Finance Minister Nicola Willis has pushed back against calls for her resignation from former Labour Finance Minister Sir Roger Douglas and economist Robert MacCulloch, telling The Platform she is sticking to a cautious fiscal path.
Willis said it was “surprising” to be singled out, arguing the government is doing what it was elected to do.
“Our fiscal plan has us getting the books back into surplus by the 2028/29 year,” she said, adding that international ratings agencies had described the plan as “very sensible.”
Pressed on rising debt, Willis acknowledged the national debt is still going up but insisted it would “start to bend” in 2028/29. “Yes, it will [go down],” she told host Sean Plunket, while blaming Grant Robertson for adding “about $100 billion” during Labour’s term.
The minister rejected suggestions that she is beholden to libertarian think tanks such as the New Zealand Initiative. “Matt Burgess isn’t even my adviser. He’s not even in my office … Bryce Wilkinson I can’t recall ever meeting since I became the minister,” she said.
On superannuation reform, Willis said compulsory savings are not on the table but pointed to gradual KiwiSaver increases already legislated. Raising the age of eligibility remains off-limits this term due to coalition agreements with NZ First.
Centrist Ltd.