Finance News & Articles
Treasury Report: Pitfalls of Excessive Government Spending Exposed
3 days ago | 149 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis highlights Treasury's report on the dangers of excessive government spending, emphasizing the challenges of using large spending measures in response to one-off shocks like the Covid-19 pandemic. The report criticizes the fiscal response to Covid, pointing out significant errors made and urging policymakers to avoid repeating those mistakes. It emphasizes the importance of restoring fiscal guardrails promptly after increased spending during crises, praising the current Government's commitment to responsible fiscal and economic management.
Tags: Treasury report government spending Finance Minister Nicola Willis fiscal policy economic shocks Labour government fiscal responseFinance Minister Nicola Willis Reacts to Lower Than Forecast Unemployment Rates
4 days ago | 135 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has acknowledged the latest labour market data, revealing a lower-than-expected unemployment rate of 5.2% for the June quarter, below the Treasury's forecast of 5.4%. Despite challenges like inflation and rising interest rates, the government's efforts have led to 8,000 fewer unemployed individuals than initially projected, with a focus on economic recovery and job creation through initiatives like government-funded construction projects and investment incentives. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in average hourly earnings by 4.5% in the past year, surpassing the inflation rate of 2.7%.
Tags: labour market unemployment Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Treasury forecast economic management inflation interest rates job creationKiwibank Empowered to Challenge Big Four Aussie Banks with $500M Capital Boost
1 week ago | 255 viewsKiwibank has been authorized to enhance its competition with the dominant Australian-owned banks in New Zealand's banking sector by raising up to $500 million in capital for growth. This move is aimed at enabling Kiwibank to better compete with the big four Australian banks while preserving its New Zealand identity. The government has approved measures to ensure Kiwibank's New Zealand identity, including maintaining majority government ownership and requiring key operational aspects to remain in New Zealand.
Tags: Kiwibank Nicola Willis Finance Minister Commerce Commission New Zealand Kiwi Group Capital Māori institutions New Zealand KiwiSaver funds stock marketNew Zealand Bans Surcharges to Save Millions: Commerce Minister's Decision
1 week ago | 490 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the axing of surcharges to benefit New Zealanders financially. The move aims to eliminate the hassle and unexpected costs shoppers face at the checkout. By banning surcharges for in-store payments by May 2026, consumers can shop confidently without being penalized for their payment method choice.
Tags: surcharges money Kiwis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson New Zealanders ban payments fees Commerce CommissionFinance Minister Nicola Willis: Inflation Under Control as Govt Focuses on Economic Growth
2 weeks ago | 304 viewsNew data released by Stats NZ today shows inflation at 2.7 per cent for the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter, remaining within the Reserve Bank's target range, according to Finance Minister Nicola Willis. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of inflation being within the target range, contrasting with previous higher rates under the previous government. Local authority rates and payments were noted as the largest contributor to annual inflation, prompting the government to call for better management to keep rates under control and ensure economic growth for job creation and public services funding.
Tags: inflation Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Consumers Price Index Reserve Bank New Zealanders council rates local authority rates economic growth New ZealandNew Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance: Fighting Online Financial Scams Together
1 month ago | 364 viewsImportant progress in the fight against online financial scams has been made with the launch of a new initiative between government, industry and consumer groups, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says. “It is unacceptable that so many Kiwis are swindled by scammers every day,” Mr Simpson says. “Some reports suggest scams cost the economy up to $2 billion annually, and it is crucial we get on top of the problem.
Tags: online financial scams government industry consumer groups Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis scams AllianceNew Zealand’s Stable Economy: Government’s Fiscal Management Keeps Official Cash Rate Low
1 month ago | 378 viewsThe Government’s responsible fiscal management has supported the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today announced it would keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3. 25 per cent while continuing to foreshadow further reductions in the OCR.
Tags: Government fiscal management Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate Finance Minister Nicola Willis New Zealand OCR interest rates economic managementSimplified Process: New Reforms Make Opening Bank Accounts for Children Easier
1 month ago | 534 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is making changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children. “Opening a bank account for children should be a simple and positive step toward teaching them the value of saving. Unfortunately, regulations designed to prevent serious crimes can make the process unnecessarily difficult,” says Mrs McKee.
Tags: Nicole McKee Minister bank accounts children regulations reforms banks New Zealanders red tapeFamilyBoost Program Enhancements Bring Financial Relief to Thousands of Households
1 month ago | 390 viewsTens of thousands of households will be better off thanks to changes being made to FamilyBoost to help families with the cost of living, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “From the start of this month, families will get larger FamilyBoost rebates on the early childhood education fees they pay, with rebates increasing from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of weekly fees, and those with household incomes of up to $229,000 now eligible to apply. “This means for example that a family with early childhood fees of $100 a week could have their weekly FamilyBoost payment increased from $25 a week to $40 a week, meaning their annual payments would increase from $1,300 to $2,080 over the course of a year, making them hundreds of dollars better off.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FamilyBoost households families cost of living early childhood education rebates scheme Inland RevenueFormer Acting Governor Grant Spencer and Byron Pepper Appointed to Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board, One Vacancy Remains
1 month ago | 480 viewsFormer Acting Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced. Board member Byron Pepper has been reappointed. Both are on five-year terms, beginning today.
Tags: Grant Spencer Nicola Willis Byron Pepper Reserve Bank of New Zealand Financial StabilityParliament Passes Legislation to Establish Invest New Zealand for Economic Growth and Innovation
1 month ago | 512 viewsParliament has today passed legislation to formally establish Invest New Zealand, clearing the way for the new investment attraction agency to begin operations on 1 July 2025. “This marks a major step in the Government’s plan to grow the economy by attracting more international capital, businesses and talent into New Zealand,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says. “Invest New Zealand will have a clear commercial focus—working directly with global investors to unlock opportunities that create jobs, boost innovation, and lift our long-term productivity.
Tags: Government Invest new zealand Investment New zealand Rob morrison Todd mcclayNew Zealand's Path to Economic Growth: Easing Investment for Businesses and Higher Wages
1 month ago | 563 viewsAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the passing of first reading for a Bill to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament today. “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long.
Tags: Amendment bill David seymour New zealand Overseas investment ( national interest test and other matters Seymour ZealandAccelerated Overseas Investment Decision-Making: Minister's Directive Leads to Efficiency Gains
1 month ago | 532 viewsAssociate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged to see overseas investment decisions being made twice as fast following his Ministerial directive letter (the letter) to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). “Last year I issued a Ministerial directive letter setting out my expectations for faster consent processing timeframes under the Overseas Investment Act (the Act),” Mr Seymour says. “The letter set my expectation that LINZ, the regulator for the Act, will process 80 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframes for decisions.
Tags: David seymour Finance Land information new zealand National New zealand Overseas investment act SeymourEconomic surprise great news for Kiwis
1 month ago | 584 viewsToday’s surprise economic result is great news for workers, families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said today. “Stats NZ reported today that the economy grew 0. 8 per cent in the first three months of the year, twice the rate forecast by the Treasury and the Reserve Bank a short time ago.
Tags: New zealand Nicola willis Reserve bank Stats nz TreasuryGoing for growth with more overseas investment
1 month ago | 380 viewsAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the introduction of legislation to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House. “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long.
Tags: Amendment bill David seymour National interest test New zealand Other matters Overseas investment ( Seymour Zealand