Parliament looks at Government spending: the Annual Review Debate

Last financial year, the Government spent billions of dollars providing services to New Zealanders and looking after New Zealand’s interests. Parliament’s select committees recently looked at how the money was spent as part of its annual review process. 

What the Government spends money on 

Government departments (such as education, health, and justice) are given public money from the Government’s budget to fund their operations and provide services. Government funding also extends to other organisations such as Officers of Parliament, Crown entities, public organisations, and State-owned enterprises. 

Parliament’s review of Government spending 

Through the annual review process, Parliament holds these entities, and the Government, to account for how they spent their allocated money. The reviews also consider how well they delivered their services, and if they achieved what they said they were going to do. 

Select committees 

Government entities are reviewed by 12 parliamentary select committees. These reviews examine spending and performance, and normally involve chief executives and other senior officials appearing before the committees and answering their questions. 

Learn more about annual reviews 

Once the review process is complete, the committees send their reports to the House of Representatives for consideration by all members of Parliament. 

Read the select committee reports  

The Annual Review Debate 

The Annual Review Debate is the committee stage of the Appropriation (2024/25 Confirmation and Validation) Bill, where the committee of the whole House considers the reports of select committees on government organisations.  

The debate is arranged so that the Minister responsible for an area in which Government funding is allocated is present to answer any questions raised in the debate. 

The 2026 Annual Review Debate must be completed before Budget Day on 28 May.  

How you can follow the Annual Review Debate 

You can follow the debate on Parliament TV (Freeview 31 and Sky 86), live or on demand on Parliament Video, or by reading parliamentary debates in Hansard.   

Read more 

A consolidated set of the Committees' reports organised into themes is available as a PDF from the links below.