I don't quite agree with those numbers, nor the conclusion. Here are the numbers from the Treasury's last official update
| Figure 2.13 - Net core Crown debt | | | | |
| Source: The Treasury | | | | |
| | | | |
| Year ending 30 June | Net core Crown debt
Increase yoy | Net core Crown debt | Net core Crown debt as a % of nominal GDP | |
| $billions | $billions | % of nominal GDP | |
| 2020 | | 26.2 | | |
| 2021 | 18.71 | 29.7 | | |
| 2022 | 26.79 | 35.2 | | |
| 2023 | 26.40 | 38.7 | | |
| 2024 | 20.19 | 41.7 | | |
| 2025 | 10.18 | 42.7 | forecast | |
| 2026 | 14.54 | 43.9 | forecast | |
| 2027 | 18.25 | 45.7 | forecast | |
| 2028 | 11.81 | 46.0 | forecast | |
| 2029 | 8.27 | 45.5 | forecast | |
| | | | |
[
https://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/efu/budget-economic-and-fiscal-update-2025
Figures are all for 12 months, year ended 30 June.
The important thing is to note the
debt increase year on year. The last government got net debt up to $155bn, averaging a $24bn increase (year on year) annually. They were a freight train out of control. National's years (2024 and 2025F) have an increase of $20b (2024) and only $10b (2025). When you consider $10bn is roughly the interest cost, it means National has cut spending down significantly, to be only $10b up (2024) and neutral (2025). A lot of the 2024 increase is due to one off costs to exit programs (e.g. redundancies, lease cancellations, etc). It takes a while for the cost cutting to take effect, after cancellation payments etc. Cancel the program this year, and next year we won't have the ongoing annual costs
Yes, debt is high right now. It's like finally wrestling control of your credit card off your teenage daughter, after she's gone on a spending spree. You have a period of time where the balance grows larger before you get it back under control.
I can't think of anyone that thinks, or feels, that the government spending more than their predecessors.
Having said all of that, I dont believe in saving your money out of a recession. So the govt needs to get out the chequebook soon to start stimulating and helping the rbnz out