It’s a Wellbeing Budget: investment in health is critical. The brief is to keep everything going as well as being prepared for further response to the pandemic, with a total investment of $5.6b in services and $755m in capital investment, including:

Transport infrastructure receives $197.1m operating total and $1.1b total capital, including $399.5m to replace the ageing inter-island ferries, and $421.7m to replace ageing locomotives and upgrade maintenance facilities.

The Budget invests nearly $1b for the core provision of education services, as well as $186m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund , specifically for supporting distance learning for students during lockdown.

The primary sector’s critical role in economic growth is acknowledged in a core package of nearly $500m. $193.5m is pledged to continuing the Mycoplasma Bovis Eradication Programme and $79.6m for rebuilding the forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) infrastructure.

New Zealand Department of Justice court buildings receive a $163.5m capital upgrade for health and safety. Emergency services receive $47.8m to upgrade its communication network.
Some expenditure, such as that for adult education and water safety, is relatively small but could make a difference for many.

We know this Budget runs up debt and we’ll pay for it further on. This is generating lively debate to say the least. It’s not like we’re alone. Every country on the planet is facing hard choices at the moment. If we can stimulate growth over the coming quarters, we’ll be in a more realistic position to talk about good fiscal control.