Budget 2012

Bill English John Key Finance Prime Minister

Budget 2012 - Special Feature

The Government is firmly focused on rebuilding and strengthening the economy to get back to surplus by 2014/15. Budget 2012 sets out the next steps we’re taking to meet this commitment. 

Budget 2012 invests in New Zealand’s future with significantly more money for science and innovation, health, and education, while keeping the Government on track for surplus in 2014/15.

Our priorities are responsibly managing the Government’s finances, building a more productive and competitive economy, delivering better public services within tight financial constraints, and rebuilding Christchurch.

POST-BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hon Hekia Parata, Education Minister
07 June 2012

Teacher funding ratios to remain the same

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today moved to put parents’ and teachers’ minds at rest following decisions made in Budget 2012.

Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister for Social Development
07 June 2012

Supporting safe environments for children

New funding announced in the 2012 Budget, to provide $3 million each year to help create safe and nurturing environments for children, was launched today by Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia in Hastings.

Hon Peter Dunne, Associate Minister of Health
Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health
1 June 2012

$8m community support to prevent suicide

New investment of $8 million over four years will support communities to help prevent suicide, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne and Associate health Minister Tariana Turia say.

Hon Hekia Parata, Education Minister
29 May 2012

Minister provides assurances to schools

Education Minister Hekia Parata says no school will lose more than two full-time teachers (FTTEs) as a result of the policy changes in Budget 2012.

Hon Bill English, Finance Minister
28 May 2012

Budget 2012 app popular new initiative

The Government’s new smartphone and tablet app for Budget 2012 was downloaded more than 8,600 times and was New Zealand’s most popular free-download app on Budget day, Finance Minister Bill English says.

 

MEDIA RELEASES AND SPEECHES: 24 May 2012

Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister

Budget 2012: Investing in New Zealand’s future

Budget 2012 invests in New Zealand’s future with significantly more money for science and innovation, and health and education, while keeping the Government on track for surplus in 2014/15, Prime Minister John Key says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Competitive economy, surplus at heart of Budget

Budget 2012 invests in building an innovative and productive economy that sells more to the world, supports more jobs, and delivers better public services while getting back to fiscal surplus, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Budget 2012 – Investing In Our Future

Budget initiatives at a glance.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Remaining on track to Budget surplus in 2014/15

Budget 2012 sets out a programme of balanced measures to ensure the Government remains on track to return to surplus in 2014/15, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Budget frees up $4.4 billion for higher priorities

Budget 2012 has freed up $4.4 billion to invest in improving frontline public services and getting better results, while running a zero Budget, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Budget focuses on better public service results

Budget 2012 includes further steps towards an innovative, efficient public sector delivering better results for New Zealanders within tight financial constraints, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Future Investment Fund for modern infrastructure

Schools, health, science and innovation, and transport all benefit in Budget 2012 from the Future Investment Fund set up to invest proceeds from the sale of minority shareholdings in four SOEs and Air New Zealand, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance

Hon Craig Foss
Minister of Commerce

Changes build on success of KiwiSaver

Budget 2012 makes changes that will further improve KiwiSaver and lift investor confidence, Finance Minister Bill English and Commerce Minister Craig Foss say.

Hon Gerry Brownlee
Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Recovery Fund helping Canterbury communities

Investment from the $5.5 billion Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund is on track, with thousands of people benefiting, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Hon Gerry Brownlee
Minister of Transport

Government transport investment continues

KiwiRail will receive $250 million of capital in 2012/13 for its Turnaround Plan to help the rail freight business become sustainable, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister of Science and Innovation

$326m boost for science, innovation, and research

Budget 2012 delivers on the Government’s commitment to building a more competitive and productive economy, with $250 million of new operating funding and $76.1 million in capital funding over four years for science, innovation, and research.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Tertiary savings fund new investment

Budget 2012 rebalances the Government’s $4.3 billion investment in tertiary education between expenditure on student support and investment in tuition and research, says Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

$159m to strengthen higher-level tertiary education

Budget 2012 commits $158.9 million over four years to invest in engineering, science, and research-led learning in our tertiary institutions, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

3,000 more Youth Guarantee places funded

Budget 2012 continues the Government’s support for foundation training for young people, with 3,000 more places funded over the next four years under the Youth Guarantee Scheme.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

$29.5m to stimulate competitive innovation in tertiary sector

Budget 2012 commits $29.5 million operating spending over four years for Private Training Establishments (PTEs), to create a fairer funding system that rewards competitive innovation across the tertiary sector.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Economic Development

Two MED funds cancelled

Two Ministry of Economic Development funds with ambiguous aims are being cancelled, with savings returned to the Government, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Hon Judith Collins
Minister of Justice

Justice sector funding pool for better results

A new cross-agency funding pool will give the justice sector flexibility to invest in areas that deliver better results to New Zealanders, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Hon Judith Collins
Minister for ACC

ACC performance improvement continues

Better performance in the ACC Non-Earners’ Account will free up $52.8 million of taxpayer funding in 2012/13, which will be returned to the Government, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health

Health receives largest increase in spending

Health receives the largest increase in government spending in the Budget, with $435 million available to help fund cost pressures and new initiatives in 2012/13, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health

$68m for more operations, scans and tests

Budget 2012 is delivering a further $68 million of operating funding over the next four years to maintain the record levels of elective surgery achieved under the National-led Government, and to further reduce waiting times for patients.

Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health

$33m more for improved cancer services

Budget 2012 is delivering an additional $33 million in operating funding over the next four years for better and faster services for cancer patients, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

Hon Hekia Parata
Minister of Education

$511.9m more to deliver better results for students

Budget 2012 focuses on raising student achievement by investing $511.9 million of operating funding for new initiatives in education over the next four years, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

Hon Hekia Parata
Minister of Education

$110.9m to increase early childhood participation

Extra Budget operating funding of $110.9 million for early childhood education (ECE) over the next four years continues the Government’s drive to increase the number of vulnerable children participating in ECE, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

Hon Hekia Parata
Minister of Education

Hon Craig Foss
Associate Minister of Education

First investment to develop 21st Century Schools

The Government is investing the first $33.8 million of proceeds from the Future Investment Fund into upgrading school IT networks, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Craig Foss say.

Hon Hekia Parata
Minister of Education

Hon Amy Adams
Minister for Communications and Information Technology

Hundreds of schools to benefit from broadband

Budget 2012 continues the Government’s commitment to making New Zealand schools among the most connected in the world, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams say.

Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development

$287.5m up-front investment in welfare reforms

The Government is making an up-front investment of $287.5 million over the next four years in the first phase of its welfare reforms, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development

Extra support for vulnerable youth

Budget 2012 includes an $18.3 million investment over the next four years in mental health services for children and young people, Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett says.

Hon Anne Tolley
Minister of Police
Minister of Corrections

Setting targets for safer communities, less crime

Budget 2012 supports better public services by contributing to targets that will reduce prisoner reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017 and result in 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year, Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says.

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Defence

Govt delivers on Defence White Paper reforms

The New Zealand Defence Force is to retain about $142 million a year in operating savings it has freed up to improve its military capability, delivering on the Government’s promise in the Defence White Paper.

Hon Phil Heatley
Minister of Housing

$104m investment to support affordable housing

Budget 2012 clearly signals the Government’s commitment to supporting affordable housing and the growth of non-government housing providers, Housing Minister Phil Heatley says.

Hon Phil Heatley
Energy and Resources

Thousands more NZ homes to be insulated

An extra 41,000 New Zealand homes will be warmer, drier and healthier, thanks to the extension of the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme.

Hon Maurice Williamson
Minister for Land Information

Canterbury survey network receives $800,000

Land Information New Zealand has received $800,000 in new operating funding for 2012/13 so vital re-surveying of the Canterbury region can continue, Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Hon Chester Borrows
Minister for Courts

Modern and accessible courts services a priority

The Government is modernising the court system to improve the way it works for all New Zealanders, Courts Minister Chester Borrows says.

Hon Peter Dunne
Minister of Revenue

Budget changes raise revenue, increase fairness

The Government is taking a number of steps to tighten the tax system by closing loopholes and updating the tax credit system, which will generate hundreds of millions of dollars of extra revenue over the next four years.

Hon Peter Dunne
Minister of Revenue

More money for successful tax compliance

Budget 2012 will provide Inland Revenue with an extra $78.4 million over the next four years to bolster its successful tax compliance activities in dealing with the hidden economy, debt collection, and following up on unfiled returns, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Māori Affairs
Associate Minister of Education

Government support for Māori education

Māori education remains a Government priority, despite the challenging economic climate, Māori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples says.

Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Māori Affairs

Cadetships a focus for Māori Affairs

The Government will fund 1,000 Māori cadetships over the next four years, Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says.

Hon Tariana Turia
Associate Minister of Health

Tobacco excise rise part of wider programme

Tobacco excise taxes will increase by 10 per cent a year on 1 January in each of the next four years as part of a wider government programme to prevent young people from taking up smoking and encourage existing smokers to quit, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says.

Hon Tariana Turia
Associate Minister of Health

Fund to improve health of Pasifika communities

A new $6 million Pacific Innovation Fund will help improve the health of Pasifika people, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says.

 

Pre-Budget Announcements

22 May 2012
Hon Bill English, Minister of Finance
Budget 2012 goes high tech with new app

The Government will launch a smartphone and tablet app for Budget 2012 on Thursday, providing more ready access to Budget material and helping to reduce the need for printed documents, Finance Minister Bill English says.

19 May 2012
Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Corrections
Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Associate Minister of Corrections

Budget 2012: Reducing reoffending, victims of crime

Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say.

17 May 2012
Hon Gerry Brownlee - Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister
Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on track

The recovery of Canterbury is on track and is starting to hit its stride, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

16 May 2012
Hekia Parata, Minister of Education
Budget 2012: Extra $511.9 million for education

Budget 2012 will deliver funding that is firmly focused on raising student achievement, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.

Hekia Parata, Minister of Education
Speech Notes: Raising achievement for all in Budget 2012

Education is a subject that’s dear to my heart and head - and indeed yours, as future employers and business associates of the generation of young New Zealanders who are coming through our education system today.

15 May 2012
Tony Ryall, Health Minister
Tariana Turia, Disability Issues Minister

Budget 2012: $144m more for Disability support

Budget 2012 will make available $143.7 million over the next four years to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

14 May 2012
Tony Ryall, Health Minister
Budget 2012: $101m for surgery, cancer services

The Budget next week will provide $101 million of extra funding over the next four years for more elective operations and scans, and improved cancer services, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

Tony Ryall, Health Minister
Budget 2012: Prescription charges help fund Health

Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector.

10 May 2012
Amy Adams, Minister for the Environment
Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs
Budget 2012: Environmental programme benefits schools

9 May 2012
Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister for Health
Budget 2012: Taking on rheumatic fever

The Government’s campaign to stamp out a third world disease reached Porirua today with a new school throat swabbing programme - part of a $24 million five-year campaign to reduce rheumatic fever.

7 May 2012
Hon Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Development
Budget 2012: Extra funding for welfare reforms

The Budget this month will provide $287.5 million over the next four years for the first phase of the Government’s welfare reforms to help more New Zealanders into work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

3 May 2012
Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Tertiary Education
Investing in tertiary education in Budget 2012 – Press Release

The Government will rebalance our spending in tertiary education between expenditure on student support and investment in tuition and research.  The Government remains committed to interest-free student loans.

1 May 2012
Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
Budget 2012 – sticking to a plan that’s working – Press Release
Pre-Budget Speech to Business New Zealand – Speech

The Prime Minister has reconfirmed the Government's commitment to build a brighter future for you and your family though our four main priorities in the upcoming Budget.

These are:

  • Responsibly managing the government’s finances
  • Building a stronger and more competitive economy
  • Better public services
  • Rebuilding Canterbury.

26 April 2012
Hon Bill English, Minister of Finance
Budget 2012 will confirm surplus in 2014/15  - Press Release
Government to strengthen fiscal responsibility – Press Release
Speech to the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce – Speech

Budget 2012 will confirm our commitment to responsibly manage the Government’s finances and get back to surplus by 2014/15.

The Government will also make changes to strengthen the accountability on spending decisions made by all government ministers.