Winston is in!
With Jacinda Ardern now on maternity leave, Winston Peters has finally grasped the wheel of power.
However, Mr Peters has had significant control over spending since the Government was formed late last year. Since then, Winston has negotiated for an array of projects, policies, and prizes for him and his NZ First Ministers.
This includes the Provincial Growth Fund, significant increases in spending for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministry of Defence, a vanity project (re)re-branding of the Ministry for Children, and a tax credit for hot horses, among other initiatives.
Winston's Dowry as at 21 June: $5.132 billion ($2960 per household)
The total cost so far is $5.132 billion - or $2960 for the average New Zealand household, although depending on how Winston behaves from the 9th floor, that figure could grow in coming weeks. We'll be watching closely for announcements from NZ First Ministers and the acting Prime Minister so we can update Winston's Dowry.
"The Dowry" to date:
- Provincial Growth Fund: $3 billion or $1735 per household
- Additional funding for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: $1.144 billion or $661 per household
- Additional funding for the Ministry of Defence: $426 million or $246 per household
- Additional funding for learning support: $272.8 million or $157 per household
- Additional funding for Oranga Tamariki: $269.9 million or $156 per household
- 'Hot horses' tax break, the new Forestry Hub, and a rename for the Ministry of Children: $20.2 million or $11.70 per household