29 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
219 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced that New Zealand’s updated pre-election economic forecast shows stronger growth, smaller deficits, bigger surpluses, reduced debt, and rising wages outpacing inflation. The improved outlook is attributed to households and businesses performing better than expected, resulting in increased tax revenue and lower government borrowing, which frees up funds for public priorities and strengthens resilience against global uncertainties. Willis emphasized the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline and cautious spending to sustain this positive trajectory amid ongoing international risks.
09 Sep 2026
1 month ago
446 views
David McClatchy has been reappointed for three years as a member of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, which manages the NZ Superannuation Fund and Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund valued at $94.4 billion. His extensive experience in investment management and governance contributes to the board’s stability, leadership, and expertise during a period of economic uncertainty. The reappointment reflects the Government’s commitment to strong governance and robust investment performance to grow New Zealand’s sovereign wealth funds for future generations.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
454 views
The Reserve Bank raised the Official Cash Rate to 2.75% and expects the economic recovery to strengthen and broaden, supported by a resilient export sector and increased household spending. Inflation is anticipated to return to the mid-point of the target range, boosting purchasing power. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the assessment, highlighting the economy's resilience amid global challenges and the export-driven nature of the recovery.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
495 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the Reserve Bank’s assessment that the economic recovery is resuming and expected to broaden, highlighted by a 0.25 basis point increase in the Official Cash Rate to 2.75 percent. The Reserve Bank anticipates a strengthening recovery driven by a resilient export sector, increased household spending, and rising purchasing power as inflation moves toward the target range. Willis emphasized the economy’s resilience amid global challenges and noted that this recovery is export-led rather than reliant on rising house prices, offering a positive outlook despite ongoing difficulties.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
468 views
New legislation will allow farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing rules that previously excluded rural workers from first-home withdrawals. The bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver funds for farms owned through companies, trusts, or partnerships they control, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. These changes aim to make homeownership fairer and reduce debt for rural workers, enabling them to own property alongside their work.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
537 views
New legislation allows farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing previous rules that excluded rural workers required to live on-site. The KiwiSaver (First Home or Farm) Amendment Bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use their savings when purchasing a farm through a majority-owned company, trust, or partnership, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. This change aims to make farm ownership more accessible, reducing debt for new owners and recognizing the contributions of rural workers.
31 Aug 2026
1 month ago
511 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed S&P’s affirmation of New Zealand’s AA+ credit rating with a stable outlook, highlighting the agency’s confidence in the economy and government fiscal management. S&P forecasts 2.5% economic growth by June next year and praises New Zealand’s monetary policy flexibility, low net debt, and strong institutions, despite some external imbalances and fiscal deficits. The agency also acknowledges government actions like tax reductions and investment incentives aimed at reducing the deficit and revitalizing the economy, supporting a positive outlook for job creation and fiscal surplus.
07 Aug 2026
2 months ago
727 views
The New Zealand Government has entered binding agreements to monetise $642 million of interest-free loans provided to Chorus for fibre broadband rollout, generating net proceeds of approximately $702 million. This early monetisation enables reinvestment in critical infrastructure projects such as roads, hospitals, and schools, supporting economic growth and addressing the country's infrastructure deficit. The transaction does not affect Chorus ownership or services and reflects the Government’s commitment to disciplined public finances and strategic infrastructure investment.
27 Jul 2026
3 months ago
668 views
Over 97,500 New Zealand families have received FamilyBoost payments, which were expanded last year to increase the rebate from 25% to 40%, raise the maximum weekly payment to $120, and extend eligibility to households earning up to $229,000 annually. These changes have resulted in a 70% increase in average payments, helping over 12,000 families each quarter to better manage early childhood education costs and balance work and family life. The government encourages eligible families to register for FamilyBoost, emphasizing its role in supporting working parents and strengthening the economy by easing childcare cost pressures.
21 Jul 2026
3 months ago
663 views
Today’s inflation rate of 4.1% is largely driven by a global oil price shock, with petrol and diesel prices rising significantly, while core inflation remains within the Reserve Bank's target range. Finance Minister Nicola Willis emphasizes the Government’s prudent response, including targeted support for those most affected by fuel costs and maintaining fiscal discipline to avoid exacerbating inflation. Despite global volatility, New Zealand’s economy is projected to grow steadily with job creation and wages outpacing inflation, supporting long-term affordability and resilience.
02 Jul 2026
3 months ago
872 views
The latest government accounts reveal stronger-than-expected core Crown revenue and lower expenses, indicating an improving economy. Corporate tax revenue rose by $700 million, reflecting increased business profitability, and the deficit was $3 billion lower than forecast. Despite recent challenges like the Middle East conflict, economic indicators such as falling oil prices, rising business confidence, and increased exports suggest the economy is regaining momentum.
28 May 2026
5 months ago
946 views
The New Zealand Government plans to contribute $3.1 billion to the Superannuation Fund over the next four years, an increase of $2.2 billion due to updated population and inflation forecasts. The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation have lowered their expected long-term returns from 7.8% to 7.2%, reflecting anticipated weaker global equity market performance. Contributions will continue until 2054, with superannuation costs projected to rise from $24.7 billion to $31.2 billion by 2029/30 as the population ages.
28 May 2026
5 months ago
956 views
Budget 2026 focuses on responsible fiscal management by boosting funding for essential services and investing in critical infrastructure to support New Zealand’s future growth without increasing debt. It aims to strengthen the economy with projected growth, falling unemployment, rising wages, and a return to surplus by 2028/29, enabling targeted support for households affected by rising costs. The Budget also advances reforms in energy, planning, and public services to improve affordability, resilience, and economic opportunities for New Zealanders.
30 Apr 2026
5 months ago
1094 views
The Reserve Bank’s new Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) charter enhances transparency and accountability by publicly disclosing individual members' votes when consensus is not reached and attributing material differences in views. It also relaxes restrictions on MPC members' external communication while ensuring equal access to information, aiming to improve public understanding of monetary policy decisions. The committee will review these changes after 12 months to assess their effectiveness in supporting clear communication and transparency.
22 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1022 views
The New Zealand Government is reforming its Investment Management System to improve infrastructure project selection by consolidating assurance processes, shifting project assurance responsibility from Treasury to the independent NZ Infrastructure Commission, and enhancing ministerial oversight. These changes aim to provide Ministers with clearer, expert, and actionable advice to make informed "go/no go" decisions, ensuring projects meet public needs, represent value for money, and are deliverable. The reforms also introduce standardized assessments, strengthen asset management assurance, and seek to reduce project delays and inefficiencies, ultimately delivering better infrastructure outcomes for New Zealanders.