Very few frills or surprises are expected to be in today’s Budget.
Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges predicts a “sensible, prudent, boring, Presbyterian” Budget, with only a few goodies coming from reprioritised spending.
He told Ryan Bridge he was more interested in the "nuggets" that pointed to the Government's future policy direction.
He wanted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to “stake some strong positions, defend them and stick with them”, with details on how the Government planned to lift innovation, productivity and growth.
Bridges believed most people understood restraint was required, but said he wanted to see evidence the Government knew the difference between “frittering” on large social projects and “real investment” that would grow the economy.
LISTEN ABOVE

Karl Dean: Federated Farmers Dairy Chair on the opening milk price forecast
03:27

Andy England: Darfield High School Principal on the bolstering of trades, axing of Fees Free in Budget 2026
03:13

Ruth Richardson: Former Finance Minister and Taxpayers' Union Chair unpacks Budget 2026
04:07