Politics
'Feel free to boo': Greens slam Luxon for 'flawed' Budget 2026
Public agencies must trim spending by 12% over the next three years.
Latest from Budget
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Fair trade? Fees-free scrapped to make way for trade school opportunities
Trades Academy places will double to 20,000 over the next four years.
Defence spending surges in Budget as Willis warns of unsafe world
Intelligence agencies received a 20% boost.
'Unfair to other New Zealanders': Watts defends new shareholder loan tax
Simon Watts says unpaid shareholder loans are effectively personal income.
Govt injects $1.77b to extend Waikato Expressway, but Labour cites 'alarming' cost jump
The four-lane 16km expressway will connect the Waikato Expressway to SH29 at Piarere.
Nicola Willis directs banks not to pass levy costs onto customers
She told the Herald the banks do well for themselves. Video / Mark Mitchell
Where your money goes - who's up, who's down in govt department spending
Use the Herald's two interactive graphics to see the Budget's winners and losers.
'It seems sensible': Consumer NZ backs Govt levy on profitable banks
The prudential levy is expected to raise $209m over the next four years.
Watch: The personal side of Nicola Willis’ Budget 2026 delivery
The Finance Minister paused her Budget 2026 speech for a moving tribute to her family.
'Previous Governments let it rot': Peters trumpets $1b Budget funding for rail
Winston Peters says it's about putting rail assets to work once again.
Alex Martin: Under-30s 'being robbed of their future'
Eve McCallum told Herald NOW’s Budget 2026 Special she thought Finance Minister Nicola Willis had done a “great” job with today’s Budget, whereas co-host Alex Martin disagreed.
Change for new mums revealed in Budget - what extra funding means for young families
The initiative is expected to cost about $34m over four years; the start date is unknown.
Finance Minister thanks family in Budget day speech
'I know I'm not home enough.' Finance Minister Nicola Willis finishes her speech by thanking her family. Video / Parliament TV
Katie Bradford's final thoughts on the 'no surprises' budget
Katie Bradford said this Budget is looking ahead, but many Kiwis are likely to feel like it doesn’t make them any better off right now. Video / HNow
Rawiri Waititi: Budget 'really, really bad' for Māori
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told Herald NOW’s Budget 2026 Special today’s Budget is “really, really bad” for Māori.
Deputy PM David Seymour says raising age of retirement is inevitable
Deputy PM David Seymour told HNOW’s Budget 2026 Special he had been saying for years that raising the age of retirement is an inevitable.
Will you be better or worse off over next five years? Explore our financial forecasts calculator
Check the prospects for your pay, house, or future dream home.
Fran O’Sullivan and Shamubeel Eaquib discuss the 2026 Budget
Fran O’Sullivan says there is room to grow in this 'tough love' budget and Shamubeel Eaquib notes there isn't too much volatility in this budget. Video / NZ Herald
Nicola Willis announces the 2026 Budget
Nicola Willis announces the 2026 Budget from Parliament. Video / Parliament TV
Govt spends $7b on new hospitals, roads and schools. Here's where they are
The Government topped up its capital allowance ahead of Budget 2026.
Katie Bradford's top takeaways of the Budget 2026
Katie Bradford's top takeaways of the Budget 2026, says "there's no big surprises." Video / NZ Herald
The Economy of Everything: Why Luxon faces pressure to still deliver treats
Podcast: New Treasury forecasts are expected to look 'ugly' as growth slows.
People with disabilities face tough choices as transport subsidy reduction looms
More than 120,000 elderly and disabled people rely on the transport scheme.
Could KiwiSaver be Budget’s big play?
Dentons chair tips bold baby bonus scheme as potential sweetener.
Govt should have gone harder, sooner on public service cuts – former Finance Minister
Steven Joyce believes the coalition Government slowed the pace of cuts.
In a tight NZ Budget, will money go where it's needed most – or to political priorities?
OPINION: Operating budgets face a 2% cut next year, then 5% in each of two years.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks ahead of Budget release
She was visiting a printer in Petone. Video / Mark Mitchell
Further details on public sector savings to be made in HR, payroll, technology
Ten digital agency 'clusters' are targeted to be running by June 2028.
ASX volatility puts miners and banks in focus. Grant Cotty - Craigs | Herald NOW Business
Resources have helped support the Australian market during a choppy month, while investors keep a close eye on banks, interest rates and budget changes. Video| Herald NOW Business
