Nats eye Budget for signs of excessive pre-election spend-up

Tue, 12 May 2020

The National Party will be watching for evidence that the government is trying to spend its way out of a severe pre-election economic downturn in its Budget announcements this week. “The thing that lurks in the mind is that we are only four months out from the election,” National’s finance spokesman, Paul Goldsmith, told BusinessDesk. “There will be a temptation to spend massively to put off the economic consequences of the lockdown and send the bill to the next Budget.” There were two key questions for the electorate, he said. “Firstl...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Primary Sector

Reducing farm emissions is about future proofing: Nestlé

Dairy makes up 21% of Nestlé's scope 3 or 'on farm' emissions.

Rebecca Howard 5:00am

Property

Anglicans get permission to demolish Parnell lodge

The property is across the road from one of the most luxurious developments in NZ.

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

Anglicans get permission to demolish Parnell lodge

Technology

Business of Tech podcast: Rod Drury on his post-Xero life as NZ's fixer

Peter Griffin and Ben Moore 5:00am

Sponsored

Smart chargers don't just charge EVs

They also take the pressure off a stressed power network - We.EV

We.EV

Sponsored

Big change coming to insurance

Industry reset sees risk-based pricing coming for many homeowners.

VERO

More Economy

Economy

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Auckland has fallen to 5th place.

Tom Raynel 03 Jul 2024

Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s (NZIER) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a continued deterioration in business confidence in the second quarter.A net 35% of firms expected a deterioration in the general economic outlook over the coming months on a seaso...

Staff reporters 02 Jul 2024