The budget was released in the midst of rising living costs and recovery efforts following the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in January and February 2023.

"[3] Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated that the budget would focus on easing cost of living pressures while making targeted investments to promote economic growth.

The budget was released amidst rising living costs and inflation, and the economic and social devastation caused by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle between January and February 2023.

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcomed the funding boost to the Te Matatini kapahaka festival but said that the Budget still favoured the wealthy and failed to reduce the cost of food by removing the Goods and Services Tax.

[10] Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand spokesperson Christine Rose criticised the 2023 budget for allegedly emphasizing corporate profit over addressing climate change and the cost of living.