The 2026 Budget is being announced in the House by Nicola Willis, the Minister of Finance.
The Government is set to deliver this year’s Budget today from 2 pm.
The Budget sets out how the Government plans to spend public money and manage the economy for the financial year ahead, including funding decisions and policy changes.
Follow live coverage of the Budget and reactions on teaonews.co.nz and MĀORI+ from 3:30 pm today.
From cuts to social housing, the public sector and education, to the scrapping of the Fees Free university scheme, see our coverage below of the pre-Budget announcements affecting Te Ao Māori.
As the Government prepares to unveil what it has branded a “responsible” Budget focused on “getting the books in order”, Māori economists, advocates and politicians are warning Māori communities could once again bear the brunt of tighter spending and continued cuts.
Budget 2026 is expected to be one of the tightest in recent years, with the Government forecasting a $13.9 billion deficit this financial year while limiting new spending to around $2.1 billion, much of it already committed.
The coalition Government has framed the Budget as one focused on fiscal repair amid global economic uncertainty and ongoing instability in the Middle East.
But Māori advocates say for many whānau already struggling with rising living costs, housing pressures and cuts to Māori-focused initiatives, the Budget signals more hardship ahead.
Last year’s Budget saw tens of millions of dollars cut from Māori housing programmes, including Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga, with critics arguing Māori housing initiatives were effectively dismantled under the Government’s wider housing overhaul.
Leaders say Māori-medium schools deliver for whānau but lack resources to match rising demand
As the government’s 2026 Budget announcement fast approaches, kura kaupapa Māori are seeking greater recognition following successful outcomes in nationwide exam statistics.
Since 2023, kura kaupapa Māori and their students have seen high pass rates in nationwide exams, with kura kaupapa Māori students achieving at higher rates and more students attaining University Entrance.
Despite the success, kura kaupapa Māori are calling for greater recognition and adequate funding to ensure better access to resources and support for their communities.
However, the government has already made announcements with $131 million going towards Government’s “Teaching the Basics Brilliantly” programme, targeting reading, writing and maths support across primary and intermediate Years 0-10.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour also announced $212 million in funding to keep the Healthy School Lunches programme running for another year extending it through to 2027.
Cuts to Māori housing funds and higher rent contributions leave providers bracing for crisis
Anticipation is growing in light of major cuts to Māori Housing Development funding last year and recently, a pre-budget announcement from the Minister of Housing, Chris Bishop, on plans to raise income-related rent contribution for social housing tenants from 25 per cent to 30 per cent.
Te Ao Māori News took to the streets and found the issues of most concern were homelessness, social and transitional housing.
Associate Minister for Housing, Tama Potaka, says the government has committed over 450 million dollars to Māori housing providers to build Affordable Housing, but couldn’t give several details on how much has been spent on Māori development in the last year, saying there is a variety of different funding streams.
With Te Aka Whai Ora gone, Māori providers await clarity on funding and priorities
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says Budget 2026 will focus on core services such as health, education, and law and order, while maintaining tight spending.
The Government has already signalled health initiatives including expanded urgent and after-hours care, improved GP access, continued funding for Pharmac and cancer treatments, mental health support, longer prescriptions where appropriate, and a $35 million boost for ambulance services over four years.
Māori health advocates say it is still unclear how much of this funding will directly reach Māori-led providers.
Pharmac has proposed widening access to key diabetes medicines while removing Māori and Pacific ethnicity-based eligibility pathways.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say the changes ensure treatment is based on “clinical need, not race” and could expand access.
Treaty reforms raise stakes for Māori services
This year’s Budget comes ahead of an election that could either strengthen or weaken the coalition’s chances of re-election.
As it approaches, concerns remain over how the government’s recent moves to weaken Te Tiriti may affect funding for Māori services and initiatives.
In a recent Waitangi Tribunal finding, found the government’s proposed education law reforms are a “major breach” of Te Tiriti.
A claim that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon rejected, and defended along with other reforms as necessary to create “clarity” and “certainty” across the 19 other legislation amendments.
Fees-free university scheme scrapped
The Government has also confirmed it will scrap the fees-free tertiary education scheme, which helps cover tertiary study costs for students at universities across Aotearoa.
Officials say the policy has not met its goal of increasing university participation for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority data shows Māori students had the lowest University Entrance rates in 2025, with about one in three Year 13 students gaining entry to university.
Education groups say this shows ongoing issues with access to tertiary study, especially for students already facing financial or academic barriers.
