A $10 million investment in Budget 2026 is being welcomed as a major commitment to the future of Māori art, cultural leadership, and the international recognition of taonga Māori. Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust says the funding will help strengthen Māori artistic excellence and expand opportunities for Māori artists, curators, and cultural leaders both nationally…

Child poverty advocates say Budget 2026 has failed New Zealand’s most vulnerable tamariki, warning the Government’s latest spending plans do little to improve the long-term future of children growing up in hardship. The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services says the Government’s “Securing New Zealand’s Future” Budget lacks meaningful action to reduce child poverty,…

New Zealand First minister Shane Jones says Budget 2026 reflects the reality of coalition government, with competing political priorities forcing compromises as ministers attempt to balance economic restraint, regional development and mounting pressure from households and businesses. The Budget arrives after weeks of signalling from Finance Minister Nicola Willis that this would be one of…