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Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced a refocus in the coalition government's approach to employment efforts and the welfare system. This new approach prioritises supporting people into work. Minister Upston expressed particular concern about the increasing number of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), which rose by 3,000 people over the December quarter. Furthermore, Minister Upston emphasised the troubling fact that 40,00

New Zealand plans to raise its adult minimum wage by 2% to $23.15 per hour from April 1, 2024, as stated by Minister Brooke van Velden. The increase is intended to support low-income workers, but the minister advises caution due to economic challenges, including high net migration and slow economic growth. While acknowledging New Zealand's relatively generous minimum wage within the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the minister also recognizes po

In the 12 months leading to the December 2023 quarter, New Zealand's consumer price index (CPI) rose by 4.7%. Nicola Growden, Senior Manager of Consumer Prices, remarked that while this marks the smallest annual increase in the CPI in over two years, it continues to exceed the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's target range of 1 to 3%. The primary driver behind the annual inflation rate for the December 2023 quarter was housing and household utilities, with rent, construction, and

The coalition Government is confirming that the exemption from road user charges (RUC) for owners of light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids will end from 1 April. Transport Minister, Hon Simeon Brown, announced the transition of EVs and plug-in hybrids to Road User Charges (RUC) is to ensure fairness and equity in contributing to road maintenance costs. This move aligns with the National-ACT coalition commitment to integrate all vehicles into the RUC system. From A

The Half-year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) was delivered against a backdrop of considerable uncertainty and ongoing risks both domestically and internationally. In short, tax revenue growth is slowing, deficits are larger than forecast, and economic growth per capita is in decline. A considerable deterioration of the Government’s books since the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) means that there is limited ability for the Government to support new initiati