Deficit blows out this year; surplus delayed for a year

Deficit blows out this year; surplus delayed for a year
Treasury secretary Caralee McLiesh. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Paul McBeth
The government is forecasting a blowout in the budget deficit for this year, to $10 billion, but a bounce back over the following years to still reach a budget surplus in the year to June 2027.Faster-than-expected inbound migration underpins the economic growth rate, which in turn keeps money coming into the government’s coffers, even though the budgets will be in red ink for another year. The Treasury’s pre-election fiscal and economic update (Prefu) shows deeper deficits at the operating balance before gains and losses (Obega...

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Weak economy prompts dovish RBNZ pivot
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Weak economy prompts dovish RBNZ pivot

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The latest forecast imply two more rate cuts to come. 

Rebecca Howard 20 Aug 2025
RBNZ cuts to 3%, sees cash rate reaching 2.5%
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RBNZ cuts to 3%, sees cash rate reaching 2.5%

RBNZ cuts by 25bps but thought about 50bps. 

Rebecca Howard 20 Aug 2025