Features

Budget 2008: Economic Transformation

After the longest period of economic expansion since the end of World War II, we have a major opportunity to transform our economy and deliver unprecedented prosperity for New Zealanders.

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For eight years the government has been working with business and workers to strengthen our economy through investment in infrastructure, research and development, and skills and productivity.

Huge investments in roading and infrastructure;

More support for export market development;

More affordable tertiary education and strong funding of scientific research.

These long-term investments are central to boosting New Zealand’s ability to compete in the global economy into the future.

Budget 2008 will see major investment in developing a truly competitive, world-class broadband network in New Zealand. It also funds the largest ever public investment in science and research, including the New Zealand Fast Forward Fund, to boost innovation and sustainability in the primary sector.

Budget 2008 will also fund a major step forward in boosting the skills of our workforce through a programme which the business community, workers and government will progress together.

Highlights in this year’s Economic Transformation Budget Package include:

$325 million in Budget 2008 as part of more than $500 million to facilitate high speed broadband in urban areas and to extend the reach of broadband into under-served regions;