Government pulls trigger on 'monetisation' of $640m Chorus debt

The Government's Chorus debt will be sold in 2026. (Image: Supplied)

Wed, 17 Dec 2025

The Government will sell its $640 million in Chorus debt to “monetise” for spending on capital projects at the 2026 Budget.Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the decision to monetise the debt and equity securities it holds in Chorus in a statement issued on Wednesday, as Parliament concluded for the year.“The loan to Chorus is not due to be fully repaid until 2036, but it has served its purpose, so, after testing the market, the Government has decided to get the present value of its money back sooner so it can be investe...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

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

You can cancel anytime.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

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].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

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

Director looks to pull Bains Hort Group back out of liquidation

It has been allowed to operate its orchards ahead of this year's harvest.

Riley Kennedy 9:15am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Wednesday, Jan 21

Hungry for some trivia?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Law & Regulation

Destiny Church-connected entities owe millions to IRD

The IRD successfully wound up the church-related trust and property company.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Destiny Church-connected entities owe millions to IRD

Sponsored

Generative AI will disrupt 90% of jobs - what it means for the future of work

Here’s what that means for the future of work in New Zealand.

Cognizant

Sponsored

AI is only as good as its data foundation

NZ leaders explain why clean, connected data drives AI value.

Cognizant

More Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Analysts see upside in Fletcher sale

But the partial sale of another known brand to a French firm also prompts disappointment.

Thomas Manch 5:00am

Infrastructure

Tauranga port re-lodges fast-track bid after law fix

Port of Tauranga has re-lodged an application under the Fast-track Approvals Act for its proposed Stella Passage development.This follows legislative amendments in December that corrected an error in how the project was described in the act’s schedule.Port of Tauranga (POT) said...

Ian Llewellyn 20 Jan 2026