Budget 2022 NZ

The health sector is being given $13.2 billion over the next four years including more than $1.8b in new spending in the coming year to address historical ...

This includes $37m to develop over 2500 nurses, physios, pharmacists and opticians. The authority would get $168m in total over four years towards delivering hauora Māori services. A $550m deficit was forecast for this year alone. Over the next four years $76m is allocated to developing the health workforce. "Māori die at twice the rate as non-Māori from cardiovascular disease, Māori tamariki have a mortality rate one-and-a-half times the rate found in non-Māori children, Māori are more likely to be diagnosed and die from cancer, and Māori die on average seven years earlier than non-Māori." "Māori deserve to live longer and healthier lives, and that is why this Government is reforming our healthcare system, and why we established a new Māori Health Authority as part of the reform. A transitional package for the new Health NZ, replacing the country's network of 20 DHBs, and the Māori Health Authority over the next four years includes $11.1b to address cost pressures and $2.1b on new services, which Finance Minister Grant Robertson called a "record" spend for the sector. This includes $188 million for the Māori Health Authority to commission services, and $102m over the next three years to provide better, earlier GP and community care and to ease pressure on hospitals. There was also $2.1b to be spent over the next four years on a range of different services, which included a $166m boost to ambulance services. The health sector is being given $13.2 billion over the next four years including more than $1.8b in new spending in the coming year to address historical cost pressures, boost the workforce and guide in the health reforms. Another $76m over the next four years will be spent to boost the primary healthcare workforce by the thousands. • $102m over the next three years to provide better, earlier GP and community care and to ease pressure on hospitals.

Early, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government's Budget would "deal with the immediacy of economic and health challenges Kiwis are facing". "We'll ...

"We'll also look into the challenges of tomorrow in seeking to buffer our people from both. People receiving the higher Winter Energy Payment are not eligible for the government's $350 cash payment to address cost of living rises. Inequality campaigners say the government's cost of living payment is a slap in the face to some of the country's most vulnerable.

HEALTH: $11 billion over four years to clear DHB deficits and catch up with cost pressures ahead of the rollout of the health reforms, $188m for the Māori ...

Also, $1.8b for public and transitional housing programme. Fuel tax cuts and half-price public transport extended for another two months to the end of August. The Covid response will now be funded out of government department budgets. INFLATION: Forecast to peak around 6.9 per cent in the middle of this year before easing to 5.2 per cent in 2023 and dropping to below 3 per cent by 2026. EDUCATION: $2b including $300m to set up the replacement to the decile system (the Equity Index). Also, $777m for new classrooms and schools. HEALTH: $11 billion over four years to clear DHB deficits and catch up with cost pressures ahead of the rollout of the health reforms, $188m for the Māori Health Authority. Also, $1.3b to upgrade hospitals, including Whangārei, Nelson and Hillmorton and $1.1b more funding for measures such as more ambulances and helicopters, GPs and Māori providers.

On Monday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced the new ERP would come with a $4.5b climate-focused fund, paid for by Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) ...

"Seven million a year more in deer and goat control is a start, but will need to be greatly expanded if the country's climate change and biodiversity goals are to be achieved," she said. "We've been arguing for funding for biodiversity incentives, and it appears they've done this – but on the climate change front, the real anomaly remains the position of agriculture, which continues to be subsidised out of everyone else's pockets." The Government was intending to spend $145m on native forest replanting and restoration, along with a further $111m on research into carbon storage in native forests. Elsewhere in environment and conservation spends, about $5m in capital funding over four years was going toward rebuilding West Coast infrastructure in the wake of Cyclone Dovi in February, while $2.2m in operating funding over the next year would support a new iwi-owned visitor centre at Punakaiki. Created in 2020, the strategy was last month put into practice with a new implementation plan to protect and manage the country's thousands of under-pressure native species by 2050. Vote Environment allocations in today's Budget included around $180m over the next four years for work related to reforms of the RMA – due to be replaced with three new acts – of which about $133m was tagged as contingency funding.

PM says budget, which includes major spending on climate and health care reform, aims to ensure long term 'economic and social security'

Opposition parties on the right are advocating for tax cuts, and said the budget would contribute to the “brain drain” by driving young New Zealanders in search of greener pastures. $202mn was assigned to invest in the mental health system and addiction treatment. Addressing the climate crisis was the other major spending line, with $2.9bn of climate investments in energy security and decarbonising transport. All in all, the budget outlined more than $13.2bn in health system investments over the next four years, which Robertson said was the largest ever investment in New Zealand’s health system. “Eighty-one per cent of working age New Zealanders are now being supported through these cost of living pressures as a result of what we’ve done in this budget,” Grant Robertson said. Finance minister Grant Robertson announced more than $1bn for cost of living relief, including a weekly cash payment that will go out to nearly 2.1 million New Zealanders. The $814m relief package will be distributed for three months to those earning less than $70,000, at a rate of $27 per person a week, or about $350 in total.

ANALYSIS: Who has the Finance Minister left smiling with Budget 2022, and who should be feeling short-changed?

Health Minister Andrew Little said this will better allow it to cope with pandemic-related global supply chain issues and inflation, as well as buying better cancer treatments. But there’s also plans to increase assistance, as well. That’s about 20% on top of its current annual $1b budget. Obviously, if you made $80,000 then you’d probably rather have your salary, but if you’re just over $70,000 you’d lose out. (To be clear those with kids who are on Working For Families are also eligible.) Those who aren’t eligible are at the top of the income spectrum or the bottom: They either make more than $70,000, or if they are on a main benefit, they get the Winter Energy payment instead. But this year, those in this middle get a decent payment to deal with cost of living pressures - $350 from August, as long as they made less than $70,001 in the last tax year.

Budget 2022 is here and the Government has revealed how it will divvy up funding. Relief for cost of living has been announced, as well as funding for New ...

The Government responds to the financial pain of the 'squeezed middle' with a $1 billion Budget cost-of-living package, writes political editor Jo Moir.

“For our whānau, this means the Māori Health Authority will be able to fund services that best suit our people and the services they are asking for. Reader donations are critical to what we do. To support the creation and operation of the new public media entity, that will merge RNZ and TVNZ, $327m has been allocated over three years from 2023. Robertson told media in the Budget lock-up that the significant funding was about building capacity and services over time and that it would take several Budgets to see a shift in equitable health outcomes. In the first year, $1.8b will be allocated to health, followed by an additional $1.3b in year two taking it to $3.1b. That budget will continue over the next two years. Over the next four years $11.1 billion has been allocated to the new entities that will replace the 20 district health boards that cease to exist in July.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson presented his Budget for 2022 on Thursday afternoon, announcing $6 billion of spending. Relive 1News' live updates as it ...

To get up to speed ahead of the 2pm announcement, here's what we know so far. "People elected the Green Party to take action on climate change and we are delivering as part of this Government," Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said. Once he has delivered his speech, they will have the opportunity to reply. 2.10pm: "It has been a tough couple of years for New Zealanders," Grant Robertson said at the beginning of his speech. "I want to again thank businesses, workers and all members of our community for your hard work. - The rule will be scrapped that denies sole parents on benefits their child support payment. "As promised by the Minister of Finance, this was a Budget of health and climate, both areas our members have a strong interest in. 2.20pm: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said "our economy has come through the Covid-19 shock better than almost anywhere else in the world. "We asked to make life easier for our whānau out there by taking GST off kai, we didn't see that, we wanted to transfer tax over to more wealth tax, capital gains, empty house tax - 190,000 empty houses across Aotearoa that should be used for the greater good of Aotearoa, we haven't seen that. Meanwhile Sharon Zollner, ANZ Chief Economist, said on the 1News Budget Special that "there weren't too many surprises in here. But as always, the quality of these initiatives will be crucial. - The rule will be scrapped that denies sole parents on benefits their child support payment.

Analysis - Since Grant Robertson became Minister of Finance, government spending has gone up 68 percent. Granting everybody's wishes may be fun, ...

The $350 payment for the squeezed middle is a one-off. For some, this will feel like dropping off a cost of living cliff just before Christmas. For now, people cannot expect their Covid-19 delayed health treatment any earlier as a result of today's spend. Since Grant Robertson became minister of finance, government spending has gone up 68 percent. There are remnants of what they may have hoped from such a big spend - $200 million for light rail in Auckland and new harbour feasibility studies. So if there was a chance to spend big, and get that wish list funded, this was it.

Around $150m in child support each year was being intercepted by the Government, instead of going to sole parents and their kids.

Asked about this, Sepuloni said there would always be a “pocket of people” who would lose slightly, but this was projected to be around 50. It’s a positive move which will actually increase compliance, because non-custodial parents will see that money going to the children.” Others, like Child Poverty Action Group Executive Director Laura Bond, wanted to see the detail. We need to support our most vulnerable, and solo parents do a great job.” It had granted $354m over five years for the change, with most of this kicking in from mid-2023 when it is implemented. The soonest that we can get it into place as mid-year next year, but now we've made the decision.

Increased infrastructure investment will continue to play a critical part in securing New Zealand's recovery from COVID-19.

Funding has been provided to find a way to ensure the service continues. This Government is committed to growing and improving the property of the Māori medium education network. The school property portfolio funding in today’s Budget continues this pipeline and aims to fund a further 280 classrooms at over 40 schools. “I’m really proud of the Government’s investment in school property. This includes $219 million in capital funding that will be provided directly to schools over the next nine years to spend on replacing furniture and equipment,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. This year’s health infrastructure budget delivers critical investment for rebuilds of hospitals in Whangārei, Nelson and Hillmorton,” Health Minister Andrew Little said.

Budget 2022 provides an extra $374m of operating funding and $26m of capital funding to DOC to significantly progress implementation of the Aotearoa New Zealand ...

The increases in departmental and non-departmental appropriations since 2019/20 have been driven by the Covid Recovery and Relief Funds received at Budget 2020. Predator control ($81.3m) Predator control ($81.3m) Tourism infrastructure - maintenance ($33.1m) Visitor management ($5.5m) The decrease in concessions revenue and recreation revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is still having an impact on DOC’s baseline and will continue to do so until revenue recovers to pre-COVID levels. Budget 2019 was more modest, but allowed for DOC’s security, health and safety systems to be strengthened. The most significant funding uplifts secured were: Jobs for Nature: Kaimahi for nature ($200.0m) - Electric vehicles ($10m) - Visitor asset management ($60m) - Deer management and goat control ($30m)

For aspiring first-home buyers, price and income caps will now be reviewed every six months. House price caps will be removed entirely from the ...

"It's got to be a total package. "Any house being built on Māori land is a good start for us. "The Budget increase to the First-Home Grants and First-Home Loans is an admission that this Government has pushed up house prices and they're now pouring more fuel on the fire." A construction sector support fund announced in response to Covid-19 and worth $350 million will now be repurposed, with $200 million of that fund redirected to grants for more affordable housing. - Budget 2022: What's in it for you - $1 billion to tackle ... In Christchurch, the cap will rise from $550,000 to $750,000. The first-home grant price cap in Auckland will rise from $700,000 to $875,000. In Tauranga, the old cap was also $600,000 but now it will be $875,000. The Kāinga Whenua loan cap will jump from $200,000 to $500,000 to provide more options for people buying a home on Māori land, Woods added. In today's Budget, the Government said $1 billion was needed to help existing and planned public and transitional housing through rent subsidies and rising operational costs. The Government will also support some not-for-profit groups with funds to deliver affordable homes. First-home grants are available for single buyers who earn up to $95,000 a year, or for joint buyers or single buyers with one or more dependents earning up to $150,000.

New funding increases for schools and early childcare won't even keep up with inflation, educators have warned following today's Budget announcement.

It's a relatively blunt tool compared to the equity index, which will calculate funding based on the level of disadvantage for each child. "It would be good to see the LSC rollout completed," he said. Some funding has also been included to start making similar changes for the early childcare sector. She also welcomed extra mental health funding for schools, and funding for them to re-engage students, which were announced ahead of the Budget. It has nothing to do with the quality of the school or its teachers - Niuloa says it's a great school that works hard for its students. "The injection of an extra $75 million will ensure that no schools will experience a decrease in funding for 2023, and principals will welcome that." Disability education advocate Frian Wadia was also disappointed no more LSCs were funded, and said it was "absolutely ridiculous" that there was no funding for disputes resolution panels which had been a key suggestion of the Tomorrows' Schools review. The federation welcomed the $135m for the curriculum refresh - a top priority for principals - and $88 million that was announced ahead of the Budget to help schools re-engage students after Covid. The Government's moving ahead with plans to dump the school decile system, replacing it with an equity index at a cost of $300 million from the start of next year. Mental health in schools will also get a boost through $90m for the Mana Ake programme, but NZPF would have liked to see more mental health support for Auckland where half of all students go to school. The absence of any extra funding for learning support coordinators was also "a big hole" which had been raised with the Minister. Couillault said the only really big ticket item for education was the $300m as part of the transition from the decile system to a new equity index.

There was a lot riding on the year's Budget: Cost-of-living challenges, health, climate, education - so did the spending match sectors' hopes?

Minister Chris Hipkins is heading overseas to promote New Zealand as a study destination, some education agents warned it would take time to recover, and immigration changes would hit the India market especially hard. But more would inevitably be needed to complete the shift and bring the health system's infrastructure up to scratch. The government is seeking feedback on how this can be tackled so don't expect much action until that's complete, but already the Insurance Council has warned funds should be set aside for mitigating increasing floods. Expectations Expectations Another $3.6m will help scale up a voluntary carbon market. Expectations were high the popular public transport move would be extended. Expectations Robertson's Budget has needed to walk a fine line between reining in inflationary spending and keeping infrastructure promises, however. Expectations Expectations Expectations

Budget 2022 provides secure funding for the future of New Zealand's health system so every New Zealander can have access to the healthcare they need, ...

These centres will be funded out of the overall Health NZ budget and will also link in with our health research system so we can develop better care and technology for the future. “From 2024 onwards future health budgets will move to a three-year funding cycle. Access to specialist care will be opened up regardless of where you live. “During COVID-19, many Kiwis adapted to using modern health technology, to book their vaccinations and report test results online. Budget 2022 transforms the way we fund our public health service in New Zealand. That isn’t always possible at the moment, with the 20 DHBs each running different IT systems. New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority can have a clean start. “New Zealand’s world-leading health response to COVID-19 shows what we can achieve when our health system works together. Deficits since 2009 have totalled more than $3.5 billion, but the benefit of that spending has not been equally shared by communities across the country. “Having the certainty of two years of budgets, as part of a total $11.1 billion across the forecast period, will allow Health NZ and the Māori Health Authority to get on with the job of delivering the sort of health system that provides the care New Zealanders need and deserve. “A shift to focussing on better, earlier care at GPs and local health centres will ensure New Zealand’s health system can provide quality care, at the right time, and in the right place, while taking pressure off our hospitals,” Andrew Little said. A system that supports our medical staff to deliver better care for patients will be a system that supports all New Zealanders and our economy.

Grant Robertson unveils the 2022 Budget, including a one-off cost of living payment for 2.1m people. Education sector leaders are welcoming “big wins” in this ...

Some would still face a shortfall even after the boost, and some may not opt into the pay parity scheme. Our bustling capital newsroom published nearly 3800 stories in the past year on this city, wind, hail, horizontal rain or shine. But Laube said the funding boost did not deliver parity, and the way the money was delivered, through funding rates, did not work for many centres. Early childhood teachers have been fighting for parity with kindergarten teachers, and the Government is reviewing the funding model for early childhood education. Taylor-Patel said she welcomed the already announced $88m funding in truancy support and $135m announcement for the New Zealand curriculum refresh. "The injection of an extra $75m will ensure that no schools will experience a decrease in funding for 2023, and principals will welcome that."

Aotearoa New Zealand's universities are disappointed that despite their potential to be the key to improving wellbeing, addressing climate change and ...

But there is only a 0.1% increase forecast for our biggest and most important research funding source, the Performance-Based Research Fund, from $303.97 million to $304.17 million." Although universities’ operating costs in the past 15 years have increased by more than 80%, SAC funding has increased by just over 50%. Budget 2022’s SAC increase of $29.892 million to $1,463.1 million includes a 1.2% increase from January 2022 and 2.75% from January 2023. He highlights the importance of resilience and ‘putting an intergenerational lens on investments’. "Borders may be reopening from 31 July but universities have a hard battle ahead rebuilding their international student numbers after the impacts of Covid-19. Yet the Government is reducing funding for international education from $38 million to $35 million," says Mr Whelan. "Why then is he continuing to neglect investment in one of the best mechanisms New Zealand has to achieve these and most other priorities in Budget 2022?" He talks about the country’s economic security depending on transitioning to a high-wage, low-emissions economy.

Nearly $3 billion is going towards the education sector as it moves away from the decile system and addresses pay parity issues. There are also small incre.

Another $112.7m in funding ($40 million of which is from existing baselines) is also being made available to increase funding for enrolments. This includes $75 million per year in additional equity funding for schools with higher levels of socio-economic need." - Author

Major health investments and a one-off $350 payment stole the show in Budget 2022.

"I think that's a really, really great start to addressing some of those big issues that people are facing in our area, such as the overcrowding issue... I think a lot of that has got to do with the health reforms that I'm a really big fan of." In its second year it will get $1.3 billion. Mulligan was concerned there was a focus on training new people to work in the health sector and not enough of a focus on retaining the people already here and in it. "This is definitely a well-being Budget for the people, as was tabled before it was announced." Whanganui Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Glenda Brown said she was disappointed in the lack of support for businesses but she gave a nod to a new Business Growth Fund set up to support small business. "I do hope, though, that the investment in Health New Zealand is equitable to the Māori Health Authority and that they are really looking at better health outcomes for our own people," he said. "In recognition of higher costs at the moment, I think that's a really good start," "I said I wanted to see some investments in the health and wellbeing of people and I think we've seen that today," he said. Whether it was money for the nationwide transition from district health boards to Health NZ and the Māori Health Authority, money for Pharmac for more drugs, a mental health boost or an increase in emergency dental grants - health was a major focus of Budget 2022. It was important that people knew they were entitled to that new grant of $1000 and ensuring there were dental workers to provide the care, she said. For many in the health sector this was a Budget with a lot to talk about.