At 2pm today our Government will deliver our third Budget.   It’s all about securing New Zealand’s future – implementing our long-term economic plan to create jobs, lift wages and help you get ahead.   This Budget comes at a time of much global volatility and uncertainty, including a fuel crisis which is putting pressure on every economy in the world.    It would be easy for us to deliver a Budget today that promises “free” this and “free” that.   But we all know it’s not free. There’s no magic money tree.    To pay for “free” promises, we’d need to spend money that we don’t have and mortgage your future.   We saw Chris Hipkins’ Labour Government do exactly that last time and the result was higher inflation, higher interest rates and Kiwis paying more for everything.    Our Government has spent the last two years unwinding the damage inflicted on our economy.   By stopping wasteful spending, finding savings and making careful choices, we’ve been able to get inflation down, ease pressure on interest rates and keep taxes low, all while continuing to invest in the frontline services and infrastructure that Kiwis care about.   I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in the last two years and recent economic news shows there’s reason to feel confident about our future.    Exports are at record numbers, tourism is doing incredibly well, and more Kiwis are coming home or choosing to stay.  That’s why we’re sticking with our economic plan.   This Budget will be about responsible economic management to secure New Zealand’s future.   Because that is how we can deliver more jobs, higher incomes and greater choices for New Zealanders about what to do with your hard earned money.    That is how we can keep taxes low.   And that is how we can invest in the roads, schools, hospitals and police that you rely on. No reckless borrowing. Just discipline. Because we can’t tax, spend and borrow our way out of every problem without creating debt for future generations and lifting inflation for everyone.   By fixing the basics and building the future, there will be a more secure future for all New Zealanders.

This Budget lays the foundations for more secure jobs, lower inflation, and a stronger economy so Kiwis can get ahead.

National is making sure every child has the foundations they need to succeed at school, and to set them up for future success.