HYEFU: Robertson keeps it simple and conservative

HYEFU: Robertson keeps it simple and conservative
Grant Robertson briefs media on the budget strategy for election year. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Pattrick Smellie
Like Tommies in the trenches in the dying days on the western front, journalists, Treasury officials and various hangers-on assembled this morning for the last set-piece economic announcement of the year: the half-year economic and fiscal update and the 2023 budget policy statement.Known by the usual unwieldy acronyms, the HYEFU and the BPS are interesting for only two questions this year: how bad does the Treasury think the recession will be and how will the government seek to win an election when that recession is at its worst?Anyone hoping f...

More Policy

Treasury strategist: NZ needs to tax capital income
Policy

Treasury strategist: NZ needs to tax capital income

Struan Little says it’s not a question of whether we should tax capital, but how.

Dileepa Fonseka 21 Nov 2025
The back-to-front ferry deal
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: The back-to-front ferry deal

Will the wharves be ready when the new ferries arrive?

Pattrick Smellie 20 Nov 2025
KiwiSaver providers want more out of retirement reform
Policy

KiwiSaver providers want more out of retirement reform

The Retirement Commissioner says KiwiSaver does not work equally well for everyone.

Digital Investment Plan expected this month
Policy

Digital Investment Plan expected this month

Health NZ to release its 10-year Digital Investment Plan in Christchurch.

Cécile Meier 14 Nov 2025