This week, the Government will announce its first Budget. On Thursday, you’ll see what's in store for the coming year (and beyond!) as we present our fully-funded plan that'll set a course for New Zealand’s future.

Ahead of Thursday’s announcement, here’s a preview of what Budget 2018 will bring.

There’s been a lot of discussion about our decision to stop granting offshore oil exploration permits in New Zealand and what it will mean for the future of our regions.

We know that being able to get from A to B safely and efficiently is vital for a city, its economy and its residents. However, after a decade of under-investment by National, Aucklanders are battling congested roads and a transport system that’s facing unrelenting strain.

It’s been six months since our Government took office – an incredibly busy six months! We’re proud of what we’ve achieved since October, ticking off everything in our 100 day plan and more, from introducing the Families Package to raising the minimum wage.

It’s now been six months since the Government was sworn in and Jacinda Ardern became Te Pirimia o Aotearoa.

Thank you so much for the opportunity and privilege to join you today. It feels like a privilege to speak because we’re at the beginning of something that I am sure will be special to each and every one of you.

On Thursday 26 October, our Government took office. Since then we’ve got a whole lot of stuff done – in fact, we’ve ticked off everything that was in our 100 day plan. And this is just the beginning! We’ve got a whole lot more planned.

It’s now been two weeks (and a day) since the Labour-led Government was sworn in, and Jacinda Ardern became the new Prime Minister of New Zealand – and we’ve got straight to work!

Delivered by Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand, on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament, Wednesday 8 November 2017.

Tuhia ki te rangi

Tuhia ki te whenua

Tuhia ki te ngakau o nga tangata

I want to start by saying thank you

During the election campaign, my rallying cry was “Let’s do this’

We wanted to capture both that there was a huge amount we needed to change to place NZ on a better path. But we also wanted to capture the sentiment, that, together, change was possible.

With your help, and the support of voters, change is not just possible, it’s real.