NZ govt's 7-month operating surplus tracking ahead of forecast on rising PAYE, GST tax take

NZ govt's 7-month operating surplus tracking ahead of forecast on rising PAYE, GST tax take
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth March 7 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand government's operating surplus continued to track ahead of forecast in the first seven months of the financial year as optimistic consumers and low unemployment spurred higher income and GST taxation.  The operating surplus before gains and losses (obegal) was a surplus of $2.44 billion in the seven months ended Jan. 31, some $677 million more than expected, and more than twice the $1.15 billion a year earlier, the latest Crown accounts show. Core tax revenue rose 5.7 percent to $44....