Matt Tukaki & Matt Roskruge –   Treasury’s pre-election opening of the books shows a stronger outlook for Government finances, but a less convincing improvement for households. The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update, or PREFU, sets out Treasury’s forecasts for the economy and Crown finances under current government policies. It gives voters a common starting…

Listen to the audio Books Brighten, But Inflation Delivers a Sting in the Tail Finance Minister Nicola Willis has received a pre-election boost, with Treasury’s latest forecasts showing the Government books improving faster than expected — but much of the improvement comes from higher tax revenue linked to stronger and more persistent inflation. The Pre-election…