Pacific leaders warn the Government's 'cold Budget' risks putting numbers before people

Two former Pacific MPs warn the coalition Government’s focus on fiscal restraint could come at the expense of families already under pressure.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will this afternoon unveil her third Budget, with the coalition Government promising a tight package focused on fiscal discipline and core public services

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings ahead of the Budget announcement, former National MP Anae Arthur Anae had a bleak outlook.

“It’s a very cold morning and it’s going to be a cold Budget for the Pacific people,” Anae says.

He says the Government is being driven by economic concerns while failing to take people with it.

“Politics is a balance and a marriage between economics and the social needs of the people, and the social needs of the people come first.”

Anae says the Government could still win another term, but only if it changes direction and brings people with it. Photo/Facebook.

Former Labour MP and former Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio agrees it’s difficult to have “high hopes” for Pacific communities from this Budget.

He says the Government appears to be sending different messages to ordinary families compared with big polluters and powerful interests.

“If you read the Budget Policy Statement, it clearly says that this Budget is about getting the books back to order and that tells you everything. It’s numbers before people.”

Watch as Minister of Finance Nicola Willis collects a copy of the 2026 Budget from the printers.

Aupito says running a country is not the same as running a business, and says the coalition Government is prioritising the balance sheet over the needs of communities.

“The country is not a business. It’s a democratic institution,” he says.

Anae is also not expecting much from the Budget for Pacific communities and warned that the Government could face consequences if working-class families are ignored.

“If they leave people behind, they’re going to pay the penalty in the future,” he says.

Aupito rejects the Government's argument that global pressures justify their approach, saying ministers need to show a clear blueprint for responding to the needs of people on the ground.

“What I’m seeing is this Government will readily blame past governments, even though they’ve been in Government for the past three years, but have no plan or strategy whatsoever other than trying to get the books right,” he says.

Aupito says the coalition Government is prioritising the balance sheet over the needs of communities. Photo/Facebook.

Anae says while the Government has fiscal challenges to manage, any response needs to be built around people’s lives.

“Yes, they have got a problem. They’re trying to find a solution. But that solution has to be worked out based on the lives of the people in this country.”

The comments come as the Government has signalled a tight Budget, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis warning New Zealanders not to expect a “sugar hit”.

Anae and Aupito both agree the Budget could become a defining political test for the coalition.

Anae says the Government could still win another term, but only if it changes direction and brings people with it.

“They have to change their thinking pretty quickly. The people of this nation and any nation are the most important asset we have and we have to take them on the journey.”

Listen to the full interview with Anae Arthur Anae and Aupito William Sio below.

Aupito says history generally favours governments winning a second term, but under MMP, the result would depend on voters.

He says people would make their judgement if they see the Budget as being about “rescuing the balance sheet and not rescuing their families”.