Pausing, cancelling and delaying infrastructure projects has cost New Zealand an estimated $11.835 billion over the past 25 years, according to a new report by economist Shamubeel Eaqub.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spent $162 million less on foreign aid in 2024-25 than previously budgeted, according to figures in Budget 2026 estimates.
Amanda Malu, who became chief executive of Oranga Tamariki in February 2026, will direct an extra $184 million from Budget 2026 to handle reports of suspected harm and support high-needs children.
Budget 2026 allocates $48 million over four years to Te Māngai Pāho to sustain Māori broadcasting and prevent a $16 million annual funding drop.
Te Māngai Pāho baseline funding stood at $66 million in 2024 after rising from $59 million in 2017. Without the new allocation, the agency would have faced an annual baseline near $50 million.
Reprioritised Support for Cultural Exports
The Budget also provides $10 million of reprioritised funding over five years for Te Māori Tū. This supports the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust in delivering trade-focused events and digital outreach for Māori arts and services.
Portfolio Savings Offset New Spending
Māori Portfolio Funding Adjustments
Investments (positive) and savings (negative) across Māori portfolio lines within the 2026 Budget operating allowance.
Source: Budget 2026 / RNZ
Te Puni Kōkiri achieves $23.6 million in baseline savings over four years through cuts to personnel and contractors. Te Tari Whakatau records $3.2 million in savings over the same period via reduced Ministry of Justice procurements.
These measures form part of wider public-sector efficiencies that include the removal of 8,700 positions over three years.
Māori Portfolio Funding Adjustments (NZ$ million)
Targeted investment offset by departmental savings within the reduced operating allowance.
Source: RNZ and Budget 2026 reporting
Broader Fiscal Context
The operational allowance falls from $2.4 billion to $2.1 billion while capital spending rises to $5.7 billion. Treasury forecasts now show a return to surplus in 2028/29, one year ahead of the December 2025 Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.
Te Māngai Pāho Annual Baseline Funding
Without the 2026 Budget allocation, the agency's annual funding would have fallen below its 2017 level in real terms, with purchasing power already eroded 21 percent since that year.
Source: The Spinoff / Budget 2026
Ministerial Statements
Te reo Māori is one of the great taonga of this country.
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka made the statement while highlighting the investments.
Māori want the same thing as every other New Zealander.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis stated the position on shared priorities.
Sector Pressures Resolved
Te Māngai Pāho chair Kahi and chief executive Larry Parr warned Parliament's Māori affairs select committee in December 2025 that the cliff would prove catastrophic. Iwi radio stations had signalled legal action over potential cuts but withdrew the threat before the Budget.
The allocation was held in contingency specifically to address the expiry of prior time-limited funding.
Forward Path
The measures sustain content commissioning, talent pipelines and organisational capability at Te Māngai Pāho while maintaining overall fiscal restraint across Vote Māori Development.
