30 Jan 2025

Treasury's chief economist on the state of the books

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 30 January 2025
Rear view of seniors walking in park

Photo: 123rf

The government says driving economic growth is it's number one priority. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver her second budget on May 22, promising "bold steps to support economic growth, including measures to address New Zealand's long-standing productivity challenges."

However Treasury has pointed out the now structural deficit in the government's books is currently set to be addressed by cuts to per-person spending virtually unprecedented in modern times. Looking beyond the immediate challenges, Treasury is warning pressure on future governments' budgets, from demographic change,  has worsened on projections from ten or twenty years ago. 

Kathryn speaks with Treasury's Chief Economics adviser Dominick Stephens.