# Simeon Brown, Barbara Edmonds frontrunners for Finance Minister

> Business leaders name National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Barbara Edmonds as top Finance Minister choices.
- Title: Simeon Brown, Barbara Edmonds frontrunners for Finance…
- Summary: Business leaders name National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Barbara Edmonds as top Finance Minister choices.
- Keywords: simeon brown, barbara edmonds, finance minister, national party, labour party, employers & manufacturers, council of trade unions, nicola willis, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/business/2530618/simeon-brown-barbara-edmonds-frontrunners-for-finance-minister-business-leaders-say
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-10T20:23:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: simeon brown, barbara edmonds, finance minister, national party, labour party, employers & manufacturers, council of trade unions, nicola willis, politics, news
## Top Finance Minister Candidates
National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Barbara Edmonds are the leading choices for New Zealand's next Finance Minister.
## NZCTU President Sandra Grey
Sandra Grey says Edmonds would best handle the cost-of-living crisis and economic instability.

> Her approach is ensuring strong economic stability by focusing on making sure all workers can cope with the cost-of-living crisis that was deepened by Nicola Willis's failed economic plan
## EMA's Alan McDonald
Alan McDonald expects a National-led coalition with Simeon Brown as Finance Minister.

> It's going to be a National Party minister, so probably Simeon Brown, who is a safe pair of hands and a known quantity
## Key takeaway

National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Barbara Edmonds are the leading candidates for New Zealand's next Finance Minister, with business groups urging experienced National MPs for the role.