This budget was released in the midst of socio-economic impacts of the widespread community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, rising living costs, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[1][2] National Party and Leader of the Opposition Christopher Luxon described the Labour Government's budget as the "backward budget," claiming that it failed to address New Zealand's high cost of living.

[9] Green Party co-leader James Shaw praised the 2022 Budget for addressing issues of concern to the Greens such as climate change mitigation, family and sexual violence.

By contrast, fellow co-leader Marama Davidson criticised the Budget for not helping low-income families sufficiently.

The Treasury had advised the Government to consider targeted support to low-income households.