Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on his expectations for Budget 2026

Very few frills or surprises are expected to be in today’s Budget.   Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges predicts a “sensible, prudent, boring, Presbyterian” Budget, with only a few goodies coming from reprioritised spending.  He told Ryan Bridge he was more interested in the "nuggets" that pointed to the Government's future policy direction.  He wanted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to “stake some strong positions, defend them and stick with them”, with details on how the Government planned to lift innovation, productivity and growth.  Bridges believed most people understood restraint was required, but said he wanted to see evidence the Government knew the difference between “frittering” on large social projects and “real investment” that would grow the economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.