Foreword: Minister of Finance
Now that New Zealand's economy has returned to growth, we will continue to rebuild from the shocks that have buffeted us in recent years. The Government will press on with an economic programme that reduces our vulnerability to international events, gets the Government's finances in order and builds a faster growing economy tilted towards exports and savings and investment and tilted away from over-reliance on overseas debt-funded consumption.
The Government's programme to rebuild and strengthen the economy is built upon our four main priorities for this term, which are:
- responsibly managing the Government’s finances
- building a more productive and competitive economy
- delivering better public services within tight financial constraints, and
- rebuilding Christchurch.
The Government is on track to return the Crown's accounts to surplus in 2014/15, and maintain that surplus in following years so that we can start reducing public debt and help unwind the long-term imbalances that have held back our economy and society.
Our ongoing challenge is achieving sustainable economic growth so New Zealanders can enjoy opportunities, jobs and higher incomes in this country. The Government expects the Treasury to help it create and cement in place policies that support ongoing recovery and rebalancing.
The State sector has embarked on a significant change programme that is necessary to achieve the Government's priorities and results. The change programme addresses the challenges that agencies face in maintaining and improving services at a time of fiscal consolidation and ongoing restraint. I expect the Treasury to be at the forefront of supporting and delivering on State sector changes.
This Statement of Intent sets out what the Treasury will do to help the Government achieve its economic priorities and long-term goal of growing the country's economic performance, along with its ambitions for building a better public service. I am satisfied that the information on future operating intentions provided by the Treasury in this Statement of Intent and the Information Supporting the Estimates is in accordance with sections 38, 40 and 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 and is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.
Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance
