What cost pressures within their relevant portfolio Votes, if any, was the Minister informed of prior to Budget 2026 - listing any advice received on this by date and title?

Answer

Cost pressures are existing costs which are increasing due to change in wages, inflation or volume. Ferry Holdings has a budget of $1.7 billion for all of the taxpayer share of costs for the programme (including contingency). The programme remains with budget. KiwiRail is a State-Owned Enterprise. Rail network infrastructure is funded in three-yearly programmes, and Budget 2026 fully funded the next programme in advance: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/rail-infrastructure-fully-funded