
Budget 2025: National and Labour lose ground in latest 1News Verian political poll
National and Labour have both taken a hit in the latest political poll.
The 1News- Verian poll released tonight went out days after the Budget 2025, which included a $6.6 billion Investment Boost policy, halving the Government's KiwiSaver contributions and raiding almost $13b set aside for pay equity settlements.
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1News
21 minutes ago
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Inland Revenue outlines focus after Budget funding boost
Inland Revenue (IR) will intensify its tax compliance and collection efforts following a significant funding boost in Budget 2025, with expectations of strong returns on investment. The Government had allocated new additional permanent funding of $35 million a year for Inland Revenue and also continued funding of $26.5 million a year from Budget 2022 that was due to run out in June. 'Along with the $29 million per year that was allocated in Budget 24, this is a significant funding boost and is recognition of what we do and the excellent results we've had so far this year,' Inland Revenue commissioner Peter Mersi said. Mersi said the increased funding meant the majority of taxpayers who met their obligations could continue to be confident IR would find those who were not. He said IR was expected to return $4 for every dollar invested in the first year and $8 for every dollar from the second year. ADVERTISEMENT Cold coming, PM's press secretary scandal, science of sleep (Source: 1News) "This is in addition to increasing the return from last year's compliance funding boost by $8 from July 1. 'While we do that, IR also must maintain its base level of tax collection and debt reduction." The increased funding would be invested into new activities, Mersi said. These would include further increasing audits and debt collection in high risk/value areas, investigations into specific sectors such as property, organised crime, the hidden economy and trusts, as well as the improved use of data and intelligence to speed up the identification and targeting of discrepancies and pursuing debt. The process of collecting data from third parties such as banks would shift to an automated process from a manual approach, while more targeted compliance activity measures would be investigated. Additional staff would be hired for this work and systems and technology would be used in more effective ways, Mersi said. ADVERTISEMENT Increase investment will 'accelerate returns' - Watts Revenue Minister Simon Watts. (Source: Q+A/Irra Lee) On the increased funding in the Budget, Revenue Minister Simon Watts said hard-working Kiwis who paid their taxes were "being ripped off by tax cheats who deliberately evade their obligations". "New Zealand's tax debt rose to $8.5 billion by the end of 2024. At a time when the Government is carefully managing every dollar to fund the essential frontline services Kiwis rely on, it's essential we crack down on those who are not paying their share of tax." Watts said the increased investment would accelerate returns already being seen from the compliance funding in last year's Budget. "In the year to March 2025, Inland Revenue collected almost $3 billion of overdue debt and is on track to collect more than $4 billion by June 30."


Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
Timid Tariff Response Fails New Zealanders
The Government is failing New Zealanders by ' being comfortable ' with a 10 percent tariff on all goods going into the US. 'The Prime Minister's timid view undermines the work of New Zealand governments over decades to support a trading system that offers security for exporters, importers and consumers,' Labour trade spokesperson Damien O'Connor said. 'The Government should not give up on getting a better deal for our hard-working exporters, or the rules-based system that New Zealand relies on. 'It's not just disappointing that the Government hasn't been able to negotiate lower tariffs given the very low level of tariffs we impose on goods and services from the US, it could mean greater costs for all of New Zealanders. 'Not only will there be a $900 million hit on our exports, we also have to consider how the ripple effect of tariffs on our trading partners such as China will affect prices on goods coming to New Zealand,' Damien O'Connor said.


Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
More Classrooms For Children With High Needs
Press Release – New Zealand Government Minister of Education The Government is ensuring more students with the highest learning support needs have access to warm, safe, dry and fit-for-purpose learning environments. 'We know many parents of children with high needs want the option of a specialist education setting. Right now, those choices are limited because our specialist schools are stretched beyond capacity. This investment is about giving families more choice and confidence their children can learn in the environment that best supports them,' Education Minister Erica Stanford says. $30 million through Budget 2025 will expand specialist school property across New Zealand. Investment will fund the construction of 18 new satellite classrooms at host schools nationwide and 5 additional classrooms at two base specialist schools, relieving pressure on the network. This funding will deliver: Two classrooms for Blomfield Special School at Selwyn Park School in Dargaville, Two classrooms for Hamilton North School at Ngaruawahia School in Waikato, Two classrooms for Kimi Ora School at Taita College in Lower Hutt, Two classrooms for Tauranga Special School at Te Puke Primary School in the Bay of Plenty, Two classrooms for Rosehill School at Papakura Normal School in Auckland, Two classrooms for Fairhaven School at Onekawa School in Napier, Four classrooms for Central Auckland Specialist School at an Auckland school, Two classrooms for Oaklynn Special School at Kelston Intermediate in Auckland, Two classrooms at Ferndale School in Christchurch, Three classrooms at Sara Cohen School in Dunedin. 'Specialist schools play a vital role in our education system. This investment recognises the incredible work these schools do and builds on the largest boost to learning support in a generation. 'The classrooms are set to enter construction over the next 12 months. The majority will be delivered using offsite manufacturing or repeatable designs which enable the funding to go further, so more schools get the extra classrooms they need. The sooner we build, the sooner schools can provide tailored support, so more children have the chance to thrive,' Ms Stanford said.