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New Zealand's Budget Misleads: Health Funding Only 3.6%

5/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

New Zealand's Budget 2025 reveals a mere 3.6% increase in health funding, totaling $31 billion, contradicting the government's claim of a 7.4% rise. Professor Tim Tenbensel condemned the misleading figures, highlighting that significant portions of the budget were consumed by Holidays Act payouts, while cuts to pay equity settlements aimed to save $420 million.

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Story summary

New Zealand's Budget 2025 reveals a mere 3.6% increase in health funding, totaling $31 billion, contradicting the government's claim of a 7.4% rise. Professor Tim Tenbensel condemned the misleading figures, highlighting that significant portions of the budget were consumed by Holidays Act payouts, while cuts to pay equity settlements aimed to save $420 million.