The economy is showing its resilience in the face of the second largest natural disaster to hit New Zealand, with GDP falling a fraction (0.1%) during the first three months of the year.

The Government is welcoming the Auckland Council’s initial engagement with property owners affected by extreme weather events earlier this year.

Grant Robertson will leave on Wednesday to travel to Sydney and Canberra to meet with business and political leaders to promote investment and strengthen relations with our closest neighbour.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Climate Minister James Shaw have met in Wellington with their Australian counterparts, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, for the inaugural Australia–New Zealand Climate and Finance Ministers’ meeting.

The Government books are reflecting a further moderation in economic activity, although New Zealand is well placed to face the challenges of living costs, recent extreme weather and a subdued g

The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties.

The Government is setting aside $6 billion to build back better with greater resilience from the recent Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, and protect New Zealanders from increasingly severe and unpredictable weather events.

The economy is set to perform better than it did during the GFC despite the challenging global environment, with Treasury forecasting New Zealand will avoid recession.

The Government has announced a billion dollar flood and cyclone recovery package as part of Budget 2023 that covers the basics of rebuilding roads, rail and schools while preparing for future events with a big investment in flood protection measures.

Budget 2023 strikes a careful balance between supporting New Zealanders with the costs of today, while also charting a course for a more productive and resilient economy.

Moderation in economic activity is being reflected in the Government’s books, although New Zealand is still well positioned to deal with the challenges ahead, including the cost of living, the impact of recent extreme weather and the uncertain global economy.

New Zealanders are in paid work in record numbers and wages are outpacing inflation as the Government’s economic plan continues to deliver more jobs and growing wages to help with cost of living pressures.

More reliable, efficient, and safer train services are coming for Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa commuters as the Government invests in a fleet of 18 new trains.

Inflation has come in lower than all market expectations but the Government is still focussed on bringing it down further and helping kiwis with the cost of living.

The Government is providing an additional $25 million to help more businesses in the clean-up from the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle affected regions and get them back on their feet.

Grant Robertson departs this evening for Washington DC to attend the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Government’s balanced and disciplined financial management has left New Zealand well placed to focus on supporting Kiwis dealing with cost of living pressures and the recovery and rebuild of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Government has released its interim response to the Productivity Commission’s Report, Immigration – Fit for the Future.

The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods.

The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment.

The Government is providing a further $25 million in grants to help more businesses in cyclone-affected regions with the clean up and get them back up and running.

Ministers have agreed to extend the interim support package for cyclone and flood affected businesses to include the Wairarapa region.