SECTIONS

budget 2014

NationalMay 26

Free GP visits for under-13s

More than 400,000 school children will be entitled to free GP visits through one of the biggest surprises in Budget 2014.
NationalMay 26

Beneficiaries to get $3000 for move to Christchurch

Beneficiaries outside of Christchurch will be given a $3000 incentive to take up full-time work in Christchurch, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
Beneficiaries to get $3000 for move to Christchurch
Beneficiaries to get $3000 for move to Christchurch
NationalMay 16

Opinion: Budget offers much to sway 'Middle New Zealand'

When it comes to searching for the inhabitants of that land otherwise described by politicians in Tolkien-sounding fashion as Middle New Zealand, you need look no further than the Hastings suburb of Mahora.
DunedinMay 16

Paid parental leave still wanting: mum

The extra four weeks of paid parental leave was a move in the right direction but not enough, Dunedin early childhood centre teacher and manager Kim Woods said yesterday. Mrs Woods (29), of Glenross, said her son, Corban, was born last week and she had used her sick leave, annual leave and was about to start her 14 weeks' paid parental leave.
Paid parental leave still wanting: mum
Paid parental leave still wanting: mum
NationalMay 15

The key to it all? The surplus

Finance Minister Bill English has used a wafer-thin surplus to undercut Opposition policies while using some creative spending ideas to try to improve National's chances of re-election in September.
The key to it all? The surplus
The key to it all? The surplus
BusinessMay 15

Super fund payments by 2020

The Government has not changed its stance on the age of eligibility for superannuation remaining at 65 years, but said contributions to the ''Cullen Fund'' could resume by about 2020.
NationalMay 15

Small surplus, lift in spending

Finance Minister Bill English yesterday confirmed the Government's accounts would move to a wafer-thin surplus next year as he increased further annual Budget allowances to $1.5 billion.
BusinessMay 15

Police funding held at $1.46b

Core funding for the New Zealand Police flat-lined in the Budget with Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley maintaining spending at $1.4 billion a year.
DunedinMay 15

Little in it for us, Grey Power president says

Grey Power Otago has hit out at a Budget the organisation's president said was aimed at attracting the youth vote.
NationalMay 15

Budget spending drops in per capita terms

Budget 2014 lifts government spending by $1.5 billion or 2 per cent in the coming year, but that will represent a cut in real per capita terms.
BusinessMay 15

R&D policies praised

Start-ups pouring money into research and development will get a cash-flow boost under a new tax measure that is seen as a "great response" to the sector's challenges.
DunedinMay 15

Budget beauty in eye of beholder

A good election-year Budget, a frustration for the arts community, or a Budget from a Government unwilling to set the agenda on climate change - those were the differing views of three North Dunedin flatmates last night.
Budget beauty in eye of beholder
Budget beauty in eye of beholder
NationalMay 15

Free GP visits, scrips surprise

Free GP visits and prescriptions for children under 13 was the surprise feature of the health announcements in yesterday's Budget.
DunedinMay 15

Narrow focus disappoints university

The University of Otago appears to be a winner from this year's Budget, with extra funding for health sciences and research.
Narrow focus disappoints university
Narrow focus disappoints university
DunedinMay 15

Extra matches inflation, but is that sufficient?

While the Government's $857.8 million investment in early childhood, primary and secondary education over the next four years has been applauded, an education expert is questioning whether it is enough.
Extra matches inflation, but is that sufficient?
Extra matches inflation, but is that sufficient?
EditorialMay 15

A clever document

Budget 2014 was handed down yesterday without much fanfare.
NationalMay 15

Govt to slash duty-free cigarettes

The days of bulk-buying cigarettes at the border are over after the Government revealed its latest anti-smoking policy will cut the duty-free allowance from 10 cigarette packs to two.
NationalMay 15

Nothing extra for beneficiaries

While young working families got treats in the Budget, there was nothing extra for beneficiaries' pockets - the key welfare announcement was an extra $25 million a year to help get beneficiaries back into work.
NationalMay 15

Tax break for research and development

Businesses will receive a $60 million tax break on research and development spending over the next four years under two new measures in today's Budget.
NationalMay 15

Budget's family focus will be welcomed: PM

New Zealanders will welcome the family focus of today's Budget, Prime Minister John Key says.
Budget's family focus will be welcomed: PM
Budget's family focus will be welcomed: PM
NationalMay 15

Budget 2014: Back in black

Finance Minister Bill English has delivered an election year Budget which delivers a bigger than forecast surplus, free doctors' visits for 400,000 more children, big cuts to ACC levies and dangles the prospect of tax cuts in front of voters.
Budget 2014: Back in black
Budget 2014: Back in black
NationalMay 15

$40m set aside for irrigation

Farmers have been given another $40 million to fund irrigation schemes, as part of a programme which Labour has called "the privatisation of freshwater by stealth".
NationalMay 15

Boost for Auckland transport projects

Key Auckland transport projects have received a boost under the Budget 2014 through a $375 million interest-free loan to the NZTA.
NationalMay 15

Some tertiary fees to be cut

The Government will slash tertiary tuition fees for science, agriculture, and some health science courses such as physiotherapy, Budget 2014 shows.
NationalMay 15

$50m more for Christchurch quake recovery

An additional $50 million in funding has been allocated for the Canterbury Earthquake recovery in the Budget.