Tag: nicola_willis
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New Zealand Extends 550,000-Barrel Strategic Diesel Reserve to August 2027
New Zealand extends its Marsden Point strategic diesel reserve deal with Z Energy until August 2027, citing global uncertainty and fuel security, with storage funded by $21.6 million.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnergyGeneral PoliticsEconomyTradeMiddle East diesel reserveMarsden PointZ EnergyNicola WillisShane Jonesfuel securityNew Zealand Government
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National Pledges Five Commitments in First 100 Days to Bring Young Kiwis Home
A re-elected National Government would legislate five commitments in its first 100 days, including lower student loan repayments, wider first home buyer access and extended paid parental leave.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomyEmployment and LaborReal EstateEducation Nicola WillisNew Zealand National Partystudent loan repaymentfirst home buyerspaid parental leaveKiwiSaverNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
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National's Fiscal Plan Targets Surplus by 2028/29 With No New Taxes
National's fiscal plan promises a $4.0 billion surplus in 2028/29, falling debt, no new taxes if re-elected, and $15.4 billion for health over four years.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyElectionFederal GovernmentFinancial Markets Nicola WillisNational Partyfiscal planoperating surplusnet core Crown debthealth investmentNZ National Party
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Labour Accuses National of Hiding Public Service Job Cuts Until After Election
Labour's Camilla Belich says staff at the Ministry for Cities, Environment and Transport face restructuring, but the Government won't reveal how many jobs or services are at risk.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborElectionEconomyState Governments New Zealand Labour PartyCamilla BelichChristopher LuxonNational Partypublic service job cutsMinistry for Cities, Environment and TransportNicola Willis
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Labour Accuses National of Hiding Fiscal Cut Plans
Labour Campaign Chair Kieran McAnulty says National won't reveal where its planned cuts will land, warning New Zealanders will pay the price when the numbers don't add up.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyElectionGeneral PoliticsState Governments New Zealand Labour PartyKieran McAnultyNicola WillisNew Zealand National Partycost of livingfiscal policygovernment spending cuts
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National Says Labour's Fiscal Plan Omits Abuse Survivor Redress Funding
National's Nicola Willis says Labour's "fully funded" fiscal plan has no provision for an independent redress system for abuse survivors, two days after a $90 million error was exposed.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomySocial Issues Nicola WillisNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour Partyfiscal planabuse in care redressWillow-Jean PrimeNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
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Labour's Ginny Andersen Challenges Nicola Willis to Release National's Fiscal Plan Ahead of First Leaders Debate
Labour MP Ginny Andersen says National is hiding its plan from voters, asking what services Finance Minister Nicola Willis will cut as the first leaders debate begins.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomyEducationHealth New Zealand Labour PartyGinny AndersenNicola WillisNew Zealand National Partyleaders debatefiscal planPREFU
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Willis: Labour's Fiscal Plan Requires Four Zero Budgets
National's finance spokesperson says Labour's fiscal plan leaves no room for new spending after pay equity and health costs, meaning four frozen Budgets.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyElectionGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Nicola WillisNew Zealand National PartyLabour PartyFiscal PlanPay EquityNew Zealand ElectionTaxationNZ National Party
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Labour's McAnulty Challenges National: 'Show Us the Cuts'
Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty says National has made up numbers about Labour's finances while refusing to reveal its own fiscal plan 32 days out from the election.
Politics and GovernmentElectionEconomyGeneral PoliticsBanking New Zealand Labour PartyKieran McAnultyNew Zealand National PartyNicola WillisNew Zealand electioncost of livingfiscal plan
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Willis Calls Labour's Fiscal Plan a Fraud, Citing $8.5b Pay Equity Gap
National's finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says Labour's fiscal plan is the least credible in living memory, listing billions in omissions including pay equity, fuel excise and health costs.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessElectionEconomyGeneral PoliticsLabour PartyNational PartyFinancial Markets Nicola WillisNew Zealand National Partyfiscal planpay equityChris HipkinsNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
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Labour: 5,830 Company Liquidations Show Kiwis Paying Price for National's Choices
Labour's Barbara Edmonds says new figures show 5,830 company liquidations in two years and rising financial hardship, contradicting National's claim its economic plan is working.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyEmployment and LaborElectionGeneral Politics New Zealand Labour PartyBarbara EdmondsNicola Williscompany liquidationsfinancial hardshipNew Zealand economyNational Party
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Treasury Forecasts Smaller Deficits, 220,000 New Jobs as Economy Strengthens
New Zealand's pre-election fiscal update shows the deficit $3.4 billion smaller than forecast, with surpluses, falling debt and 220,000 more jobs predicted as Finance Minister Nicola Willis credits households and businesses.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyFederal GovernmentElectionFinancial MarketsEmployment and Labor Nicola WillisNew Zealand TreasuryPre-election Economic and Fiscal UpdateGovernment deficitNew Zealand economyGovernment debtJob creationNew Zealand Government
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National Releases Economic Plan, Promises No New Taxes
National's Economic Plan promises no new taxes, a return to surplus in 2028/29, replacing the RMA and NCEA, and 220,000 new jobs over four years.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessElectionEconomyGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEducationTrade New Zealand National PartyNicola WillisEconomic PlanNew Zealand economytaxesResource Management ActNCEANZ National Party
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Rebecca Williams Appointed to RBNZ Monetary Policy Committee
Finance Minister Nicola Willis appoints RBNZ Senior Manager Rebecca Williams to the Monetary Policy Committee for a one-year term starting 15 October 2026.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyBankingFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Rebecca WilliamsMonetary Policy CommitteeReserve Bank of New ZealandNicola WillisAppointmentFinanceNew Zealand Government
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Rebecca Williams Appointed to RBNZ Monetary Policy Committee
RBNZ Senior Manager Economics Rebecca Williams joins the Monetary Policy Committee for a one-year term from 15 October 2026, filling a seat vacant since March 2025.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentEconomyBankingFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Reserve Bank of New ZealandMonetary Policy CommitteeRebecca WilliamsNicola WillisAnna BremanKaren SilkNew Zealand monetary policy
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Reserve Bank Kept COVID Stimulus Too Long, Independent Review Finds
An independent review finds New Zealand's Reserve Bank kept monetary stimulus in place too long during COVID-19, fuelling inflation of 7.3 per cent and a costly boom-bust cycle.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessHealthEconomyBankingFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Reserve Bank of New ZealandNicola WillisCOVID-19 monetary policyinflationAthanasios OrphanidesDavid ArcherMonetary Policy CommitteeNew Zealand Government
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National Backs Evidence-Based Grocery Reform, Calls Labour's Proposal Wrong Answer
Nicola Willis says National supports structural change to boost supermarket competition, but warns Labour's wholesale-retail separation plan lacks detail and was already rejected as costly and high-risk.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsNational PartyLabour PartyEconomyTrade Nicola WillisNew Zealand National PartyFoodstuffsCommerce Commissiongrocery market competitionsupermarket divestmentNew Zealand Labour PartyNZ National PartyElection
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Labour Says National's Cuts Have Left New Zealanders Poorer
Labour's Barbara Edmonds says real GDP has fallen to $53,375 per person under National, blaming cuts, cancelled projects and 20,000 lost construction jobs ahead of the election.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyElectionEmployment and LaborGeneral Politics New Zealand Labour PartyBarbara EdmondsNational PartyNicola Willisreal GDP per personcost of livingconstruction jobs
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Supermarket competition takes centre stage as parties clash over break-ups and price gouging
Supermarket showdown: Greens, National, Labour, NZ First and ACT go to war over grocery prices
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesEconomyElectionSocial Issues supermarket competitionNew Zealand election 2026grocery pricesGreen PartyKiwiMartNational PartyNicola WillisFoodstuffsstructural separationLabour PartyChris Hipkinsprice gougingArena WilliamsACT PartyDavid SeymourNew Zealand FirstWinston PetersCommerce CommissionStats NZcost of livingRestonVirginiaFairfax County
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National to Pursue Structural Separation of Foodstuffs
National would split Foodstuffs into two competing chains, with New World and Four Square as one and PAK'nSAVE as another, subject to a Commerce Commission assessment.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyTradeSocial Issues FoodstuffsNicola WillisNew Zealand National PartyCommerce CommissionGrocery Industry Competition ActPAK'nSAVEWoolworthsNZ National PartyElection
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Treasury Warns Health NZ Cannot Cover Existing Costs as Budget 2026 Bilateral Looms
Treasury report ahead of the Budget 2026 health bilateral shows Vote Health seeking $555.7m a year in new operating spending and $971.1m in capital, against a Health NZ structural funding gap.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessEconomyFederal GovernmentLegalFinancial Markets Budget 2026TreasuryHealth New ZealandNicola WillisSimeon BrownVote HealthNew Zealand Labour PartyElection
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National Party Proposes Student Loan Reforms for NZ Graduates
A re-elected National Government plans to cut student loan repayment rates for graduates staying in New Zealand, while introducing stricter measures for overseas defaulters, aiming to retain talent and ensure fairness in loan repayment.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEducationGeneral PoliticsNational PartyEconomyEmployment and Labor Student LoansGraduatesNicola WillisEconomic PolicyKiwiSaverNZ National PartyElection
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Political Pledges to Freeze Fuel Taxes Threaten New Zealand's Transport Future
Major parties' promises to halt fuel tax and road user charge increases contradict the National Infrastructure Plan, potentially creating a $13-15 billion funding shortfall for essential transport services over the next decade.
Fuel taxRoad user chargesNational Infrastructure PlanTransport fundingNicola WillisChris HipkinsInfrastructureAucklandTransport
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National Party Proposes Extended and Flexible Paid Parental Leave
A re-elected National Government plans to extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 and introduce flexibility for parents to take leave concurrently, aiming to better support working families and new parents.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsNational PartyEmployment and LaborEconomySocial IssuesLegal Paid Parental LeaveFamily SupportParental BenefitsNicola WillisNicola Grigg
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Global Oil Prices Drive NZ Inflation to 4.1%, Government Emphasizes Fiscal Discipline
New Zealand's annual inflation hit 4.1% due largely to global oil price shocks, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said. The government maintains fiscal discipline and targeted support, expecting economic growth and wage increases despite Middle East conflict.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyNational PartyGeneral PoliticsFinancial MarketsEmployment and LaborMiddle East Nicola WillisInflationFiscal DisciplineOil PricesGovernment SpendingNZ National PartyElection
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New Zealand Government Accounts Signal Strengthening Economy
New Zealand's government finances show significant improvement, with revenue up $1.7 billion and expenses down $900 million. Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights a $3 billion lower deficit and strong corporate tax growth, signaling a strengthening economy.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessConflictGeneral PoliticsEconomyFinancial MarketsMiddle East GovernmentFinanceNicola WillisCorporate TaxBudgetNew Zealand Government
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KiwiSaver Contribution Hike Benefits 99.5% of Members, Boosts Retirement Security
New Zealand's KiwiSaver scheme sees 99.5% of contributors embrace increased rates, boosting retirement savings. Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights enhanced financial security and potential for first home purchases for hundreds of thousands of Kiwis.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyEmployment and LaborFinancial MarketsGeneral PoliticsSocial Issues KiwiSaverRetirement SavingsNicola WillisContribution RatesFinancial SecurityFirst Home BuyersNew Zealand Government
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New Zealand Economy Shows Strong Growth in Early 2026
New Zealand's economy grew 0.8% in Q1 2026, outperforming Australia and the US. Despite Middle East uncertainty, easing fuel prices and strong business investment signal underlying strength, with future growth expected.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessConflictGeneral PoliticsEconomyMiddle EastEmployment and LaborEducation GDPEconomic GrowthNicola WillisFinance MinisterBusiness InvestmentMiddle East ConflictNew Zealand Government
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Green Party Alleges Nearly $500 Million KiwiSaver Hole in Budget 2026
The Green Party claims Budget 2026 has a nearly $500 million unfunded hole for public service KiwiSaver contributions. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick alleges this will lead to cuts in essential services, challenging Minister Nicola Willis to reveal the funding details.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessFederal GovernmentEconomyEmployment and LaborSocial Issues Green PartyBudget 2026KiwiSaverPublic ServiceChlöe SwarbrickNicola WillisGovernment FinanceElection
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New Zealand's First Diesel Reserve Shipment En Route
New Zealand's first diesel reserve shipment is heading to Marsden Point, enhancing national fuel security. The 93-million-liter reserve, managed by Z Energy and government-controlled, aims to provide nine days of supply, bolstering resilience for critical sectors.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEnergyEconomyGeneral PoliticsTransportationAgriculture diesel reservefuel securityMarsden PointNicola WillisShane JonesZ EnergyNew Zealand Government