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Story: Treasury

The word of Treasury

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The word of Treasury

In the 21st century, as in the 19th and 20th centuries, Treasury remained the guardian of the public finances. During the global financial crisis that broke out in September 2008, the public service was encouraged to become more efficient and to economise, as during many past economic and financial crises.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: DCDL-0011820

by Jim Hubbard

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Malcolm McKinnon, Treasury – Treasury and the state sector since 1980, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/34946/the-word-of-treasury (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, published 28 March 2012.