PremiumOpinionOpinion byNZ Herald28 May, 2026 05:00 PM6 mins to readFinance Minister Nicola Willis got a standing ovation from her colleagues after her Budget. Did she deserve it? Photo / Mark MitchellTHE FACTSTreasury is forecasting a $2.6b ObegalX surplus by 2028/29.Treasury said there was significant uncertainty in the forecasts.Health and education were given funding increases. Finance Ministers and political commentators have tended to deploy two clichés before and after Budget day.Before, you’ll hear commentary that there’ll be no “no lolly scramble” or no “rabbit out of a hat”. Come Budget day itself, you tend to find the truth is the opposite.