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 2012
'Zero aspiration' budget: opposition
'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.
Govt technology move 'huge blow' to schools
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.
Video: The 'sensible' budget
Video: The 'sensible' budget
Brian Fallow, the New Zealand Herald's Economics Editor, gives his expert analysis on Budget 2012.
Asset-threshold change called attack on elderly
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.
Housing fund 'not a fresh initiative'
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.
Week in politics: Nats will have to make big super calls sooner or later
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.
Spend-up announced before cash comes in
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.
Little for those 'in most need'
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.
Tax on tobacco divides
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.
Accounts great in comparison: BNZ
Accounts great in comparison: BNZ
Finance Minister Bill English yesterday delivered exactly what he had promised - a return to fiscal surplus by June 2015.
Funds for welfare reform
Funds for welfare reform
The first phase of the Government's welfare reforms has received $287.5 million, over the next four years.
Practitioners cool on tax-reform tinkering
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.
Frustration as few initiatives seen for post-quake rebuilding
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.
$511.9m for initiatives, but principals wary
$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.
'Good to be recognised as a path to the future'
'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.
KiwiSaver auto-enrolment shelved
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.
Cuts to allow greater emphasis: Joyce
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.
More concerned about lack of jobs
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.
Protesters held back as PM gives speech
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.