Among 16 comparable countries, no other country has shrunk its public health expenditure as a percentage of GDP to the extent New Zealand has.
Articles on NZ Budget 2026
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Budget 2026 spends $503 million on expanding prisons. But 41% of the prison population are people on remand and more than half are released once their case is heard.
Budget 2026 offered useful support for small firms. But building blocks are not the same as a productivity blueprint.
Some new spending initiatives in health should add value, but the budget lacks a long-term vision for building cross-party consensus on improving healthcare.
Budget 2026 increases road spending – while offering limited support for public transport, emissions cuts and climate resilience.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis forecasts an earlier-than-expected return to surplus in an unsurprisingly no-frills budget.
National hasn’t achieved two of its three big fiscal policy promises from the previous election. Thursday’s budget will be a hard sell.
Higher inflation, tighter operating allowances and rising geopolitical uncertainty are turning this year’s budget into a test of national priorities.
The government’s sweeping overhaul assumes AI, restructuring and job cuts can deliver a leaner, more efficient state. That is far from certain.
Most vision loss is preventable, yet many New Zealanders can’t afford care. Following Australia’s public funding model could cut costs and reduce inequities.
Top contributors
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Research Fellow, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Associate Professor in Eye Health Equity, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Professor of Public Policy , Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Professor of Public Administration, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Associate Professor in Public Management and Policy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Lecturer in Economics, University of Waikato
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Research Associate, Public Policy Institute, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Professor of Economics, University of Waikato
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Executive Dean, Bond Business School, Bond University
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Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Associate Professor in Criminology, Auckland University of Technology
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Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Adjunct Professor of Health Policy and Management, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Visiting Scholar in History, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington