Finance Minister Nicola Willis receiving a standing ovation from her colleagues after presenting Budget 2026 in the House. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Labour’s transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Q&A with Jack Tame that his understanding was that the money was going towards a Warkworth to Wellsford highway.
Asked how he knew that, Utikere said: “That’s my understanding, that’s come through to us”.
“If that is the case, then the Government what this money is actually for … why are they not sharing that, particularly when the Budget has just been released over two weeks ago?
“This is taxpayer’s money we’re talking about.”
Willis told Q&A with Jack Tame that Utikere was “flat out wrong”.
“The undisclosed pre-commitment in the Budget reflects a provision for a potential capital to operating forecast change that is subject to future decisions that may or may not eventuate.”
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter with a focus on data journalism. She joined the Herald in 2020.