bill11 March 2026 Non-partisan · AI-drafted, editor-reviewed

Public Finance Amendment Bill

Member in charge: Nicola Willis
In short: Arapono’s summary

This bill updates the rules about how the New Zealand Government manages and reports on public money. It requires the Government to publish a new annual statement listing tax exemptions and special tax rules, and what they cost. It extends the time period for some financial forecasts. It removes the requirement for the Government to report on 'wellbeing objectives' in its budget documents. It also tidies up reporting rules for government departments and agencies, including spy agencies.

What this affects

Tap a topic to see how this bill touches it, and the parts of the text that show it.

The Government will have to publish a list every year showing all special tax breaks and exemptions, including how much each one costs the public purse.

From the bill

The Minister must present to the House of Representatives a tax expenditure statement prepared by the Treasury for each financial year.

the tax expenditure statement must include, for each tax expenditure,— (a) a description of the tax expenditure; and (b) the legislative provision that authorises the tax expenditure; and (c) the estimated value of the tax expenditure, where it is reasonably feasible to estimate

In section 26P(1), replace '3' with '5'.

In section 26Q(1), replace '3' with '5'.

Progress through Parliament

Introduced
First Reading
Select committee
Second Reading
Whole House
Third Reading
Royal Assent
Current stage: Royal Assent

Have your say

This bill is open for public submissions to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 6 July 2025.

View the official bill on legislation.govt.nz

Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.