Removing the $5 co-payment for prescriptions will certainly support many of those in need to access regular medications to aid their wellbeing.
However, the cost of seeing a GP and the delays we are experiencing across the healthcare sector are ongoing barriers to getting the prescription in the first place.
The budgeted increase of 500 nurses is of course welcome, but training and recruitment will take a long time, and the widely reported pay and conditions within the wider health system require significant redress.
Access to free public transport for children was good to see, and it will help many parents, particularly those who struggle to afford to maintain a vehicle to transport children to school and after-school activities.
After last year’s Budget release, I spoke of the wealth inequities around housing.
With more than 2400 families waiting for social housing placement, the $3.1 billion to create 3000 more public housing places by June 2025 was great to see, as well as the $200 million for increasing the supply of Maori housing.
Our most vulnerable New Zealanders will certainly receive some assistance from this Budget.
But, unfortunately, it will not be significant enough to bridge the increases in the cost of living.
• Jo O’Neill is the chief executive of Presbyterian Support Otago.
