Budget 2024

Budget 2024 headlines with summaries.

• First Home Grants scrapped from today

  New Zealand Politics

  22 May 2024

  

  But Housing Minister Chris Bishop has also announced $140 million in new funding for 1500 new social housing places from July next year.

  Government confirms First Home Grants to be scrapped

• Coalition confirms $24m for Gumboot Friday

  New Zealand Politics

  22 May 2024

  

  But the opposition is calling for more transparency around mental health services procurement.

  Coalition confirms $24m for Gumboot Friday charity I Am Hope

• $63.6m for Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget

  New Zealand Politics

  17 May 2024

  

  "New Zealand has a tragically high drowning toll," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said at the announcement.

  $63.6m for Surf Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget 2024

• Multi-year government spends not always justified, review finds

  Politics

  17 May 2024

  

  Multi-year appropriations - which give the government authority to spend money without reapplying annually - are loosening Parliament's control of the public purse, auditor-general says.

  Review finds big increase in multi-year government spends, use not always justified

• Watch: Luxon promises no 'bells-and-whistles' coming in Budget

  New Zealand Politics

  15 May 2024

  

  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says do not expect any curveballs in this month's Budget, but he reaffirmed a commitment to tax relief.

  Watch: PM Christopher Luxon speaks to business leaders ahead of Budget 2024

• Up to 35 public schools to become charter schools, will be exempt from phone ban

  New Zealand Politics

  14 May 2024

  

  Up to 50 charter schools will be funded with $153m out of Budget 2024, David Seymour has announced.

  Watch: Charter schools to get $153m in new funding in Budget 2024

• 'A pretty dire state': Collins announces $571 million Defence spend-up

  New Zealand Politics

  10 May 2024

  

  An extra half a billion dollars is going to Defence in this year's Budget for pay and equipment upgrades, the Defence Minister has announced.

  Judith Collins announces $571 million Defence spend-up

• Free school lunches: Government budgets $3 per meal

  New Zealand Politics

  8 May 2024

  

  A new interim delivery model will kick in next year to allow time for a full redesign of the scheme before any more money is dedicated.

  Free school lunches: Year 7 students and above to shift to alternative model

• More questions than answers at government press conference

  Politics

  6 May 2024

  

  The Prime Minister and Corrections Minister repeatedly provided incorrect information about their $1.9 billion planned prison spend-up.

  Contradictions and confusion: More questions than answers at government press conference

• Watch: Government to tell schools how to teach reading

  New Zealand Politics

  2 May 2024

  

  From next year, the government expects all public schools to take a "proven structured literacy approach".

  Watch: PM's pre-Budget education announcement for teaching reading

• Childcare subsidies of up to $75 a week to start from July

  New Zealand Politics

  25 Mar 2024

  

  The 25 percent tax rebate on childcare costs will help reduce barriers for families to get into the workforce, the government says.

  Childcare subsidies to start from July, families eligible for up to $75 a week

• Luxon trying to wriggle out of promises with talk of economic woe - Hipkins

  Politics

  19 Feb 2024

  

  The Finance Minister and PM are both warning the economy is 'fragile' and tough calls are needed. Audio

  National trying to wriggle out of promises with talk of 'fragile' economy - Chris Hipkins