Willis to serve up a cold dish for Wellington

Willis to serve up a cold dish for Wellington
Less money will flow into local cafes as the government cuts jobs in Wellington. (Image: AP)
Paul McBeth
With the economy starving on a per capita basis and government agencies laying off people left, right, and centre, there won’t be too many crumbs available in finance minister Nicola Willis’s budget policy statement.In fact, the message will probably harness the energy of an old Seinfeld episode in telling the bureaucracy and other Wellington hangers-on: no soup for you! Willis said she wanted annual savings of $1.5 billion when she produced her fizzer of a mini-budget in December – roughly 1% of the government’s fo...

More Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades
Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades

Two of the biggest NZ ports are raising prices as they plan major investments.

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'
Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'

Adam Feeley on the reluctance to call out poor performers in NZ infrastructure sector.

Oliver Lewis 30 Jun 2025
Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations
Policy

Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations

Auckland Council will need to provide for building heights of at least 10-15 storeys.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend
Policy

Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend

Draft plan identifies priority projects and recommends transport system reform.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025