2026 Budget Blog

2026 Budget Blog

Date

28.05.26

In case you missed it, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has released her 2026 Budget. Now, these are often complex and dry ramblings to set out the Government’s plan to spend and how they are to pay for it. Budgets are four-year cycles but are changed annually – which doesn’t quite make sense to us – but obviously them’s the rules.

In case you missed it, Shellock put out some suggestions for an Alternative Budget a couple of weeks ago, so now the real thing is out, let’s look under our earlier headings and see what’s in store …

Energy, Water and Community Resilience

Reliance on Gas

“From 1 July this year, the four big gentailers, Contact, Genesis, Mercury, and Meridian, will no longer be allowed to give their own retail arms a better deal than independent retailers when it comes to managing wholesale electricity price risk” announced Energy Minister Simeon Brown.[1] The media releases also refer to “Removing the need for building consents to install rooftop solar on existing homes and buildings … and developing new rules to ensure fairer rates for consumers putting power back into the grid from their solar generation at peak times.”

On 25^th May Ministers Willis, Brown and Shane Jones announced the Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme, a new initiative to help businesses transition from gas. It is intended to be a practical initiative expected to make up to $1.2 billion of (private) bank loans available to businesses to eliminate or reduce their dependency on gas. The Crown will guarantee 80 per cent of each supported loan in return for banks passing on lower interest rates to borrowers. The Budget has set aside $48 million to cover potential losses from the scheme. While these are commercial loans based on the borrower’s capacity to repay them, it provides assurance to the banking industry enabling them to be a bit more generous in their assessments of borrowers. Like all schemes it comes with criteria and conditions, which you can read about here [2].

The Budget provides $5.9m for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority to work with businesses exploring options to transition away from gas.

Funding to boost resilient planning system[3]

Budget 2026 invests $294 million over four years to support the rollout of the Government’s new planning and environmental management system that replaces the Resource Management Act. Simon Court says this investment is about translating good law into real results.

“The Government has tightened its belt so we can invest where it matters – implementing the most important reform for New Zealand’s productivity in a generation. “This is mission critical for restoring certainty, consistency, and confidence for Kiwis to invest in the farms, homes, and infrastructure New Zealand needs to grow and thrive.”

Solar

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson announced [4] construction had begun on a major solar energy project on Stewart Island/Rakiura that will reduce the island’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and cut power prices. The project involves installing a solar farm and battery system, along with electricity network upgrades and smart meters. It is expected to cut power prices by up to 35 cents per kilowatt hour and reduce diesel use for power generation by up to 75 per cent and should be completed in early 2027. The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) provided a $15.35 million loan to Southland District Council who are delivering the project through the Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority, which owns and operates the island’s electricity system.

Environment

Under here, we can also include Government funding to help reduce [5] wilding pines, which threaten productive farmland, water supplies in sensitive catchments, and native biodiversity – and they significantly increase the impact of wildfires. “Budget 2026 invests an additional $79 million over the next three years, taking the total commitment to $109 million, so we can ramp up control work and get ahead of the spread.” reports Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. Untreated affected areas are estimated to spread at 5% per annum and take up an estimated 2 million hectares of productive land.

Transport

Under Chris Bishop’s leadership as Transport Minister, $1.77 billion will be spent on extending the four-lane Waikato Expressway (SH1) 16 kilometres from Cambridge to Piarere Road. The government is also adding $1.075 billion into KiwiRail’s network from 2027-2030 and $107m into rail upgrades in cities.

Housing, Communities and Wellbeing

Housing

Controversially, the Government has announced tenants in state housing will have their rents lift to 30% of their income (from 25%) with effect from their next rent review on or after 1 April 2027. This is expected to increase rents for around 84,000 households by an average of about $31 a week according to Minister Upston [6]. [That’s gonna hurt a lot of people.] “This change is expected to deliver $387.5 million in operating savings over the forecast period and most of those savings will be reinvested in higher maximum weekly Accommodation Supplement rates, with support increasing by between $10 and $30 a week at a cost of $374.3 million over the forecast period.” “At the same time, the Government will reduce the maximum rate of Temporary Additional Support to better reflect its original purpose as temporary hardship support, generating $195.6 million in operating savings over the forecast period,” Ms Upston says. Housing Minister Chris Bishop adds “Some people will always require housing support. Social housing should be there for those who genuinely need it, for as long as they need it. But it should also be a pathway to independence where that’s possible, not a place where people get stuck.” It appears the average tenant is projected to stay 16.7 years before moving on. “Reforming social housing will involve hard choices, but change is needed. The current system is unfair, costly, and not targeted enough to those with the greatest need,” Mr Bishop says. “We want a system that supports people who need help, while also backing people to move forward where they can and making sure support is available for others who need it.”

In the meantime [7], out of town MPs are paid up to $1,000 per week in housing allowances for accommodation in Wellington, where they stay during the Parliamentary term, even if they own accommodation in the capital.

More housing

Housing Minister Chris Bishop has supported [8] the Budget investing a further $69.2 million into the Flexible Fund, which was established last budget, to deliver between 1800 and 2250 additional social homes over three years starting from 2028/29. “The Flexible Fund enables the Government to respond to different needs in different parts of the country rather than force strong local housing proposals into rigid funding categories. The fund also supports a wider range of providers, including community housing providers, Māori providers, and others, to bring forward proposals that meet local need.”

A council building incentive?

An ‘Incentives for Growth Fund’ of $400 million over four years has been announced for councils that build more homes. Councils will be able to apply to the fund to pay for infrastructure on road and pipes in new suburbs. We are not quite sure why developers do not pay the full cost of this to councils, and why the general public should be paying.

Disability

Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced [9] six successful applicants of the Access Activator pilot programme have been selected. The programme is run through the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha, in collaboration with start-up hub Creative HQ. The programmes are aimed at addressing access issues for disabled people in street navigation, reading, housing and sports education through technology and is about delivering practical results for people with a variety of accessibility needs. Whaikaha received 161 applications for funding of which 6 have been selected. For projects ready to scale, up to $100,000 was available, while projects at the ideas stage could apply for up to $25,000. All up, Whaikaha is providing $405,000 in funding across the six projects. An estimated 17% of people live with a disability in New Zealand. Assuming our population is 5,361,300, 911,421 people will potentially receive support from these projects. That works out at about 44 cents each.

The Government also introduced the Disability Support Services Bill [10] to Parliament on 22 May 2026, providing clarity and stability to the system which supports thousands of disabled New Zealanders. “Disability Support Services (DSS) plays a vital role in people’s lives, but it’s been operating without a clear legislative foundation,” Minister for Disability Issues Ms Upston says. “This has made it harder for people to understand what support is available, who qualifies, and how decisions are made. “This Bill establishes foundations and sets a clear framework for how DSS operates. It sets out what the disability support system does, its purpose and how public funding can be used. It will improve consistency, fairness, transparency and sustainability, building on our work to stabilise support after the 2024 Independent Review.”

Ambulance services

Budget 2026 provides $35 million [11] over four years to strengthen road ambulance services and deliver improvements for patients and frontline staff. In addition, there is an increase in funding from Health New Zealand and ACC for road ambulances to meet demand and cost pressures, with the total funding package to be finalised following negotiations for the next four-year contract.

Health

On 14^th May, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced Budget 2026 will invest $15.5 million over four years to establish a nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care service, delivered through dedicated specialist teams in both the North and South Islands. These teams will include specialist paediatric palliative care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and nurse practitioners. They will work alongside health professionals nationwide, supporting and training local care teams so children can receive the best possible care in their homes and communities. The funding also provides for national service coordination and one registrar training position each year in specialist paediatric palliative care, helping build the workforce for the future.

The new services will begin rolling out from mid-2027, with both specialist teams expected to be fully operational by mid-2028. In addition to the two new specialist teams, Health New Zealand has committed funding to Rei Kōtuku, a specialist paediatric palliative care service in Wellington, through a contract starting 1 July 2026 to provide care while the national specialist service is established.

Interestingly, it is estimated that the Government spends $11 million a year on assisted dying services.

There is additional support for mums and bubs with an additional $34 million for three-day postnatal stays, and for all of us, a further $33 million to extend the eligibility for bowel screening to 56 years of age, from 58.

Nursing [12]

Also announced on Budget Day, Health Minister Simeon Brown heralds the successful ratification of a new collective agreement for members of the Nurses Society of New Zealand (NSNZ). A 2.5 % salary increase in year one and a 2% increase in year two. It also includes an extra $2,000 salary adjustment for those at the top of the Enrolled Nurses pay scale, alongside lump-sum payments of $1,300 for Senior Designated Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and $1,000 for all other staff. Other allowances will also increase, including lifting the Nurse Practitioner Professional Development Allowance from $5,000 to $6,000 per year.

Heath infrastructure

Announced [13] on Budget Day, a further $680 million in capital spending for health infrastructure, including a new 158-bed ward at Whangarei Hospital, work at Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, and Palmerston North, and the buying land for the new Drury hospital. $930 million will go towards new clinical equipment, tech upgrades, and facility improvements nationwide.

Investing in cyber security to protect patient data [14]

Cyber security across New Zealand’s health system will be significantly strengthened to better protect sensitive patient information and ensure services remain safe and reliable, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Cyber-attacks are a serious and growing threat to health systems around the world, and New Zealand is not immune. That’s why we are taking decisive action to strengthen cyber security, safeguard patient data, and ensure frontline services can continue operating without disruption.”

Budget 2026 will deliver $153.6 million in funding for Health New Zealand to expand national cyber security monitoring, strengthen data security processes, and deliver critical IT safety upgrades across the health system.

The investment includes:

Strengthening 24/7 cyber security monitoring and response capability
Expanding specialist cyber security expertise
Delivering critical security upgrades across health systems
Strengthening cyber security oversight in primary care

Health New Zealand is also investing an additional $300 million to help deliver the first three years of the Health Digital Investment Plan, supporting work such as replacing ageing devices, modernising radiology systems, and upgrading core IT platforms.

Families, Children and Education

Education

“Literacy and maths at forefront of new investment” reads the headline [15]. Raising achievement and lifting student performance in reading, writing and maths is at the centre of today’s Budget 2026 investment in education, says Education Minister Erica Stanford. As part of Budget 2026, the Government is investing $132m in the next phase of Teaching the Basics Brilliantly to transform our education system, ensuring every child has the opportunity to benefit from a world-leading education. “Today’s literacy and maths package delivers substantive investment into twelve key initiatives that will help to embed generational reforms in our primary and intermediate schools. Our focus is ensuring that young people are set up for success at high school and well prepared to achieve secondary school qualifications,” Ms Stanford says. “Together, the Read to Succeed, Make It Write and Make It Count action plans contribute directly to our ambitious target of seeing 80 per cent of Year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030.”

The Finance Minister has announce scrapping the tertiary fees free year is estimated to save $1 billion over four years. Using those savings, the Budget provides a two percent increase to subsidies for tertiary foundation courses, and also has $284 million to subsidise more student places this year and next.

The Government is introducing new school curriculums and a new secondary school qualification, and the Budget allocates about $240 million for that work, including teacher training and resources. It also provides $69 million over four years to double the number of secondary school students attending Trades Academies to 20,000 by 2030.

Operation grants for education will increase 2 percent next year while early childhood subsidies rise 1.5 percent from July, six months earlier than normal.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced [16] most Early Childhood Education (ECE) services will receive a 1.5% increase to their subsidy rates. The increase applies from July 2026 rather than the usual following January implementation date. The increased rates would provide the ECE sector with an additional $40 million each year.

SME training and support

SME’s are also getting something, whether it is of practical value will depend. Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Cameron Brewer announced [17] at the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce conference on 22 May 2026 a new package of fully funded business resilience training for SME’s to support businesses to improve preparedness, strengthen continuity planning, and reduce vulnerability to disruption.

“We are committed to fixing the basics and building the future, and that’s why it is important we ensure small businesses have support they need to grow, compete, and succeed,” says Mr Brewer. “The initial focus will be on practical tools to manage change and strengthen business continuity planning, giving businesses skills they can apply straight away” and be delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN) … including online webinars and in-person workshops across the country, providing practical tools without the cost barrier”.

Incentivising work and independence [18]

Budget 2026’s welfare package is intended to incentivise getting more people into work and gaining greater independence, while supporting those in most need, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “The current economic environment is challenging, but the Government’s approach has been successful in getting people off benefit and into work by investing taxpayers’ money wisely.”

The Budget 2026 Social Development and Employment package includes:

$45 million for community food support, including kids’ breakfasts, to assist those in highest need.
$93.3 million to help 25,000 sole parents access more assistance to find work, providing opportunities for income and career growth. This is expected to generate net savings of $97.2 million over the next four years.
$22.4 million to prevent households needing emergency housing, and facilitating sustainable exits that reduce reoccurring emergency housing need. This is expected to generate net savings of $14.3 million over the next four years.

“In a fiscally and economically challenged environment, Budget 2026 delivers more positive and aspirational outcomes for New Zealand families,” Louise Upston says.

A Boosted SuperGold Card

The SuperGold card will soon be able to be used as an official form of ID. The government has allocated $43 million into allowing pensioners to upgrade their cards to a new version, which will be able to be used instead of drivers’ licences or passport. This is an incredibly sensible move as more very elderly people no longer have official ID required for everyday transactions. Currently they can apply for a “Kiwi Access Card” which costs between $70 and $75 and is valid for 10 years.

Government Super Fund contributions increase [19]

Government contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund are forecast to total $3.1 billion over the next four years, $2.2 billion more than expected at the Half Year Update in December, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “The Government’s Super Fund contributions are set by a legislated formula and rise from $562 million next financial year to just over $1 billion in 2029/30.”

“Updated population projections, new inflation forecasts and other changes to formula inputs mean we are continuing to make contributions over the next few years, rather than drawing down from the Fund as expected in last year’s Budget. One significant change is the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation lowering their assumption of long-term expected returns from 7.8 to 7.2 per cent. In the meantime, Budget forecasts show the cost of New Zealand Superannuation growing rapidly as the population ages, from $24.7 billion in the current financial year to $31.2 billion in 2029/30.”

Immigration

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has announced two changes. First [20], minimum English language requirements under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) are being extended to skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026. Also from that date [21], investor migrants using the Active Investor Plus Growth category will be able to include a philanthropic component of up to 20% of their total investment as part of their overall investment in New Zealand.

Budget 2026 also allocates funds for more frontline teams to respond to migrant exploitation [22] and immigration non-compliance. The Government is investing $18 million over four years to strengthen our response to migrant exploitation and immigration non-compliance, with three new frontline teams to respond to serious offending, protect people from harm and exploitation, and increase the number of cases investigated.

The funding will result in an additional 22 FTE to create:

another Immigration Investigations team, targeted at reducing complex case backlogs and responding to serious immigration offending
an additional Labour Inspectorate team, expanding capacity to detect and respond to migrant exploitation and serious breaches of employment standards.
A new Immigration Compliance team, focused on addressing lower‑level employer non‑compliance and people in New Zealand unlawfully or in breach of their visa conditions.

Not sure if this is under “immigration” because it is trying to stop the worst kind – illegal drugs. Budget 2026 is making a significant investment in Customs’[23] equipment and people to better protect New Zealand’s borders and to stop illegal drugs and organised crime. The $70.7 million funding over four years supports two key initiatives The first focuses on strengthening our domestic border. The second expands Customs’ ability to disrupt criminal networks overseas by establishing four new international posts in the Pacific, South America, Middle East and Europe. A further $10.8 million over four years , will provide additional intelligence and analytics support, allowing Customs to work with partner agencies to target transnational organised crime groups and smuggling routes to stop illicit drugs reaching New Zealand.

All Things Tax – CGT, FIF, KiwiSaver and Business

Not a lot here of too much interest. It is more interesting what isn’t here. But we are very pleased to see changes to the FIF threshold, which we will claim as close to a “Bingo!” as we hoped it would be $150,000.

What is helpful is the Inland Revenue had issued a number of Information Sheets on tax changes announced in the Budget. This covers topics we have not included in this update. Click here [24] for more information.

Also note that a number of proposed changes require amending legislation so may change from announcement to implementation.

FBT

Eradication of motor vehicle logbooks and simplification of FBT calculations. A new ‘close enough is good enough’ approach is welcomed even if it comes at a cost of $0.6 million.

New Bank Levy

Let us be clear, “levies” are not taxes. But the Government has announced a new bank levy of $200 million over four years to pay for regulation oversite costs incurred by the Reserve Bank. This will be paid by banks, insurers and other finance industry companies from a new levy intended.

Budget 2026 introduces tax changes to strengthen New Zealand’s tax system, encourage investment and make it easier to comply with, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “The Government is committed to driving the economic growth needed to create jobs, lift incomes and fund public services New Zealanders rely on.”

“The Government is also updating thin capitalisation settings for foreign-owned New Zealand banking groups to align with prudential requirements,” Minister Watts says. These changes are expected to create a revenue of $45.2 million.

Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI)[25]

The RDTI is being changed to introduce in-year payments so businesses can access the tax credit sooner. Rules for claiming internal software expenditure are also being changed to ensure the tax credit on software development generates wider benefits. The cap on non-administrative internal software for R&D is being reduced from $25 million to $3 million.

Other changes include increasing flexibility of RDTI return deadlines by giving the Commissioner of Inland Revenue the discretion to accept and amend late RDTI filings. The Government is also expanding the range of R&D expenditure mining businesses can claim under the RDTI.

There must be something in the fine print because these changes are saving the Government an estimated $84.6 million.

Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules

The Government is building on progress made last year to encourage investment and make New Zealand a place where skilled people want to live and work.

“Budget 2025 introduced a new method to calculate a recent migrant’s Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax on unlisted shares. Budget 2026 extends the changes introduced last years to all New Zealand taxpayers, ensuring tax is paid only on realised gains and actual dividends.”

Budget 2026 also raises the FIF de minimis threshold for overseas investments from $50,000 to $100,000. Overall, this is new spending of $72.5 million (or reduced income).

Overdrawn current accounts on liquidation

Six months after a company has been liquidated, or otherwise removed from the Companies Register, any outstanding loans or overdrawn current accounts made to its shareholders will be taxed as income. Given that it is unlikely such loans will be repaid, the former shareholders have effectively received a free ride on the loans and drawings. Now they will be taxed (assuming they can be tracked down and the money is recoverable). An estimated revenue of $146 million.

Compliance

Budget 2026 also invests a further $15 million per annum for Inland Revenue debt compliance activities, expecting to gather $120 million in additional revenue. It is a well-known fact that the more money the Government invests in the IR the more money it collects.

“The Government’s initial investment in compliance has contributed to approximately $3 billion in overdue tax being collected in the year to date. We are committed to building on that momentum because every dollar left uncollected is a dollar that cannot support our schools, hospitals, and keeping our communities safe,” Simon Watts says.

“Other”

Public Servants

Unless you have been lying under a rock in the Pacific Ocean, the Government has announced it intends to find funding by reducing [26] Public Service staff numbers. An estimated 8,700 FTE’s are expected to go through to July 2029. “Over the next four years these initiatives will deliver savings of $2.4 billion which will be re-deployed to deliver more health services, lift educational outcomes, build infrastructure and strengthen the defence force and police. New Zealanders expect public services that are responsive, effective and easy to use, but too often people and businesses are still navigating fragmented systems, duplication and outdated processes. A more connected and digitally enabled public service will improve services, reduce duplication, and deliver better value for taxpayers.” Notes Minister Willis. “Reductions will be achieved progressively over several years through digitisation, mergers, simplification of systems and processes and natural attrition.” Adds Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government Paul Goldsmith.

These job losses are expected to pay for budgets cuts of 2% in 2026, followed by two further rounds of 5% cuts in the following years, for a total reduction in funding of about 12% from where they are now. The government agencies will need to find where and how to cut their cloth. Oranga Tamariki, law and order, health, education and defence and intelligence agencies are exempt from these targets, and while Foreign Affairs currently is not affected, it is expected they will be over the longer term.

A Rainy-Day Account

$450 million has been set aside as a ‘rainy day fund’ for fuel-related issues that might crop up. That’s in addition to the already-announced temporary increase to mileage rates for care and support workers and $150 million for strategic reserves. FENZ, Corrections, Police, Customs, and Education get additional funding to keep frontline operations going in the face of sustained fuel price increases.

Defence

This year’s Budget includes an extra $2.3 billion in capital spending and $1.2 billion operating funding for the Defence Force spread across staffing, frigates, facilities, aircraft and other resilience measures in the Pacific.

Māori language and cultural capability [27]

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has announced the Budget sets aside $48 million over the next four years to support the long-term sustainability of Māori broadcasting by helping Māori media organisations adapt to a changing digital environment, commissioning new te reo Māori content, developing talent and strengthening their capability.

The Budget also supports Te Māori Tū through $10 million of reprioritised funding, recognising growing international interest in Māori culture, creativity, and storytelling, and creating new opportunities for Māori artists, creatives, businesses, and exporters.

“Alongside Budget 2026 investments in schools to support Māori medium teaching, these initiatives support te reo Māori which is one of the great taonga of this country,” Tama Potaka says. “Our language connects us to our history, our identity, our whenua, and to one another. “Budget 2026 invests in ensuring te reo Māori remains strong, visible and enduring for future generations.

Charities

The Government is changing the tax rules for the charitable and not-for-profit sector to ensure fairness and resilience, Revenue Minister Simon Watts and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston say [28].

Simon Watts says it’s important the tax rules ensure the system remains fair, credible and trusted for charities and not-for-profits.

Last year, Inland Revenue released an Issues Paper on how the not-for-profit sector is taxed. The paper attracted huge public interest, and the Government is introducing a range of measures to ensure the charitable and not-for-profit sector is strong, fair, and has integrity. “In 2025, the Government examined options for limiting access to charitable tax concessions. That work is now complete,” Simon Watts says.

Key changes include:

Increasing the amount of net income a not-for-profit organisation can earn without paying tax from $1,000 to $10,000. [This is a modest but welcome improvement.]
Ensuring the donation tax credit scheme remains financially sustainable by capping eligible donations at $100,000 per year. This will also limit tax planning risks that can arise when a donor makes a gift to a charity they control themselves. [A sensible balance but will only affect the highest donors in the Country. With respect, the fiscal risk of manipulation and fraud are likely to be lower down the food chain.]
Allowing donors to receive their donation tax credit refunds throughout the year in certain circumstances, rather than waiting until the end of the tax year. [Humm, they already can – so what’s new?]
Allowing donors to gift their donation tax credit to a charity. [Makes sense and would be a popular move for charities]
Ensuring that membership subscriptions and levies received by not-for-profits remain non-taxable.

“These changes are about striking the right balance between simplification, fiscal sustainability and ensuring the system has integrity,” Simon Watts says.

Louise Upston says the charitable sector does a lot for the community, especially in tough economic times, so it is important the rules that guide it are robust and resilient.

“Over 53 per cent of adult New Zealanders volunteer, many of them through charities and not-for-profits – 89 per cent of community organisations are volunteer run. Formal volunteering is worth $6.4 billion to the economy. When you add people who volunteer directly, it’s even more – $14.4 billion.” [It’s nice someone in Government has finally recognised that volunteers, often retired, are contributing to society]

Firearms and who’s paying for Public Safety

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee [29] has welcomed Budget 2026 funding of $44.9 million to implement the new Arms Act and establish Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, the new independent firearms regulator. “The wider public benefits from a well-functioning firearms licensing system, including through improved public safety, pest control, and conservation work carried out by hunters and recreational shooters. That is why it makes sense for the costs of the system to be shared between licenced firearm owners and taxpayers, rather than falling solely on one group. This funding will enable the separation of firearms regulation from Police, improving the trust and confidence of licenced firearms owners while allowing Police to focus on enforcement.”

“Approximately $4.7 million of the funding will go towards establishing the new Firearms Licensing Review Committee, giving licensed firearm owners access to an independent forum to challenge decisions made by the regulator. Budget 2026 also secures funding through a tagged contingency to modernise firearms ICT systems, helping deliver a more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly licensing system into the future.”

Budget 2026 is a wide-ranging package with clear emphasis on fiscal restraint, infrastructure, health, education, defence, and targeted tax changes. It contains some practical measures for businesses and individuals, including changes to FIF, FBT, RDTI timing, energy transition support, and investment in resilience and border protection. However, it also relies heavily on savings from public sector reductions, social housing changes, and tighter welfare settings. The real impact will depend on how these policies are implemented, and who ultimately carries the cost.

[1] Delivering a fairer electricity market for Kiwi consumers | Beehive.govt.nz

[2] Loans to help businesses transition away from gas | Beehive.govt.nz

[3] Funding to boost resilient planning system | Beehive.govt.nz

[4] Stewart Island/Rakiura solar project underway | Beehive.govt.nz

[5] Government boosts funding to tackle wilding pines | Beehive.govt.nz

[6] Delivering fairer social housing | Beehive.govt.nz

[7] Prime Minister showing no interest in changing housing allowance for MPs | RNZ News

[8] More social homes, better targeted | Beehive.govt.nz

[9] Projects selected to improve accessibility | Beehive.govt.nz

[10] Bill to strengthen disability support | Beehive.govt.nz

[11] Boosting ambulance services across New Zealand | Beehive.govt.nz

[12] NSNZ nurses vote to accept settlement | Beehive.govt.nz