Reading between the lines ahead of 2019’s Wellbeing Budget: Bill Rosenberg

Last year, finance minister Grant Robertson proclaimed 2019’s Budget would be the “Wellbeing Budget”. New Zealand Doctor asked for a hint of what’s coming for health but, until 19 May, Mr Robertson is giving little away. “Broadly speaking, the Wellbeing Budget will give a clear picture of the true health of Aotearoa/New Zealand and its people,” he says in an email statement. “It will do so by using evidence-based measurements which build on the traditional economic data that have always been at the core of the Budget, but it will add information about the state of the environment, and the health and success of New Zealanders.” Mr Robertson may be reticent, but Council of Trade Unions economist and regular Budget commentator Bill Rosenberg is happy to try reading the tea leaves. Simon Maude put some questions to him