The Government has unveiled a grab bag of funding for new projects and initiatives at this year's Budget – ranging from a $1.77bn new SH1 expressway extension, a free new photo ID card for over-65s, and lowering the age of eligibility for bowel cancer screening.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has also been at pains to highlight a "record investment" of $5.8 billion in new operational spending for health over the forecast period, with targeted upgrades for hospitals across New Zealand in capital investments.
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The annual uplift of $1.37 billion will help meet cost pressures and growing demand.
Meanwhile, one of the Government's Roads of National Significance has been funded and will comprise one-third of the net capital expenditure.
Free bowel cancer screening age eligibility lowered
More than 200,000 additional Kiwis will gain access to bowel cancer screening as the age of eligibility for free bowel screening is lowered further, Brown announced.
"From September this year, the starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 58 to 56, extending access to hundreds of thousands more New Zealanders and continuing our commitment to align New Zealand’s screening age with Australia," he said.
Budget 2026 provides an additional $45.582 million to support the expansion, including $33.118 million over four years for programme delivery and $12.464 million for infrastructure and equipment to increase colonoscopy capacity.
"The rollout of lowering the screening age from 60 to 58 across most of the country is nearly complete. This next step builds on that progress and will help more New Zealanders benefit from earlier detection and treatment."
The Health Minister added: "Over the next 25 years, lowering the screening age to 56 is expected to prevent 638 bowel cancers and save 522 lives. Earlier diagnosis means faster treatment, better outcomes, and ultimately more lives saved."
On the campaign trail, National leader Christopher Luxon pledged to lower the screening age to 45 – to match Australia — during a televised debate.
Brown commented on that today: "We are committed to continuing to lower the bowel screening age to match Australia, but we need to ensure the health system has the capacity to deliver timely follow-up care and treatment.
"That's why we are taking a phased approach – expanding access step-by-step while building the workforce and infrastructure needed to support the programme safely and sustainably.
"Reducing the starting age to 56 is the next milestone in that commitment, and we will continue working toward lowering the age further as quickly as possible and as capacity grows."
Waikato Expressway extension funded
Budget 2026 invests $1.773 billion in funding for the 16km Cambridge to Piarere Road of National Significance, extending the Waikato Expressway.
Funding options range from fuel tax hikes to borrowing as election-year scrutiny hits transport priorities. This story was originally broadcast in February 2026. (Source: 1News)
According to the Government's Fiscal Strategy Report, funding for this expressway will amount to around a third of the total net capital expenditure package in this Budget.
Consents for the project were granted in September, and early works approved by the NZTA Board in December are now underway. "This project has been talked about for years. Now we’re getting on with it," said Transport Minister Chris Bishop.
The planned four-lane 16-kilometre expressway will connect the end of the current Waikato Expressway to the intersection of SH1 and SH29 at Piarere.
"The project includes a grade-separated interchange near Karāpiro Rd and will improve safety, strengthen resilience, and support one of New Zealand’s most important economic corridors," Bishop said.
"Cambridge to Piarere is the next major Road of National Significance to receive funding following the start of construction on the Ōtaki to north of Levin and Hawke’s Bay Expressway projects.
"Procurement on the Warkworth to Te Hana stage of the Northland Expressway is also underway, with a preferred bidder expected to be confirmed soon and detailed design and early construction works expected to start in late this year."
There were also an array of road resilient projects included in this year's Budget.
SuperGold card to become form of ID
New Zealand’s seniors will soon be able to use their SuperGold cards as an official form of identification, making it easier for them to access essential services.
Having the photo ID will be optional and the card will remain free to anyone over 65.
Work will now begin on design and implementation, with rollout of the new card from October 2028. There would be both digital and physical versions.
The Government will invest $36.4 million in operating funding and $6.5 million in capital funding over four years to deliver the new identification-enabled card and systems.
Until then, card holders who want a form of photographic ID can continue to arrange to have a photo added to their card by visiting their nearest AA office.
“Budget 2026 is funding the modernisation of the SuperGold Card to give users the free option to upgrade to a version which they can use as an accepted form of primary identification,” Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today.
"This will be free, because older New Zealanders should not have to pay just to prove who they are."
Hospital upgrades
There was also a series of health-related infrastructure upgrades in the Budget.
"Budget 2026 delivers more than $680 million of capital spending for the health system, including investment to strengthen hospital infrastructure, expand capacity, and ensure patients and staff have access to modern, resilient facilities," Health Minister Brown said.
The Budget 2026 health infrastructure package provides funding for a new 158-bed ward tower at Whangārei Hospital, and the design and some enabling works for redevelopment at Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, and Palmerston North regional hospitals
Money would also be used for the acquisition of land for a new hospital south of Auckland and infrastructure upgrades at Auckland’s Mason Clinic.
Budget 2026 also funds earlier commitments, including the new Dunedin Hospital inpatient building and establishment costs for the new medical school at Waikato University.
"In addition to this package, Health New Zealand will invest a further $930 million over the coming year in new clinical equipment, technology upgrades, and hospital facility improvements nationwide," said Health Minister Brown.
"This includes new mobile diagnostic units, radiology upgrades, and refurbishments to better support frontline clinical teams.
"A key part of this is planning and design work to expand the network of linear accelerator machines in Christchurch, South Auckland, and Nelson, helping to increase radiation treatment capacity, meet growing demand, and improve access to care for cancer patients.
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