Budget 2018

Left to right: Greens leader James Shaw, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern, NZ First leader Winston Peters

Budget 2018: Is a camel a horse designed by committee?

The compromises of the Labour-led government’s first budget was a sign of consultation required in the coalition.

By Greg Thompson | 24th May, 2018

Budget lockup lunch featuring chocolate lamington and lukewarm tartlet.

The lamingtons were delicious: The Spinoff joins the pre-Budget lockup

A few hours hours before the budget is announced to the public, journalists and other interested parties get a preview in a secure room deep inside the Beehive. This year, Jess McAllen was among them.

By Jess McAllen | 18th May, 2018

Contributing writer

The Labour/Greens coalition campaigned on bringing in the Budget Responsibility Rules. (Photo: Getty).

Budget 2018: the great Spinoff hot-take fry-up

How did Grant Robertson and co fare? Experts from across a range of sectors give their verdicts.

By Group Think | 17th May, 2018

A bunch of people

Grant Robertson has faced consistent calls to open the purse strings and spend. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Budget 18 is stuck in the present. We need investment in innovation for the future

The Budget's R&D spend looks less than futuristic, says Grant Thornton's Greg Thompson.

By Greg Thompson | 17th May, 2018

Grant Robertson and the blame-it-on-the-last-bunch budget

Grant Robertson and the blame-it-on-the-last-bunch budget

Labour is seeking to sell today's funding announcements as an exercise in cleaning up National's mess

By Rebecca Stevenson | 17th May, 2018

The regions: where it’s at. (Illustration: Toby Morris)

Invest in the regions to save Auckland from itself

What might the 2018 Budget deliver on regional economic development, and how will it intersect with our largest city? Grant Thornton's Murray Brewer casts his eye over the options and opportunities.

By Murray Brewer | 1st May, 2018