of the campaign is simple: Vote this Bill down or send it back to Select Committee for major revision,” said Sonya Rockhouse.

Mike Cosman said there were many problems with the Bill which would not lead to better health and safety outcomes or make it easier for businesses to comply. Indeed, many across the health and safety system believe it will result in more harm and cost to ACC and employers. New Zealand’s fatality rate is 1.7 x that of Australia and 6.5 x that of the UK. The cost of workplace death and injuries is conservatively estimated at $5.4 billion a year. The Bill will increase this cost if passed.

The major problems centre on small businesses being carved out of the new regime;

– The Bill would exempt 97% of New Zealand businesses from having a legal duty to manage many of their most significant risks (the non-critical ones).

– Small businesses have a 24% higher injury rate than large firms. Carving them out makes no sense.

– The main risks that workers in those businesses would no longer be protected against are musculoskeletal risks (e.g. ergonomics, slips and falls) and psychosocial risks (mental health, stress, workload, working hours). These are the number 1 and 2 causes of workplace harm in New Zealand.

– ACC strongly opposes the carve out for musculoskeletal risks because they pay out more than $3.6 billion every year for such injuries in small businesses. Reducing protections is likely to cost hundreds of millions more and cause huge suffering.

“At a basic level workers would no longer have to be provided with safety boots or gloves as hand and foot injuries are not classed as critical. That’s ridiculous,” said Mike Cosman.

“No other country in the world takes this indifferent approach to the health and safety of workers in small businesses. It will cost lives and livelihoods. The likely direct costs to ACC alone make a mockery of this Government’s claims of fiscal discipline and these costs will ultimately be passed on to businesses and taxpayers.”

Stand with Pike urges MPs to listen.

“Our message is simple: Those who can’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. We have learned the lessons of Pike River and deregulation of health and safety with the deaths of 29 good men. This Bill should be stopped in its tracks,” said Anna Osbourne.

Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse lost their husband and son respectively in the explosion at Pike River Mine. Along with the other Pike River families and supporters They have been campaigning for safe workplaces ever since.

Mike Cosman is the NZISM Law Reform Spokesperson. He is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on workplace health and safety. Mike has 46+ years’ experience as a regulator, policy maker, manager and consultant. Mike was a member of the Government-commissioned Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety in 2013.

MIL OSI

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6. Longstanding defence deployments extended

June 16, 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has approved two-year extensions for five existing international New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployments, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Chris Penk announced today.

“For years, New Zealand has worked with our partners to contribute to international peace and security efforts. As the global security situation continues to deteriorate, we are committed to continuing our longstanding efforts to promote stability in our region and beyond because New Zealand’s prosperity relies on our success,” Mr Peters says.

Full Coverage

Source: New Zealand Government

“These deployments will see more than 100 NZDF personnel as well as ship and aircraft crews serving alongside our partners to undertake numerous peacekeeping, monitoring and security missions from locations in the Middle East and North Asia,” Mr Penk says.

Up to 51 personnel will contribute to the United Nations Command (UNC) and its Military Armistice Commission in the Republic of Korea. The NZDF has contributed to the UNC and its Military Armistice Commission since 1998, and this deployment has been extended until 30 September 2028.

The NZDF’s contribution of up to 28 personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) has been extended until 30 September 2028. The MFO, based in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, supports implementation of the Egypt-Israel Treaty of Peace. New Zealand has contributed to the MFO for more than 40 years.

Up to 14 personnel will contribute to New Zealand’s long-standing commitments to Middle East maritime security efforts, for a further two years until 30 June 2028.

This contributes to well-established multinational coalitions, supporting efforts to counter smuggling, piracy, terrorism and illegal unregulated and unreported fishing. New Zealand has been contributing to these efforts since the mid-1990s.

New Zealand will continue to contribute eight NZDF personnel to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in the Middle East for a further two years until 30 September 2028. UNTSO personnel are deployed across Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, to monitor regional ceasefires, and supervise armistice agreements in the region. New Zealand has contributed to this mission since 1954, making it New Zealand’s longest-running deployment.

Three personnel, and crews aboard New Zealand air and naval assets will take part in North Korea sanctions monitoring, operating out of Japan, helping to detect activities that contravene United Nations Security Council sanctions. New Zealand has contributed to UN sanctions monitoring – by air and sea – since 2018. This deployment has been extended until 30 September 2028.

“Longstanding deployments like these show our willingness to step up on the world stage and contribute to collective security. They also provide our personnel with opportunities to use their skills and experience and increase interoperability,” Mr Penk says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/longstanding-defence-deployments-extended/

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7. Funding to investigate historic mine impacts

June 16, 2026

Source: New Zealand Government

The environmental impacts of a former mine site on conservation land in the Marlborough Sounds are being investigated for remediation, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced today.

“The Endeavour Inlet site was mined for antimony, a metal used in a range of industrial applications, between the 1870s and early 1900s, leaving waste rock behind in parts of the site,” Ms Grigg says.

Full Coverage

Source: New Zealand Government

The Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation (DOC) are each contributing $232,000 to the two-year project, enabling DOC to undertake a detailed site investigation and remediation planning.

“The investigation will assess the risk of contaminants and material from the mine in the scenic reserve and surrounding environment, and inform mitigation options for the soil, water, and ecology,” Ms Grigg says.

“The potential impacts of sea level rise will also be considered as part of the site, 27km northwest of Picton, is located on the margin of Endeavour Inlet.”

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the site is within a well-used recreational and coastal environment.

“The Queen Charlotte Track crosses the valley flats near the Endeavour Inlet shoreline, and is used by a high number of hikers and bikers annually. A stream flows from the valley into the Inlet, which is surrounded by holiday homes and lodges, and shellfish are also harvested in the area.

“The project will identify if stabilisation or safety work is required – including to protect heritage features, and will ensure that identified risks are understood and managed in a way that protects the environment so everyone can continue to enjoy this special area,” Mr Potaka says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/funding-to-investigate-historic-mine-impacts/

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8. Infrastructure Commission welcomes Government response to National Infrastructure Plan

June 16, 2026

MIL OSI

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Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, says the Government’s formal response to the National Infrastructure Plan marks a new phase for New Zealand’s infrastructure system.

“In launching the Plan earlier this year, we said New Zealand needed to do things differently to deliver the infrastructure we need to thrive over the next 30 years,” says Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive of Te Waihanga.

“The Government’s response today, accepting the case for change and confirming the direction of reform, is a step in the right direction in improving performance and getting better value for money from our infrastructure.

Today’s response formally addresses each of the 16 recommendations and 10 priority areas in the Plan. Thirteen of the 16 recommendations are fully supported and the remaining three supported in principle. Action on some of the recommendations is already underway.

“Work with the Treasury is well underway to build a new assurance process for central government infrastructure investment. This will be in place on 1 November,” says Cooper.

As well as the new investor assurance process for central government infrastructure projects, Te Waihanga will be working with Treasury to deliver a new assurance process for asset management in central government.

“The National Infrastructure Plan focuses on lifting New Zealand’s performance in asset management. Much of the infrastructure we will need over the next 30 years already exists,” says Cooper.

“While high-quality asset management doesn’t always hit the headlines, it matters because visibility of asset performance and future investment needs means better decisions.”

Te Waihanga is also supporting work to lift project leadership capability, grow the coverage of the National Infrastructure Pipeline for greater coordination across the sector, and leverage its Forward Guidance as a tool for investment planning.

“We’re encouraged that many organisations have programmes underway to progress the recommendations and priority actions. These include work to reform the resource management system and set up integrated spatial planning and national standards, network infrastructure providers applying new user-based pricing models like volumetric water charging for water and time of use charging on busy roads, and Auckland Council’s decisions to support upzoning and opportunities for housing development around major passenger transport routes.

“These steps will help shape a clearer, more practical and affordable infrastructure system. They come at a time when the need for change is clear, helping us adapt to the needs of our changing population, the growing risks posed by natural hazards, the drive to decarbonise our economy and the opportunities created by new technologies,” says Cooper.

“The approach set out in the National Infrastructure Plan will help to safeguard the infrastructure services that we rely on every day, so they continue to work for future generations.”

Notes:

– Te Waihanga presented the National Infrastructure Plan to the Government in December 2025 and publicly released it in February 2026.

– The Government is required to publish a formal response within 180 days of receiving the National Infrastructure Plan, being June 2026.

– Learn more here Government responds to National Infrastructure Plan | News & events | Te Waihanga

MIL OSI

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9. Key decisions and updates from Environment Canterbury’s May Council meeting

June 16, 2026

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date: 28 May 2026

From fish screen concerns and local government reform to staff wellbeing and governance updates, Councillors discussed a range of regional issues at Environment Canterbury’s May Council meeting in Christchurch.

Full Coverage

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date: 28 May 2026

Public Forum

The meeting opened with a presentation from Paul Hodgson, on behalf of the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association.

Paul spoke about fish screen facilities along the Rakaia River – he acknowledged it was a similar presentation to the one he gave a year ago about the Waimakariri River.

He was supported in an impassioned presentation by Kevin Boucher and Peter Trolove, who provided video evidence of the ineffectiveness of many fish screening facilities on the Rakaia River and urged Environment Canterbury to take relevant compliance action.

Council thanked the presenters for their efforts and their dedication and agreed to respond to their concerns as soon as possible.

Simplifying Local Government reference group

Council considered its initial response to the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reforms announced on 5 May 2026. The reforms include a voluntary “Head Start” pathway enabling district and city councils to propose new unitary authority structures by August 2026.

To respond at pace to this compressed timeline, Council approved the establishment of a time-limited response reference group.. The group will include Councillors Lamont, Megan McKay, Sunckell, Campbell and Mackenzie.

Its purpose is to support a coordinated, agile governance response, particularly in engaging with territorial authorities and informing their proposals for Canterbury region. It is a strictly advisory group, with no delegated authority or decision-making powers. Formal positions, decisions and engagement will remain with Council or relevant committees.

Insight into staff wellbeing and experience

Council received the 2026 Kōrero Mai staff survey results, providing insights into organisational performance and staff experience.

Participation was strong at 80.7 per cent, well above the local government benchmark. With an overall score of 64 per cent, results showed a 2 per cent improvement on 2025.

Governance matters

Council also ran through several operational matters during the meeting, including updated terms of reference for Core Service Leads, as well as some amendments to the frequency of committee meetings. They also received an update on the status of various resolutions previously made by the Council.

Council meeting recording: See the full discussions, presentations and decisions from the May 2026 Canterbury Regional Council meeting.

Watch the meeting recording

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/key-decisions-and-updates-from-environment-canterburys-may-council-meeting/

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10. Parliamentary Budget Office clearly needed ahead of election

June 16, 2026

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has written to the National and Labour finance spokespeople urging support for an independent Parliamentary Budget Office to cost political commitments and lift the standard of public debate.

“Over the past few weeks we’ve watched parties fight over the costings of each other’s promises, leaving voters guessing whose numbers are right, instead of having an informed debate on the merits of the policy,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

Full Coverage

Source: Green Party

“A Parliamentary Budget Office would serve the public interest by giving people an independent, trusted basis for that debate.”

“Right now, New Zealanders are asked to weigh up competing promises with no independent, consistent way to check whether the numbers add up.”

“Independent costings running the ruler across all parties would give people the information they need to engage with the choices in front of them, and hold all of us accountable for what we promise.”

“The Finance Minister has backed a Parliamentary Budget Office before. The votes exist in this Parliament to make it a reality before the election, even if only National and the Greens agree, but we see an obvious opportunity to get Labour around the table as well for sustainable, long-term, cross-partisan support.”

“Aotearoa is better served when our democracy runs on transparency rather than guesswork and allegations,” says Swarbrick.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/16/parliamentary-budget-office-clearly-needed-ahead-of-election/

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