Newstalk ZB
Infrastructure and health are the big priorities in this year's Budget, as banks face a new levy, and cuts take shape. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled Budget 2026. Senior political reporter Azaria Howell has the details. 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. Books are set to return to surplus earlier than expected. The Budget's supporting record health funding - of $34.2 billion dollars in the 2026/27 financial year. From September, the bowel cancer screening age will lower from 58 to 56. $2.3 billion dollars of savings over five years will be found through public sector job cuts and slashing Government agency spending. A levy's being placed on banks and deposit takers from mid 2027 - estimated to bring in around $209 million dollars over four years into the Government's books. Funding's going to major hospital and school property upgrades - including buying land for a new hospital in South Auckland. Places in trades training are doubling as fees free university gets axed, as more millions are secured for a curriculum rollout.
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