Budget 2026 is out, and for any Kiwis looking for cost of living relief - it probably isn't for you.
You can follow Stuff’s live coverage of Budget 2026 here.
As promised, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has leaned into a prudence mindset, keeping "sugar hits" to a minimum. Unless you are a SuperGold card holder, a wannabe hospital in south Auckland, or a commuter on the Waikato Expressway.
First things first - a quick note on the state of the economy. Treasury is forecasting it will grow by an average of 2.7% over the next four years, with the Government's books returning to a surplus a year earlier than expected, in 2028/29.
Now, here's a breakdown of the main Budget announcements.










