Government books $600m better than pre-election forecast

Government books $600m better than pre-election forecast
Grant Robertson said the result was due to the government’s responsible and balanced financial management. (Image: NZME)
Staff reporters
The government’s final audited accounts are healthier than was expected in the pre-election economic and fiscal update (Prefu) – to the tune of just under $600m.The accounts for the year to the end of June 2023 released on Thursday showed a deficit of $9.4 billion, below the Prefu estimate of $10b and also below last year’s $9.7b deficit.Finance minister Grant Robertson said the result was due to the government’s responsible and balanced financial management and said it showed the economy had turned a corner.However, Tre...