> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # News Briefing: Budget Special Edition - URL: https://goodoil.news/news-briefing-budget-special-edition/ - Published: 2025-05-22T05:56:05.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-22T06:25:31.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ Politics, Politics *Republished with Permission* Author: **Bryce Edwards** **BUDGET - SUMMARIES AND ANALYSIS** Laura Walters (Newsroom): [Budget takes from squeezed middle for growth](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-takes-from-squeezed-middle-in-short-term-with-view-of-long-term-growth/?ref=goodoil.news) Lloyd Burr (Stuff): [Budget 2025 is a bit bitsy - here are the best bits](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360698449/budget-2025-bit-bitsy-here-are-best-bits?ref=goodoil.news) Luke Malpass (Post): [Willis delivers more with less but fiscal risks remain](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360697287/budget-2025-willis-delivers-more-less-fiscal-risks-remain?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Bridie Witton and Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Winners and Losers](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360698559/budget-2025-winners-and-losers?ref=goodoil.news) Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Where did the Government get its savings? KiwiSaver, pay equity and benefits](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360698508/where-did-government-get-its-savings-kiwisaver-pay-equity-and-benefits?ref=goodoil.news) Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): [Shuffling the Deck to Shift the Dial](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/budget-2025-shuffling-the-deck-to-shift-the-dial?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [KiwiSaver subsidies & Best Start payments slashed, enormous $6.6b business incentive](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-government-saves-128b-in-pay-equity-funnels-money-at-66b-tax-change-to-stimulate-economy/45YV2CJEVNAA7ACVHNLA7WSLSM/?ref=goodoil.news) Vernon Small (Post): [The key take-outs from Nicola Willis’ second budget](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360698554/key-take-outs-nicola-willis-second-budget?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): [Willis delivers ‘true blue’ Budget with KiwiSaver changes and business tax relief](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/budget-2025-willis-delivers-true-blue-budget-with-kiwisaver-changes-and-business-tax-relief/LXX2SRBSKZCB7DRL7JO6NVDATQ/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Marc Daalder (Newsroom): [Surplus slips further from Willis’ grasp amid economic headwinds](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/surplus-slips-further-from-willis-grasp-amid-economic-headwinds/?ref=goodoil.news) Brent Edwards (NBR): [Wafer thin surplus forecast for 2028-29](https://www.nbr.co.nz/budget-2025/wafer-thin-surplus-forecast-for-2028-29/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [$7 billion of extra borrowing, higher debt, wafer-thin surplus forecast for 2029](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360697728/budget-2025-7-billion-extra-borrowing-higher-debt-wafer-thin-surplus-forecast-2029?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Liam Dann (Herald): [Upbeat Treasury predicts rising house prices and GDP growth](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/budget-2025-upbeat-treasury-predicts-rising-house-prices-and-gdp-growth/WSB5EAOBURD5FDN2L3KRAHX364/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Giles Dexter (RNZ): [Government books to return to surplus after three years](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/561817/budget-2025-government-books-to-return-to-surplus-after-three-years?ref=goodoil.news) Russell Palmer (RNZ): [Opposition slams Budget 'austerity, cuts', Luxon attacks Greens alternative](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/561832/opposition-slams-budget-austerity-cuts-luxon-attacks-greens-alternative?ref=goodoil.news) 1News: [Budget views: National 'to lose women's votes', economy 'set up for future'](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-views-national-to-lose-womens-votes-economy-set-up-for-future/?ref=goodoil.news) Spinoff: [The great Spinoff hot-take roundtable](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-05-2025/budget-2025-the-great-spinoff-hot-take-roundtable?ref=goodoil.news) Michael Reddell: [The (deeply underwhelming) Budget](https://croakingcassandra.com/2025/05/22/the-deeply-underwhelming-budget/?ref=goodoil.news) Michael P. Cameron (The Conversation): [NZ Budget 2025 at a glance: follow the money here](https://theconversation.com/nz-budget-2025-at-a-glance-follow-the-money-here-256776?ref=goodoil.news) No Right Turn: [$13 billion](http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2025/05/13-billion.html?ref=goodoil.news) Paddy Gower (Stuff): [My five Budget positives](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360698428/paddy-gower-my-five-budget-positives?ref=goodoil.news) David Farrar: [Anyone who calls this an austerity budget is lying](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/05/anyone%5Fwho%5Fcalls%5Fthis%5Fan%5Fausterity%5Fbudget%5Fis%5Flying.html?ref=goodoil.news) Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): [This year's Budget doesn't go far enough](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-this-years-budget-doesnt-go-far-enough/?ref=goodoil.news) Boris Janice and Lillian Hanly (RNZ): [At a glance: The big changes, winners and losers](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561810/budget-2025-at-a-glance-the-big-changes-winners-and-losers?ref=goodoil.news) Kelly Dennett (Post): [Winners and losers of Budget 2025: Economists give their verdict](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360698823/winners-and-losers-budget-2025-economists-give-their-verdict?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) 1News: [Budget 2025: What you need to know](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-what-you-need-to-know/?ref=goodoil.news) Justin Hu (1News): ['Trade-offs and choices': Finance Minister on $12.8b pay equity saving](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/trade-offs-and-choices-finance-minister-on-128b-pay-equity-saving/?ref=goodoil.news) Adam Pearse (Herald): [Pay equity, KiwiSaver and housing – Where the Government cut $21b](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-pay-equity-kiwisaver-and-housing-where-the-govt-cut-21b/IA6DXKVXD5HKTFSWUUUX2RLZYU/?ref=goodoil.news) Craig McCulloch (RNZ): [Coalition claws back savings from pay equity, KiwiSaver in Budget](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561806/budget-2025-coalition-claws-back-savings-from-pay-equity-kiwisaver-in-budget?ref=goodoil.news) Thomas Manch (Post): [Government Kiwisaver subsidies slashed, $6.6b boost for business tax breaks](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360697140/budget-2025-growth-budget-hike-kiwisaver-contribution-offer-66b-business-tax-breaks?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Justin Hu (1News): [KiwiSaver changes, pay equity 'savings' revealed](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-kiwisaver-changes-pay-equity-savings-revealed/?ref=goodoil.news) Brent Edwards (NBR): [Budget includes more spending, plus a new tax incentive](https://www.nbr.co.nz/budget-2025/budget-includes-more-spending-plus-a-new-tax-incentive/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jamie Ensor (Herald): [The 10 things you need to know, from pay equity savings to subsidising private schools](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-the-10-things-you-need-to-know-from-pay-equity-savings-to-subsidising-private-schools/4EAGLSKGMZC7FGY2SUJSX4HQUA/?ref=goodoil.news) Joel MacManus and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): [Some lollies, some scramble, and some woke sushi](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-05-2025/budget-2025-some-lollies-some-scramble-and-some-woke-sushi?ref=goodoil.news) Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): [Pay equity savings ploughed back into tax breaks, health, education and gas](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/pay-equity-savings-ploughed-back-into-tax-breaks-health-education-and-gas/?ref=goodoil.news) Bernard Hickey (The Kāka): [Budget 2025 highlights and invite to live chat session at 3.30 pm](https://thekaka.substack.com/p/budget-2025-highlights-and-invite) Kate Newton (RNZ): [Breaking it down: Budget 2025 in charts](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/561811/breaking-it-down-budget-2025-in-charts?ref=goodoil.news) Chris Knox (Herald): [Every budget item in one interactive](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-every-budget-item-in-one-interactive/EN5MVTETVREINN32FKU4P3ZISE/?ref=goodoil.news) Stuff: [Budget 2025: By the numbers](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360698590/budget-2025-numbers?ref=goodoil.news) Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ ‘Growth Budget’ will aim to expand the economy and slowly shrink the Government](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/133387/finance-minister-nicola-willis%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98growth-budget%E2%80%99-will-aim-expand-economy-and?ref=goodoil.news) 1News: [Full video: Q+A Budget 2025 special with John Campbell](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/live-stream-qa-budget-2025-special-with-john-campbell/?ref=goodoil.news) Terry Baucher (Interest): [A welcome investment boost, the Ghost of Bill English appears and low-income families still face high tax rates](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/133401/te-wiki-o-te-t%C4%81ke-%E2%80%93-new-zealand-tax-podcast-budget-special-%E2%80%93-welcome?ref=goodoil.news) Gabi Lardies (Spinoff): [A guide to the 2025 Growth Budget for people who hate budgets](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-05-2025/a-guide-to-the-2025-growth-budget-for-people-that-hate-budgets?ref=goodoil.news) Spinoff: [Gone By Lunchtime x When The Facts Change: A Budget special](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-05-2025/gone-by-lunchtime-x-when-the-facts-change-a-budget-special?ref=goodoil.news) **KIWISAVER** Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): [Govt halves contribution to workers’ retirement savings; employers get tax cuts](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/govt-halves-contribution-to-workers-retirement-savings-employers-get-tax-cuts/?ref=goodoil.news) Derek Cheng (Herald): [The clock is ticking on the maximum KiwiSaver Govt top-up. You have five more weeks](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-the-clock-is-ticking-on-the-maximum-kiwisaver-govt-top-up-you-have-five-more-weeks/HCKR2DPPUJFGZOYFGAPUKAJ7F4/?ref=goodoil.news) Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [What will KiwiSaver changes mean for your balance?](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561826/budget-2025-what-will-kiwisaver-changes-mean-for-your-balance?ref=goodoil.news) Lillian Hanly (RNZ): [KiwiSaver is changing - what you need to know](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561812/budget-2025-kiwisaver-is-changing-what-you-need-to-know?ref=goodoil.news) Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Government slashes KiwiSaver contributions, default rate climbs to 4%](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360698403/budget-2025-government-slashes-kiwisaver-contributions-default-rate-climbs-4?ref=goodoil.news) Justin Hu (1News): [What will the Govt's big KiwiSaver changes mean for you?](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/what-will-the-govts-big-kiwisaver-changes-mean-for-you/?ref=goodoil.news) Eric Frykberg (Interest): [Government raises employee and employer contributions to KiwiSaver but cuts its own contribution in half](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/133400/kiwisaver-employer-and-employee-default-contributions-rise-4-3-while?ref=goodoil.news) Greg Hurrell (BusinessDesk): [KiwiSaver tweaked to increase savings rates and cut Govt costs](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/budget-2025/budget-2025-kiwisaver-tweaked-to-increase-savings-rates-and-cut-govt-costs?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Nicholas Pointon (NBR): [Govt halves KiwiSaver top up; default contributions to rise](https://www.nbr.co.nz/budget-2025/govts-kiwisaver-top-up-halved-default-contributions-to-rise/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Kelly Dennett (Herald): [Default KiwiSaver rates to increase from 3% to 4%](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360698381/budget-2025-default-kiwisaver-rates-increase-3-4?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **BUSINESS** RNZ: [Depreciation tweaks 'really positive' - accountant](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/budget-2025/561835/budget-2025-depreciation-tweaks-really-positive-accountant?ref=goodoil.news) Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): [One-off 20% write-down on new assets](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/budget-2025-one-off-20-write-down-on-new-assets?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [$1.7 billion annual incentive to businesses to bring forward investments](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360697738/budget-2025-17-billion-annual-incentive-businesses-bring-forward-investments?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): [Banking on a boost from investment](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/budget-2025-banking-on-a-boost-from-investment?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Tax breaks to boost investment, as trade war whacks growth](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/133397/government-increase-kiwisaver-contribution-rates-and-give-firms-tax-break?ref=goodoil.news) Nicholas Pointon (NBR): [Accelerated depreciation headlines Govt’s plan to boost growth](https://www.nbr.co.nz/budget-2025/accelerated-depreciation-headlines-govts-plan-to-boost-growth/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **EDUCATION** John Gerritsen (RNZ): ['Underperforming' areas cut to pay for 'seismic shift' in education](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/budget-2025/561815/budget-2025-underperforming-areas-cut-to-pay-for-seismic-shift-in-education?ref=goodoil.news) Raphael Franks (Herald): [Increased funding for private schools to support ‘diversity, choice’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/budget-2025-increased-funding-for-private-schools-to-support-diversity-choice/SLDW27Q7VRGRRG54Z4AX6SVJ7M/?ref=goodoil.news) Kate Nicol-Williams (1News): [$646 million boost for student learning support](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-646-million-boost-for-student-learning-support/?ref=goodoil.news) **WELFARE, FAMILIES** Isaac Davison (Herald): [Nearly 9000 teens no longer eligible for unemployment benefit under new ‘parent test’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2025-nearly-9000-teens-no-longer-eligible-for-unemployment-benefit-under-new-parent-test/DJAE4VBLQNH67AD6SGRP6IMQPA/?ref=goodoil.news) Stuff: [How Nicola Willis plans to get young people off Playstation and into training or work](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360698705/budget-2025-how-nicola-willis-plans-get-young-people-playstation-and-training-or-work?ref=goodoil.news) Kelly Dennett (Post): [Government to means-test teen beneficiaries](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360698609/budget-2025-government-means-test-teen-beneficiaries?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Herald: [Best Start payments to be means-tested across all three years](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/budget-2025-best-start-payments-to-be-means-tested-across-all-three-years/YYR5W3MHCZCNJCLQQDVQMX7PTY/?ref=goodoil.news) **HEALTH** RNZ: [No surprises in health, some prescriptions to go annual](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561814/budget-2025-no-surprises-in-health-some-prescriptions-to-go-annual?ref=goodoil.news) 1News: [Kiwis to get 12-month medicine prescriptions](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-kiwis-to-get-12-month-medicine-prescriptions/?ref=goodoil.news) Mariné Lourens (Press/Post): [Budget 2025 promises hospital redevelopment, longer prescriptions, new 111 mental health response](https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/360697259/whats-budget-2025-arts-and-culture?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **MEDIA** RNZ: [More money for journalists, less for RNZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561829/budget-2025-more-money-for-journalists-less-for-rnz?ref=goodoil.news) Shayne Currie (Herald): [RNZ funding slashed by $18m over next four years, minister wants stronger audience reach, trust levels](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-rnz-funding-to-be-slashed-by-18m-over-next-four-years-minister-expects-stronger-audience-reach-trust-levels/UTEDZWFP4BCRFE3SCE6MNOCPR4/?ref=goodoil.news) Stewart Sowman-Lund and Nikki Macdonald (Post): [Funding cut for RNZ, minister issues 'trust’ challenge](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360698422/budget-2025-funding-cut-rnz-minister-issues-trust-challenge?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **DEFENCE** Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Defence Force could get more 'killer drones' after Budget boost](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/561828/defence-force-could-get-more-killer-drones-after-budget-boost?ref=goodoil.news) **SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY** Fox Meyer (Newsroom): [Gene tech the winner in new science budget](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/05/22/gene-tech-the-winner-in-new-science-budget/?ref=goodoil.news) Science Media Centre: [Budget 2025: Science system funding – Expert Reaction](https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-science-system-funding-expert-reaction/?ref=goodoil.news) Chris Keall (Herald): [$212m in cuts to existing programmes as funds ‘reprioritised’; Elevate mini top-up; modest spending on new agencies confirmed](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/budget-2025-and-tech-212m-in-cuts-to-existing-programmes-as-funds-reprioritised-elevate-mini-top-up-modest-spending-on-new-agencies-confirmed/KTFTN74BMVAJVL2Z6RW6T74FLM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **JUSTICE** Katie Ham (Post): [$1.1 billion crackdown on crime with tranche of fresh initiatives](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360697465/budget-2025-11-billion-crackdown-crime-tranche-fresh-initiatives?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Neil Sands (LawNews): [Budget 2025 targets court backlogs, $95 million boost for legal aid](https://lawnews.nz/politics/budget-2025-targets-court-backlogs-95-million-boost-for-legal-aid/?ref=goodoil.news) **ENERGY** Jamie Gray (Herald): [Energy sector welcomes $200m Government gas exploration fund](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/energy/budget-2025-energy-sector-welcomes-200m-government-gas-exploration-fund/MMB5AO5JFFGDJG44QNEYGYFF6M/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Greg Hurrell (BusinessDesk): [Government offers $200m for would-be gas investors](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/budget-2025/budget-2025-government-offers-200m-for-would-be-gas-investors?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **TAX** Matt Nippert (Herald): [How a $35m funding boost aims to tackle NZ’s ballooning tax debt](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/budget-2025-how-a-35m-funding-boost-aims-to-tackle-nzs-ballooning-tax-debt/ELDW5VQ42BE2HN7YMYAUETLVMM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) # Cartoons ![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbc143dc4-a686-4e8b-8a67-8390166e00d1_1672x932.png) 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