WELLINGTON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The latest Crown accounts show the New Zealand government's financial position and underlying economic fundamentals are in good shape, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said on Thursday.

The Treasury released the Crown's financial results for the six months to December 2018, which showed revenue and expenses within 0.4 percent and 0.9 percent of the Treasury's forecasts, respectively, and a 1.1 billion-NZ dollar (743.5 million-U.S. dollar) OBEGAL (operating balance before gains and losses) surplus at Dec. 31.

"The surplus is used for capital investments and helps us keep government debt under control," Robertson said in a statement.

Net core Crown debt is near forecast at 22.1 percent of GDP, down from 23.2 percent a year ago. The forecasts show the government is on track to meet the Budget Responsibility Rule of reducing net debt to 20 percent of GDP within five years of taking office, Robertson said.

"The volatile global situation shows why it's important that we are managing the government's finances carefully by running surpluses and keeping expenses and debt under control," he said.

New Zealand is "in a good position" to handle risks such as Brexit, the minister said.

"Our domestic economic situation is reflected in the Crown accounts. Corporate tax receipts in the six months to December were 9.8 percent higher than a year ago, highlighting strong underlying business fundamentals," Robertson said.

The accounts also reflect New Zealand having one of the strongest labor markets in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Enditem

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