Nicola Willis

The Government is set to announce its decision on delaying next year’s 12c hike to fuel taxes and an equivalent hike to road-user charges

There are no specific cost-of-living payments or Budget sugar hits — but Finance Minister Nicola Willis promises spending initiatives will create thousands of jobs

New Zealand has unveiled a fiscally conservative budget, slashing growth forecasts and implementing public service cuts, as the government prioritises financial stability amid escalating economic risks linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran and an impending election

Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks to Ryan Bridge about the cuts to the public sector

Under the updated framework, stricter fuel allocation rules would be introduced only in a worst-case scenario

The policy change, effective from Thursday, was agreed by the finance minister and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's monetary policy committee (MPC), which ​sets the official cash rate

The quiet release of an emergency energy playbook has sparked global concern, with some warning to 'get ready for lockdown 2.0' if fuel shortages worsen

Millions of South Asian workers in the Middle East provide a vital economic boost by sending money home

The increase will be temporary, lasting for one year from 1 April, or until the price of 91 octane petrol drops below $3 ($1.75; £1.30) a litre for four consecutive weeks

New Zealand is particularly exposed to the energy shocks produced by the conflict — and to economic crises generally — with the small, isolated nation highly dependent on global trade and tourism

Just as New Zealand’s fragile economic recovery shows flickers of improvement — with economists predicting its annual growth could surpass that of its larger neighbour Australia — it is facing a new threat: the war in the Middle East

As Finance Minister Nicola Willis prepares the election year Budget, it is worth taking a look back at Grant Robertson’s last Budget in 2023