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budget 2012

DunedinJune 1

Budget move spurs further study doubt

The changes to student allowances in last week's Budget have left fifth-year University of Otago student C.J. O'Connor questioning whether she will go on to study towards a doctorate next year.
Budget move spurs further study doubt
Budget move spurs further study doubt
NationalMay 28

'Zero aspiration' budget: opposition

The Budget may have delivered few surprises, but opposition parties have criticised it as a failure that has done little to address the tough economic problems facing New Zealand.
'Zero aspiration' budget: opposition
'Zero aspiration' budget: opposition
DunedinMay 28

Govt technology move 'huge blow' to schools

The Government launched a "sneak attack" on technology teachers in the Budget, inflicting a "huge blow" on the nation's intermediate sector, Tahuna Normal Intermediate principal Tony Hunter says.
Govt technology move 'huge blow' to schools
Govt technology move 'huge blow' to schools
NationalMay 27

Video: The 'sensible' budget

Brian Fallow, the New Zealand Herald's Economics Editor, gives his expert analysis on Budget 2012.
QueenstownMay 25

Housing fund 'not a fresh initiative'

The announcement of $104.1 million over three years for affordable housing "does not excite him at all", Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust chairman David Cole says.
DunedinMay 25

Asset-threshold change called attack on elderly

Opposition parties have described a residential care asset-threshold change in this week's Budget as an attack on the elderly.
OpinionMay 25

Week in politics: Nats will have to make big super calls sooner or later

The ultra-orthodox Budget was sold on Thursday by Bill English as the last word in fiscal rectitude, but it lacked for one rather necessary ingredient.
DunedinMay 25

Spend-up announced before cash comes in

Finance Minister Bill English is in a rush to spend the proceeds of the partial sale of state-owned assets - even before even a single share has been sold.
DunedinMay 25

Little for those 'in most need'

There is little in the Budget that helps people who need it the most, Otago Presbyterian Support chief executive Gillian Bremner says.
DunedinMay 25

Tax on tobacco divides

A 40% excise tax increase on tobacco over the next four years will turn some smokers to crime, Dunedin people say.
Tax on tobacco divides
Tax on tobacco divides
DunedinMay 25

Funds for welfare reform

The first phase of the Government's welfare reforms has received $287.5 million, over the next four years.
DunedinMay 25

Practitioners cool on tax-reform tinkering

The Government's tax-reform tinkering contained in Budget 2012 has failed to impress tax practitioners, who claim the base broadening amounted to nothing more than the modernisation of outdated tax credit rules.
DunedinMay 25

Frustration as few initiatives seen for post-quake rebuilding

Businesses in the South hoping for clear direction from the Government in Budget 2012 on the rebuilding of Christchurch after the earthquakes would have been disappointed.
DunedinMay 25

Accounts great in comparison: BNZ

Finance Minister Bill English yesterday delivered exactly what he had promised - a return to fiscal surplus by June 2015.
DunedinMay 25

KiwiSaver auto-enrolment shelved

A delay in introducing auto-enrolment in KiwiSaver will save the Government about $514 million as Finance Minister Bill English continues to promise a return of the government books to surplus in 2014-15.
DunedinMay 25

Cuts to allow greater emphasis: Joyce

Cuts to student support in yesterday's Budget will allow the Government to put more emphasis on engineering, science and research, Minister for Tertiary Education Steven Joyce says.
DunedinMay 25

'Good to be recognised as a path to the future'

The University of Otago and Dunedin will benefit significantly from a $326 million boost for science, innovation and research announced in the Budget, university sciences pro-chancellor Prof Keith Hunter says.
DunedinMay 25

$511.9m for initiatives, but principals wary

While some Otago school principals believe this year's Budget comes at the expense of New Zealand's education system, others are wary of its implications and are reserving judgement until more detail is known.
DunedinMay 25

More concerned about lack of jobs

A lack of jobs for graduates is of more concern than the changes to student allowances and student loans included in yesterday's Budget, a group of University of Otago students flatting in North Dunedin say.
More concerned about lack of jobs
More concerned about lack of jobs
NationalMay 25

Protesters held back as PM gives speech

There is a strong police presence holding back protesters at the Langham Hotel in Auckland where Prime Minister John Key is giving his post-Budget speech to a business audience.
NationalMay 25

Budget confirms rise in petrol tax

Tax on petrol is to rise by 2c a litre from August, with a corresponding increase in Road User Charges, yesterday's Budget confirms.
DunedinMay 24

It's a money-go-round

Finance Minister Bill English yesterday released a slightly more generous Budget than expected, but still plans to scrape into surplus by 2015 through some sleight of hand with revenue and savings.
It's a money-go-round
It's a money-go-round
NationalMay 24

Home insulation scheme to be extended

A government-subsidised home insulation scheme will be extended for a year, Energy Minister Phil Heatley announced in today's Budget.
NationalMay 24

Shearer slams 'zero Budget'

Labour leader David Shearer says the Budget will send New Zealanders flocking to airport departure lounges.
Shearer slams 'zero Budget'
Shearer slams 'zero Budget'
NationalMay 24

Smokers hit in pocket again

Smokers will pay at least $5 more for a packet of 20 cigarettes by 2016 after Government announced a series of tax increases on tobacco in today's Budget.