The Budget boosts spending on curriculum changes and trade training for teens, freezes nearly all tertiary subsidies and fast-tracks a modest boost for early childhood services.

As promised, the Finance Minister has delivered a bread-and-butter Budget 2026, with few big surprises and no sign of a lolly scramble.

Christchurch United’s Southern League hopes may be fading week by week, but assistant coach Adria Casals hopes Friday’s Chatham Cup tie against Nomads can spark a change in fortunes.

Scott Barrett will miss the All Blacks Nations Championship tests and South Africa tour as he recovers from back surgery.

A pair of critically endangered Christchurch parakeets have earned their title of "super parents" of the bird world after bringing 55 chicks into the world to contribute to the survival of their species.