Big boost for health
Health gets $5.8 billion of new spending, including a $5.5b increase to frontline services over four years.
National
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole': Willis
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole': Willis
An end to the Middle East conflict, financial discipline and a return to solid economic growth are being relied on to deliver a quicker return to budget surpluses.
Budget 2026 at a glance
Budget 2026 at a glance
As promised, the Finance Minister has delivered a bread-and-butter Budget 2026, with few big surprises and no sign of a lolly scramble.
'Grand Designs' castle in Canterbury up for sale
'Grand Designs' castle in Canterbury up for sale
A luxury "post-modern castle" in Canterbury that appeared on 'Grand Designs New Zealand' in 2022 is on the market.
'A political choice': Homelessness reaches record levels
'A political choice': Homelessness reaches record levels
Significant investment in social and affordable housing is crucial to solving New Zealand's housing crisis and ending homelessness, a new report says.
Luxon, UK PM talk war, cost of living in call
Luxon, UK PM talk war, cost of living in call
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke with his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday night to discuss the Iran and Ukraine wars, as well as the cost of living.
NZ generates double the global average of rubbish
NZ generates double the global average of rubbish: report
A report from the World Bank shows Kiwis generate almost two kilos of rubbish per person, per day - more than twice the global average.
Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
Analysis: Trying to please everyone will prove a near-impossible task for Finance Minister Nicola Willis when she delivers her third Budget on Thursday.
Tourism firms hit by most weather-disrupted summer on record
Tourism firms hit by most weather-disrupted summer on record
Tourism operators are bracing for more frequent storms after some experienced their most weather-disrupted summer on record.
Live: No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
Live: No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
Updated 2.10 pm
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has used her election-year Budget to preach prudence and discipline, with the books now forecast to be back in black a year earlier than picked.
McCain rebuffs plea to halt factory closure
McCain rebuffs plea to halt factory closure
International food company McCain has turned down a request from Hawke's Bay mayors asking for a pause on the factory's closure while growers try to find a solution for a possible takeover.
Minister 'comfortable' getting $1000 a week home allowance
Minister 'comfortable' getting $1000 a week home allowance
Cabinet minister Louise Upston, who collects $1000 a week to live in her own Wellington apartment, says she's "followed the rules" and is "comfortable" with them.
Parliament votes to scrap Environment Ministry
Parliament votes to scrap Environment Ministry
The Ministry for the Environment has been scrapped, with legislation bringing the 40-year-old entity to an end passing in Parliament.
Andrew Mehrtens facing bankruptcy application
NZ rugby great Andrew Mehrtens facing bankruptcy application
A former Crusaders and All Blacks great is the subject of a bankruptcy application in Christchurch.
Climate note sent to PM's senior adviser
Climate note sent to PM's senior adviser
The staffer who received a document from Fonterra and Z Energy making suggestions for a potential law change was a senior adviser for PM Christopher Luxon.
AI use in reading breast cancer scans on way
AI use in reading breast cancer scans on way
The government says artificial intelligence will be used as a second set of eyes reading breast cancer scans from early next year.
New building planned for Christchurch tallest since quakes
New building planned for Christchurch tallest since quakes
Prolific Christchurch developer Williams Corporation has unveiled its plans for a new 10-storey tower in the central city.
Health wishes for Budget 2026
Health wishes for Budget 2026
The govt has already announced an expansion to Lakes District Hospital's ED in Queenstown will begin within months as part of a $180m boost to healthcare in the Otago Central Lakes area.
'The right Budget for the times,' Willis says
'The right Budget for the times,' Willis says
Thursday's Budget is "the right Budget for the times", and will respond to an increasingly uncertain world, the Finance Minister says.
One dead after crash on Canterbury property
One dead after crash on Canterbury property
A person has died after an early morning crash in Canterbury.