Budget 2022

The Waitangi National Trust Board has been granted $3m to keep its grounds open to the public.

The $60m for visitor asset management will help to maintain DOC huts and other assets.

The Bus and Coach Association has welcomed the government’s “timely” plans to invest $61m to support a skilled, sustainable workforce of bus drivers.

The industry needs more practical help in the recovery, writes TECNZ’s Lynda Keene.

Business groups have welcomed the government’s $100m Business Growth Fund, which plans to invest directly in small and medium-size companies seeking finance.

Budget 2022 has allocated $661.5m for rail, including $312.3m to restore the national rail network and $349.2m to continue KiwiRail’s fleet modernisation.

Budget 2022 has allocated more than $185m to support the country’s cultural sector.

The cash for the initiative is being drawn from underspend at other tourism support initiatives.

Tourism New Zealand has been allocated $111.95m for 2022/2023 financial year, marking no change from the previous year’s budget.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said this year’s budget would include a focus on heath reforms and investment to meet climate change goals.