Health and education

Increased funding for frontline health services such as emergency departments, primary care, medicines and public health will help ensure New Zealanders can get health care when they need it. Budget 2024 invests $8.15 billion extra operating and capital funding in health services, including $665.1 million of reprioritisation, other savings and revenue.

	$3.44 billion for hospital and specialty services and $2.12 billion for primary care and public health.		$31.2 million to gradually extend free breast screening to 70- to 74-year-olds.
	$1.77 billion for Pharmac to ensure continued access to medicines New Zealanders rely on.		$24 million for Gumboot Friday to deliver mental health services to young Kiwis.

	$3.44 billion for hospital and specialty services and $2.12 billion for primary care and public health.
	$31.2 million to gradually extend free breast screening to 70- to 74-year-olds.
	$1.77 billion for Pharmac to ensure continued access to medicines New Zealanders rely on.
	$24 million for Gumboot Friday to deliver mental health services to young Kiwis.

Every child should have the opportunity to gain the skills and qualifications they need to fulfil their potential. The Government is investing $2.93 billion extra operating and capital funding in schools and early childhood education, including $440.8 million of reprioritisation.

	$1.48 billion to build new schools and classrooms and to maintain and upgrade existing ones.		$516.4 million to support schools and early childhood education providers, plus $153.3 million to establish charter schools.
	$477.6 million to continue the Healthy School Lunches programme for two years.		$67 million to support schools to use the structured literacy approach when teaching reading.

	$1.48 billion to build new schools and classrooms and to maintain and upgrade existing ones.
	$516.4 million to support schools and early childhood education providers, plus $153.3 million to establish charter schools.
	$477.6 million to continue the Healthy School Lunches programme for two years.
	$67 million to support schools to use the structured literacy approach when teaching reading.