Major spending decisions reporting

Cabinet has established an enduring system for monitoring and reporting on major operating spending decisions of government. These requirements ensure that agencies are transparent about the funding they receive, the results they intend to deliver, and the value for money achieved for New Zealanders. Under this system, MBIE is required to publish information for selected Budget initiatives that have been designated as Major Spending Decisions since Budget 2024.

What MBIE is reporting

MBIE is currently required to publish reporting for 4 major spending decisions designated across Budget 2024 and Budget 2025. These initiatives have been identified by Cabinet and Treasury as requiring transparent, ongoing public reporting on results, deliverables, funding, and value for money.

Budget 2025 major spending decisions

• New Zealand Screen Production Rebate – International — attracting international screen productions, generating economic spillovers, and strengthening New Zealand’s screen workforce and global profile.
• Invest New Zealand Establishment — establishing a standalone investment attraction agency to lift foreign direct investment and support economic diversification.
• International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy – Funding Uplifts — investing in tourism and conservation initiatives that enhance visitor experience, protect natural assets, and strengthen system resilience.

Budget 2024 major spending decisions

• Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) — supporting regional productivity, resilience, and Māori economic development through enabling and resilience infrastructure investments.

MBIE will report on each initiative’s intended results, deliverables and timelines, funding allocations, performance indicators, and where future reporting will occur. This information will be updated twice yearly in line with Treasury’s collection points, reporting on information up to 31 December and 30 June.

Reporting requirements

For each identified major spending decision, Departments are required to report the name of the decision as per the Summary of Initiatives for that Budget, and:

• intended results, as communicated in Budget documentation
• deliverables and planned timeline
• amount allocated over the forecast period (in total and annually)
• indicators of performance and value for money, and
• where (this must include the Department’s Annual Report and departmental website) and how frequently the above information will be reported.

Purpose of reporting

This reporting provides visibility into how public money is being used, the progress being made, and how each initiative is contributing to outcomes for New Zealand’s economy, regions, communities, and industries. It also reflects Treasury and Cabinet’s expectations for clear, meaningful, and enduring performance information, ensuring that progress against each initiative’s objectives can be understood over time.

How we will continue to improve

Some initiatives are developing or refining their performance measures in line with Treasury’s guidance. Where measures are still being finalised, we will publish draft indicators or explanatory notes to ensure the public has a clear picture of our current progress and future reporting intentions. MBIE will continue to work with the Treasury to strengthen this reporting, including incorporating new indicators as they become available, and aligning with broader system changes such as updates to evaluation and fund reporting standards.