Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the price increases are extremely tough and affecting all New Zealanders, but said some are feeling it more than others. Willis wouldn't say what the income thresholds would be, but said the package would take into account household income and number of children. Willis also defended the government's LNG plans, despite the attacks on Iran's South Pars gas field and Qatar's Ras Laffan. Not our conflictWillis said the fighting in the Middle East was "not our conflict", and reiterated calls for a humanitarian end.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 19, 2026 19:52 UTC