Hubspot Landing Page Hero Image - Budget webinar 26

NZ Budget 2026 Review with Westpac Chief Economist 

Friday 29 May, 2026
10am – 11am

The Government's Budget lands on 28 May. The morning after, we'll tell you what it actually means for you. Featuring Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold and an expert panel of NZ business and tax leaders.

Overview

This is an election budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be balancing fiscal discipline against the politics of November and every decision will carry two meanings: what it does for the economy, and what it signals ahead of the vote.

The backdrop makes it harder. Surging oil prices, renewed inflation risk, global trade pressure. And many in New Zealand are still waiting for the recovery they've been promised.

What we'll cover

Kelly Eckhold will give his unfiltered read on what the Budget means for New Zealand's economy and business environment. Then Kelly joins our panel to go deeper:

  • Is this Budget bold enough for the moment, or is it playing it safe?

  • How should businesses be thinking about investment right now?

  • What are the tax and compliance implications we need to be across?

  • Are we making the structural shifts that will drive genuine long-term growth?

  • What's the biggest clue for where New Zealand is actually headed?

Who this is for

This webinar is for all businesses, tax advisors and accountants looking for actionable insights on the 2026 Budget’s impact. Your colleagues and connections are welcome to join this free event.

Our speakers

TMNZ Speaker Card (6)
Kelly Eckhold, Chief Economist, Westpac New Zealand

Kelly is Westpac's Chief Economist, a role he has held since joining the bank in March 2023. He began his career at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, where he held senior roles across the Financial Markets, Economics and Financial Stability departments. He then spent 12 years at the International Monetary Fund, working on monetary policy, foreign exchange and financial stability across a range of economies. Kelly is known for translating complex macro conditions into clear, grounded analysis.

TMNZ Speaker Card (5)
Wilhelmina O'Keeffe, host

Wilhelmina is a seasoned business journalist and broadcaster with extensive experience covering New Zealand's economic and financial landscape. Known for keeping expert conversations sharp and accessible, she brings the right balance of rigour and warmth to the room.

TMNZ Speaker Card (9)
Olivia Blaylock, Chief Executive, The Icehouse

Oliva runs The Icehouse as CEO. Previously, she spent 12 years co-owning and running David Forman, one of New Zealand's serious business training companies. She's won a Marketer of the Year award, navigated the GFC, COVID, and her husband's cancer diagnosis. Olivia will share her perspective on what Budget decisions mean for SME businesses. 

TMNZ Speaker Card (8)
Alyssa Laakmann, Executive Director, Growth NZ

Alyssa co-founded and leads Growth NZ, advocating for the structural and policy changes New Zealand needs to compete and grow on a global stage. Her focus is on investment, innovation and talent – and removing the barriers that hold businesses back from scale. 

TMNZ Speaker Card (7)
Matt Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, TMNZ

Matt leads TMNZ with a focus on how financial innovation can genuinely change outcomes for New Zealand businesses. With over 16 years building FinTech businesses across the UK, Europe and now New Zealand, he brings a sharp eye for what economic conditions and the policy settings that shape them, mean for businesses trying to grow.

TMNZ Speaker Card (4)
Matt Rama, Chief Commercial Officer, TMNZ  

With two decades in NZ finance and a background leading a tax pooling business, Matt has a deep understanding of tax policy, tax law and Inland Revenue compliance and how shifts in those settings play out for businesses and their advisors. As CCO at TMNZ, he works closely with accountants and tax advisors every day, giving him a sharp read on what the Budget's tax implications mean in practice.

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