NZ dollar rises on Budget news
NZ dollar rises on Budget news
The New Zealand dollar responded positively to today's budget announcement, rising against those of our main trading partners.
Budget 2010
Government removes depreciation for buildings
Government removes depreciation for buildings
Owners of both commercial buildings and rental houses will no longer be able to claim depreciation on their investments.
Positive signs for economy
Positive signs for economy
New Zealand remains financially vulnerable, but there are positive signs emerging and the economy is on track to grow about 3 percent per annum over the next four years following two years of contractions.
More funding for prisons
More funding for prisons
Some of the clinking cash in today's budget will go to clanking keys in prisons after $69.3 million over four years was locked off for prison beds.
Growth in prisoner numbers, combined with 1055 spaces being decomissioned, meant 2270 more prison beds were needed by 2019.
Funding would go to:
Health the elephant in the room in this year's Budget
Health the elephant in the room in this year's Budget
The Government has put health on life support with an additional $500 million a year for the next four years to keep the sector afloat.
Key points from the Budget
Key points from the Budget
Key points from the 2010 Budget include:
Budget out to balance the economy
Budget out to balance the economy
Tax cuts across the board and GST increasing from 12.5 percent to 15 percent. The "what's in it for you" figures will dominate coverage of Thursday's budget but there is more to it than that.
Labour hits out at budget before delivery
Labour hits out at budget before delivery
The Labour Party is ripping today's budget apart before it has been delivered, and it doesn't buy the Government line that the tax cuts are a fair deal.
Key under fire for pre-Budget remarks
Key under fire for pre-Budget remarks
The Government's opponents acted swiftly yesterday to decry reported comments made by Prime Minister John Key that Kiwis should not be jealous if the rich get more from tomorrow's Budget tax package.
For richer, not poorer
For richer, not poorer
Tomorrow the Government will show us the colour of its money. And not an awful lot of it will be a great surprise.
Row over possible means testing for ECE
Row over possible means testing for ECE
Any means testing for parents to get funding for early childhood education would be an election promise broken, Labour leader Phil Goff says.
Investor confidence dips, all eyes on Budget
Investor confidence dips, all eyes on Budget
Investor confidence has taken a soft blow with rental property investment losing popularity ahead of Thursday's budget, an ASB report says.
PM: Budget to be 'solid and sensible'
PM: Budget to be 'solid and sensible'
Prime Minister John Key has dampened down expectations for Thursday's budget calling it "solid and sensible".
Tax set to figure in Australian and NZ Budgets
Tax set to figure in Australian and NZ Budgets
May is looming as a month of transtasman tax as governments here and in Australia finish preparations to their Budgets.
Tourism funding boost welcomed
Tourism funding boost welcomed
Tourism industry leaders say a funding injection announced by Prime Minister John Key today will allow more work to be done on attracting people from new markets while maintaining a presence in existing ones.
PM says tax cuts needed to keep richer NZers here
PM says tax cuts needed to keep richer NZers here
Prime Minister John Key is defending tax cuts to be announced in Thursday's budget that benefit wealthier Kiwis as necessary for economic growth.
Property investment likely focus of Budget
Property investment likely focus of Budget
Changes already signalled for rules surrounding property investment are expected to be the main focus for financial markets when Finance Minister Bill English presents his 2010 Budget on Thursday.
KiwiRail announcement before Budget
KiwiRail announcement before Budget
Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Steven Joyce will make a pre-budget announcement about KiwiRail tomorrow morning, two days ahead of the full 2010 budget.
Greens offer Budget package
Greens offer Budget package
A progressive power pricing system whereby a portion of all households' power bills has a set low price is among measures laid out in the Green Party's $4.46 billion a year alternative budget.
Goff fights back in pre-budget speech
Goff fights back in pre-budget speech
In an appeal to low and middle income earners Labour Leader Phil Goff today said the Government was hitting them with GST, but only the rich would benefit from planned tax cuts.