Budget 2026 – “Misery Budget” 2026: a crumbling house with a fresh coat of paint – Workers First Union

Source: Workers First Union Today’s Budget 2026 is a “misery Budget”, according to Workers First Union, with students, women, public servants, people with disabilities and our natural environment paying for the Government’s election-year desperation just to maintain the status quo. “This is an austerity Budget from an austerity Government, and it does not meaningfully address any … Read more

Budget 2026 – Federated Farmers welcomes investment in provincial highway resilience

Source: Federated Farmers Government investment in roading resilience in the face of an increase in severe weather events is sound thinking, Federated Farmers infrastructure spokesperson Mark Hooper says. “Federated Farmers has been calling for more funding for rural roads and key regional freight and access routes. “It’s very pleasing that in a tight Budget the Government … Read more

Budget 2026 leaves New Zealand with no plan

Source: Green Party The Green Party says Budget 2026 leaves New Zealanders fending for themselves with no vision or plan for the country. “Everyday, New Zealanders feel the reality that Luxon’s Government has no hope, no plan, no ambition and no vision for our country. Today’s Budget is yet more proof,” says Green Party Co-leader…

Government miss child poverty targets

Source: Green Party The Green Party says this year’s Budget show the Government is failing to meet child poverty targets. “This budget does nothing to lift the 100,000’s of children now living in poverty, even as the Government’s own child poverty report confirms it is not on track to meet the targets it is legally bound to hit.” …

Budget 2026 fails Māori

Source: Green Party The Green Party says Budget 2026 makes clear who this Government cares about, and it’s not Māori.  “Budget 2026 neglects its Tiriti obligations to make way for the super-rich and powerful,” says Green Party Co-leader, Marama Davidson.    “Despite the desperate need in our Māori communities, Willis has seen fit to again turn away while delivering billions of dollars for landlords, fossil fuel dependency,…

Budget 2026 confirms Luxon’s climate ‘plan’ is a trashfire

Source: Green Party Budget 2026 confirms the Government has no plan to meet our commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, at a cost that previously Treasury calculated as up to $23 billion due by 2030.  “New Zealanders have experienced 21 States of Emergency this year, which even the Prime Minister has acknowledged are inflamed by climate change. Yet, his Government continues to pour fossil fuels on the fire,” says Green…

Auckland’s emergency response space ‘stronger together’ after successful AEM-led preparedness forum

Source: Auckland Council Following on from last year’s successful event, Auckland Emergency Management hosted a second Community Civil Defence and Emergency Management Forum on 23 May at Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. Around 200 people attended the forum from across the region, including representatives from marae, community-led emergency hubs and resilience groups, elected members,…

Government Super Fund contributions increase

Source: New Zealand Government Government contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund are forecast to total $3.1 billion over the next four years, $2.2 billion more than expected at the Half Year Update in December, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “The Government’s Super Fund contributions are set by a legislated formula and rise from $562…

Breakdown lands offender in Police hands

Source: New Zealand Police A motorcyclist snapped speeding before failing to stop for Police is now facing more breakdowns than one following an early morning ride. Just before 3am the Police Eagle helicopter was in Te Atatū for an unrelated job when the crew spotted a rider travelling at nearly double the posted speed along…

Budget 2026 – A black Budget built on human misery – PSA

Source: PSA Today’s Budget makes clear the heavy price public services, and all New Zealanders will pay to make Nicola Willis’s numbers add up as she unveils deep cuts across government departments. Nearly 9000 public service workers – one in seven – face losing their jobs over the next three years as $2.4 billion is ripped … Read more

Guns, prisons, and roads Budget is another disaster for working Kiwis

Source: NZCTU Budget 2026 steals from low-income families and slashes public services, making working people and their families worse off in a cost-of-living crisis. Nicola Willis’s final Budget is a visionless one that does nothing to help working people and their families. “The Budget does nothing to secure New Zealand’s future. The government is pouring…

ECE funding to provide sector instant relief

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that financial relief for early childhood education (ECE) services will come in July 2026, instead of January 2027.  “There are few things as important to Kiwi parents as affordable and quality ECE for their children,” Mr Seymour says.  Most ECE services will receive…

Budget 2026: Securing New Zealand’s Future

Source: New Zealand Government Mr Speaker,   I move that the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time.   E ngā iwi o Te Ūpoko o te Ika.   E te Māngai, ngā Mema Pāremata o ngā rohe pōti me ngā Mema o ngā Rōpū Tōrangapū.   E te motu whānui.    Nei rā te mihi.   Anei te Tahua Rua Mano Rua Tekau mā Ono.    Kia ora e te Iwi!   To the home tribes of Wellington.    To the Speaker, electorate and party list MPs.    To the whole country.   I salute you.    Here is Budget…

Surplus forecast reduces debt burden

Source: New Zealand Government The earlier return to surplus forecast in this year’s Budget shows the benefits of disciplined economic management and a government taking its responsibilities seriously, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Treasury forecasts released today show the government’s books returning to surplus in 2028/29, a year earlier than previously expected. This means less…

A responsible Budget to secure NZ’s future

Source: New Zealand Government Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “At a time when many New Zealand families and businesses are still under pressure from higher living costs and…

Financial industry to bear the cost for regulation

Source: New Zealand Government Budget 2026 introduces a new prudential levy on banks, non‑bank deposit takers, insurers, and other financial market participants to help cover the costs of services provided by the Reserve Bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “This mirrors the approach taken by the Financial Markets Authority and the Commerce Commission which fund…

Prudent approach to fuel crisis

Source: New Zealand Government The Budget supports the Government’s prudent response to the global fuel crisis, with temporary targeted support and provision for further action if needed.  “Since the outset of the conflict, our approach has been to stay ahead of risks to New Zealand’s fuel supply, keep the economy moving, and support those most…

Budget 2026 – Investment to support a bold future for taonga Māori

Source: Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust acknowledges the Government’s $10 million investment as a significant contribution towards advancing Māori artistic excellence, artists and Māori cultural leadership on the world stage. Te Māori Trust Deputy Chair Ngātaiharuru Taepa says the investment provides support towards caring for the enduring mana and global future … Read more

Rail infrastructure fully funded

Source: New Zealand Government The Government has committed up to $1.075 billion to KiwiRail’s planned network investments between 2027-2030, alongside $106.9 million to continue critical metropolitan rail infrastructure renewals, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “New Zealanders invested sweat, blood and tears to build their national rail network, but previous…

Building a more secure future for New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government Budget 2026 demonstrates the economic and fiscal discipline needed to steer New Zealand through an uncertain global environment and into a brighter, more secure future, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Against a challenging global backdrop, we are staying the course on responsible fiscal repair while supporting economic growth to create jobs…

More resources to combat migrant exploitation

Source: New Zealand Government Budget 2026 funds more frontline teams to respond to migrant exploitation and immigration non-compliance   As part of Budget 2026, the Government is investing $18 million over four years to strengthen our response to migrant exploitation and immigration non-compliance, with three new frontline teams to respond to serious offending, protect people from…

Incentivising councils to go for housing growth

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is making a major investment to back councils that support housing growth, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. “The Incentives for Growth Fund provides both an incentive for councils to enable housing growth, and a means of…

Budget backs licenced firearm owners and improves public safety

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed Budget 2026 funding of $44.9 million to implement the new Arms Act and establish Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, the new independent firearms regulator. “This funding ensures New Zealand can deliver a fair, effective, and modern firearms system without lumping licenced firearm owners…

Improving tax rules for charities

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is improving tax rules for the charitable and not-for-profit sector to ensure fairness and resilience, Revenue Minister Simon Watts and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston say. Simon Watts says it’s important the tax rules ensure the system remains fair, credible and trusted for charities and not-for-profits. “Last…

More social homes, better targeted

Source: New Zealand Government Thousands more New Zealanders will get access to warm, dry, secure homes through Budget 2026, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. The Budget invests a further $69.2 million into the Flexible Fund to deliver between 1800 and 2250 additional social homes over three years starting from 2028/29. “This investment will deliver many…

Tax system being strengthened

Source: New Zealand Government Budget 2026 introduces tax changes to strengthen New Zealand’s tax system, encourage investment and make it easier to comply with, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “The Government is committed to driving the economic growth needed to create jobs, lift incomes and fund public services New Zealanders rely on,” Simon Watts says.…

Budget invests in Māori language and cultural capability

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is investing in te reo Māori by strengthening Māori broadcasting and supporting Māori cultural and creative capability, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. Budget 2026 sets aside $48 million over the next four years to support the long-term sustainability of Māori broadcasting by helping Māori media organisations adapt to…