17088 (2026). Chlöe Swarbrick to the Minister of Finance

Written Question

Published date: 14 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	17088 (2026)
Question asked:	22 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Chlöe Swarbrick
Portfolio:	Minister of Finance
Minister replying:	Hon Nicola Willis
Answer received:	10 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_17088_2026
Document guid:	7bfd4952-59a4-4755-ae45-b0ee21a27313

17088 (2026). Chlöe Swarbrick to the Minister of Finance: Did any Treasury officials raise any risks to the Minister or her office following recent credit rating agencies' downgrades of New Zealand's outlook, and if so, what were these risks?

Hon Nicola Willis: Officials highlighted to me the risk that a deterioration in the fiscal outlook could be viewed unfavourably by the credit rating agencies and may be perceived as showing a weaker commitment to fiscal discipline. Ahead of Moody’s ratings review, officials also highlighted to me that Moody’s may place New Zealand on negative outlook.