Budget 2024

What does it mean for your business?

Welcome to BDO’s Budget 2024 overview

Finance Minister Hon Nicola Willis has delivered Budget 2024.

Prior to the Budget announcement, Nicola Willis declared the Government’s intention to lay the foundation for a stronger, more productive economy; promising Kiwis a helping hand - with a tax relief package to increase the take-home income for most New Zealanders - while cutting Government spending to take the pressure off inflation.

With economic concerns and financial pressures being the leading challenges for New Zealand business leaders right now, as highlighted in the April 2024 BDO Business Wellbeing Index, has Budget 2024 delivered on these promises? 

With an operating allowance of $3.2bn per annum - the lowest operating allowance in real terms since Budget 2017 - this year’s Budget is not a big-spending instant fix , but does include a range of new measures. Click on each section to read our extensive Budget 2024 commentary on the key policies and announcements for business leade

Budget highlights

Budget 2024 has confirmed that personal tax thresholds will rise from 31 July 2024, reducing income tax for anyone earning over $14,000. This is part of a wider tax relief package aimed at easing the cost of living crisis and helping working people to keep more of the money they earn. The Government has also delivered on its promise to invest more in health, education and law and order, alongside infrastructure investment with a focus on regional resilience. 

A summary of key expenditure areas and policy announcements is outlined in the graphic below.


Alan Scott, Tax Partner, highlights the key policy announcements in the Budget in the video below.

Our Budget commentary team

Nick Innes-Jones

Nick Innes-Jones

National Construction & Real Estate Sector Leader, Advisory Partner
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Richie O'Meara

Richie O'Meara

Advisory Partner, BDO Southern Lakes & Central Otago, National Tourism Sector Leader
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Angela Edwards | BDO Northland

Angela Edwards

National Māori Business Sector Leader, Audit, Assurance & Advisory Partner, Kerikeri Managing Partner
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Charles Rau | BDO Gisborne

Charles Rau

National Agribusiness Sector Leader, Advisory & Tax Partner
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Matt Coulter | BDO Auckland

Matt Coulter

Audit & Assurance Partner, Technical Director - Assurance for BDO New Zealand, National Not-for-Profit Sector Leader
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Tristan Will | BDO Wellington

Tristan Will

National Franchise Sector Leader, Advisory Partner
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