Govt’s books improve with return to surplus a year early, but Treasury warns ageing population threatens finances

Jenée TibshraenyWellington Business Editor·NZ Herald·29 Sep, 2026 12:00 AM4 mins to read‌The Government’s finances are looking marginally better than Treasury expected when it released its forecasts at the Budget in May. Video / Mark MitchellThe Government’s finances are looking marginally better than Treasury expected when it released its forecasts at the Budget in May. The books are expected to get out of the red by 2028/29, according to the traditional “operating balance before gains and losses” (Obegal) measure – a year earlier than