SECTIONS

The Budget

DunedinMay 14

No lolly scramble likely today

Finance Minister Bill English is playing down the chance of any election-year bribes in his sixth Budget, being released this afternoon.
No lolly scramble likely today
No lolly scramble likely today
NationalFebruary 15

Govt unlikely to alter taxing despite council pleas

Finance Minister Bill English is unlikely to be swayed by a last-minute plea from the Council of Trade Unions yesterday to change the Government's fiscal objectives.
NationalMay 17

PM, Goff clash over Budget changes

John Key and Phil Goff clashed in Parliament yesterday over whether the changes in tomorrow's Budget to KiwiSaver, Working for Families and student loans amounted to broken promises by National.
DunedinDecember 13

Satisfactory surplus predicted

The University of Otago is anticipating a "satisfactory" operating surplus next year, even though it is in the midst of what it describes as challenging financial times.
NationalMay 23

Bleak news for public servants

Public servants have been warned not to expect any extra Government expenditure in next year's Budget.
Bleak news for public servants
Bleak news for public servants
NationalMay 23

Minister defends ETS

Households can more than offset the cost of the Government's emissions trading scheme (ETS) and still get benefits from tax cuts, but Minister for Climate Change Nick Smith admits the Government now needs to get that message out.
Minister defends ETS
Minister defends ETS
OpinionMay 23

Creating primary sector's edge

Much was made in the Government's pre-Budget announcements of a bolstering of science and research and development spending. Shaun Coffey looks at how agricultural science can help give New Zealand competitive advantage in world markets.
Creating primary sector's edge
Creating primary sector's edge
NationalMay 21

English the messenger but Budget has stamp of Key

Bill English may be the only one with his name on the front cover of Thursday's Budget.
NationalApril 5

Tight Budget could mean health cuts

The Government's increase in health spending in next month's Budget is predicted to be as little as half the rise of a year ago, leading to further cuts in services.
Tight Budget could mean health cuts
Tight Budget could mean health cuts
EditorialMarch 9

Within our means

Is the plan to be meaningful or is it just a political gesture? Not since the days of Sir Robert Muldoon's state department cost-cutting threats in the late 1970s has the public service faced the challenge proposed by the Key Government.
NationalApril 27

Budget to show long-term debt coming down - Key

May's budget will deliver a long-term debt track showing a downward trend, Prime Minister John Key said today.
NationalApril 22

English warns of tough budget

Finance Minister Bill English today prepared the ground for a tough budget next month in a speech painting a bleak picture of the country's economy which could see promised tax cuts dropped.
NationalMay 27

No budget glee for taxpayers

Continued Government spending and relief for families and some drought-affected regional economies will be included in next week's budget - but long-awaited tax cuts will not be huge.
No budget glee for taxpayers
No budget glee for taxpayers
NationalMay 24

Families focus of tax cuts

Finance Minister Michael Cullen yesterday delivered a package of tax cuts he says helps the battlers in society deal with the ill-winds blowing offshore.
Families focus of tax cuts
Families focus of tax cuts
NewsMay 24

Students take dim view of budget

Tertiary students have generally taken a dim view of today's budget, saying it fails to address growing problems including student debt.
NationalMay 23

Week in politics: Tax cuts tricky balancing act

Has Michael Cullen successfully spiked National's plans to offer bigger tax cuts than those he unveiled in Thursday's budget?
NationalMay 23

Australian workers still better off after latest budgets

Thursday's budget has narrowed the income gap between New Zealand and Australia, but most if not all demographic groups would still be at least marginally better off across the Tasman.
NationalMay 22

Pre-election tax relief on cards

Tax relief for New Zealanders looks likely sooner rather than later, with Parliament due to go into urgency today and tomorrow to pass what is expected to be Finance Minister Michael Cullen's budget tax package.
NationalMay 21

Cullen's unfamiliar challenge

Finance minister Michael Cullen finds himself in the unusual position of announcing a budget tomorrow in times of a deteriorating economy.
Cullen's unfamiliar challenge
Cullen's unfamiliar challenge
NationalMay 21

$171.6m boost for schools in Budget

Tomorrow's budget will include a 5 percent boost to schools' operational funding over four years to help them meet day-to-day running costs and provide computer technology.
BusinessMay 20

Job losses, taxes on people's minds

Job losses and tax cuts dominate the headlines in the lead-up to tomorrow's budget, the ninth to be delivered by Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
Job losses, taxes on people's minds
Job losses, taxes on people's minds
NationalMay 20

Tax cuts debate heats before budget

This election year size does matter as party leaders jostle for position on tax cuts.
Tax cuts debate heats before budget
Tax cuts debate heats before budget
NationalMay 20

Racing handout slammed by problem gambling foundation

A $9 million budget package committed by the Government to New Zealand's racing industry has been slammed by the Problem Gambling Foundation.
NationalMay 9

Huge tax cuts ruled out by minister

The upcoming budget would deliver tax cuts for all, but those hoping for a ‘‘big bang'' would be disappointed
Huge tax cuts ruled out by minister
Huge tax cuts ruled out by minister