Health, education big Budget winners
Health, education and social services are the winners in a Budget which contains few surprises but also few contentious moves.
Budget 2016
Budget 2016: Bad news for smokers
Budget 2016: Bad news for smokers
A pack of 20 cigarettes will increase from about $20 now to about $30 in 2020, after hefty new excise increases were announced as part of the Budget.
Budget 2016: Government 'out of touch'
Budget 2016: Government 'out of touch'
Labour leader Andrew Little says the Government has no long-term strategy to the real problems being faced by New Zealanders, after eight years in power.
Steady as she goes
Steady as she goes
Finance Minister Bill English has every reason to feel pleased with himself after delivering Budget 2016.
Labour claims SDHB loses
Labour claims SDHB loses
The Southern District Health Board lost $5 million in "real terms'' in Budget 2016, the Labour Party says.
Union says caregivers left in limbo by Budget
Union says caregivers left in limbo by Budget
A union is disappointed the Budget did not provide a settlement of the long-running equal pay case in aged care - or any indication of the Government's intentions.
'Why not begin where it is worst?'
'Why not begin where it is worst?'
A bowel cancer screening campaigner was "beaming'' after the Budget announcement of a nationwide programme, but is disappointed Otago and Southland have not been prioritised.
'Nothing in Budget' for families living day to day
'Nothing in Budget' for families living day to day
Yesterday's Budget announcement does nothing for families trying to survive day-to-day, three Otago mothers say.
Bryce Edwards: Minister’s offering mild and centrist
Bryce Edwards: Minister’s offering mild and centrist
Comment: There is nothing particularly exciting or offensive about Bill English's eighth Budget.
Research funding hailed
Research funding hailed
The University of Otago anticipates it will benefit to the tune of "several million dollars'' from extra funding for research announced in yesterday's Budget.
English delivers little to excite the business community
English delivers little to excite the business community
The best business could say about Budget 2016 yesterday was it retained a stable base for business development from which to launch growth.
Budget 2016: No real surprises (+ video)
Budget 2016: No real surprises (+ video)
Otago Daily Times political editor Dene Mackenzie gives his thoughts on Budget 2016.
No detail on implementation of reforms
No detail on implementation of reforms
The shape of the new child protection service and other social sector reforms is still largely unknown after a "low key'' Budget, a social sector leader says.
Treasury figures questioned
Treasury figures questioned
Doubt about the Treasury's forecasts included in Budget 2016 were expressed yesterday, despite the enthusiasm shown in those forecasts by Finance Minister Bill English.
Record funding, but many in education sector disappointed
Record funding, but many in education sector disappointed
Many in the sector have been left disappointed by Budget 2016, despite investment breaking the $11billion mark for the first time.
Taken to task over health
Taken to task over health
The Government's attempt to deal with the growing pressure in health still leaves district health boards short by $131million, Council of Trade Unions economist Bill Rosenberg says.
The more people smoke, the more they pay
The more people smoke, the more they pay
The 10% ongoing increase in tobacco tax is the issue most people seemed to get excited about in yesterday's Budget 2016 which had little in it to create any real interest.
Colin James: A social investment Budget, as billed
Colin James: A social investment Budget, as billed
Comment: The 2016 Budget is a "social investment'' Budget.
English steers middle course
English steers middle course
Bill English tweaks this and that and has delivered another steady-as-she-goes Budget.
Little relief from child poverty
Little relief from child poverty
Child poverty advocates say the Budget provides no relief for families struggling to cope with high rents and low incomes.