Budget 2015
More funding for forestry research
New funding will allow long overdue research into alternatives to radiata pine, the Farm Forestry Association president says.
Budget 2015: Lukewarm support for child poverty bill
Opposition parties have reluctantly agreed to support the first stage of a bill to lift benefit payments, saying something is better than nothing.
Budget 2015: 'It looks like good politics'
Power Play, with Brent Edwards - Yesterday's Budget has shown, if nothing else, that the Government's political management is as subtle as ever.
Benefits boosted but costs up too
Beneficiaries have welcomed the Government's additional $25 a week but say it does not go far enough to feed their children.
Finance Minister Bill English on his seventh Budget
Detailed discussion of Finance Minister, Bill English's seventh Budget. Audio
Budget baffles bowel cancer screening campaigners
Campaigners for more bowel cancer screening are angry and baffled by the Government's decision not to fund a national testing programme. Audio
Budget 2015: Compassionate conservatism?
The Prime Minister has described Thursday's Budget as an example of compassionate conservatism. Audio
More budget analsis from Business editor
Business editor Patrick O'meara is with us Audio
Children's commissioner says no plan for child poverty
The Children's Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills, says he's pleasantly surprised to see a rise in benefits of up 25-dollars for beneficiaries with children. Audio
Beneficiaries say $25 extra not enough to eat, let alone clothe
The Finance Minister had downplayed expectations of measures to alleviate child poverty. Audio
Unions and business head to head
We're joined by the president of the Council of Trade Unions, Helen Kelly, and the chief executive of Business New Zealand, Phil O'Reilly. Audio
Unions say changes to Working For Families fail
Unions representing low-paid workers expect the small boost to tax breaks for working families in the Budget will be quickly be absorbed by rising costs. Audio
Robertson: Seven years of budget failure for National
And listening to that is Labour's finance spokesperson, Grant Robertson. Audio
Budget 2015: Government targets child poverty
This is the seventh Budget from the Finance Minister Bill English. So, does Mr English expect a 25 dollar rise in benefit levels to be life changing? Audio
Bill to lift benefit rates passes first reading
Opposition parties have reluctantly agreed to support the first stage of a Bill to lift benefit payments, saying something is better than nothing. Audio
Business reaction to budget
Meanwhile, the budget had little in it for business except for the 500-million dollar cut in ACC levies. Audio
Budget surplus delayed a year
An economist says next year's forecast surplus could still be missed. Audio
Beefing up biosecurity funding
Extra funding for biosecurity, regional research and agricultural education in the 2015 Budget has been warmly welcomed by rural organisations.
Prime Minister talking up the budget
The Prime Minister is talking up the budget and its answer to poverty. Audio
