Policy
'Incremental' climate funding a politcal choice - Greens
The Green Party says the government is making a political choice not to move faster on climate change. It has applauded the $1.5 billion dollars allocated in this year's Budget to cutting greenhouse… Audio
National vows to cut 'wasteful' Budget spending
The National Party says Labour is a party on a spending spree, saying this year's Budget will only increase debt and deficits. Finance Minister Grant Robertson disputed that, stressing none of the… Audio
Analysis: Budget 2023 wrap-up
Offering some political and financial analysis of the government's decisions, RNZ business editor, Gyles Beckford is with us and RNZ political editor, Jane Patterson. Audio
Grant Robertson on Budget 2023
Finance minister Grant Robertson spoke with RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson on his 'no-frills' Budget released on Thursday. Audio
Greenpeace is describing the Budget as a gamble
Greenpeace has called the Budget a gamble with the climate crisis. The Budget has allocated more than 3-billion dollars for climate initiatives - including 1-point-9 billion dollars for emissions… Audio
ACT leader David Seymour on Budget 2023
ACT says the government is adding pressure on the cost of living - not relieving it. Party leader David Seymour talks to Lisa Owen. [embed]… Video, Audio
Kiwibank economist analysis of Budget 2023
Grant Robertson's sixth budget headlines with a pitch to young families - extending 20 hours free early childcare to two-year-olds. Continuing with the young person theme - the government's also… Video, Audio
How Labour's 'no frills' budget targets voters in election year
Analysis - After a 2022 Budget that played to Labour's base, this year's effort was essentially an inflation-driven budget that many more right-leaning parties would have been happy to deliver, Tim…
Government releases plan to ease winter pressure on health system
The Government has revealed a 24-point plan to ease pressure on the health system this winter.
The initiatives are wide-ranging but broadly aim to redirect unnecessary demand on hospitals to care in… Audio
Roads still top election concern - survey
Coming into the election, the state of roads is still the number one transport concern, according to an Automobile Association survey. Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says more than 80 percent of its… Audio
NZ rules out vaping crackdown
The government has ruled out following Australia's crackdown on vaping - at least this term. The Australian government is restricting flavoured and colourful vapes from retail, and non-prescription… Audio
Clean Car scheme change 'unsustainable' - Toyota boss
Toyota NZ is warning tens of thousands of people who have pre-ordered cars are in for a rude surprise. Changes to the Clean Car Discount scheme will have a dramatic impact, says chief executive Neeraj… Audio
Tradies say Clean Car Scheme yet another blow for sector
A specialist tradies group is describing changes to the Government's clean car scheme as another blow for the struggling sector.
The Transport Minister, Michael Wood, this morning announced a… Audio
Clean Car Discount change a "kick in the guts" - National
National is describing the Government's changes to the Clean Car Discount scheme as a kick in the guts to farmers and tradies. Transport Minister Michael Wood announced a toughening of the scheme's… Audio
New recommendations to improve life for single parents
Improving KiwiSaver rules, tweaking tax rates and even recolouring bus passes are among the recommendations for improving the lives of single parents contained in a new report out today. The new… Audio
New gas guzzlers face higher penalties under Clean Car Discount
More painful news for buyers of new gas guzzling cars and utes, the government is increasing the penalties charged. It's making tweaks to the Clean Car Discount with a new maximum charge of… Audio
Warriors tickets for stragglers as Stats NZ tries for 90 percent Census
Stats NZ has been giving away free Warriors tickets and food vouchers to coax people into completing the Census.
But it cannot say exactly how much it has spent on incentives as the deadline to fill… Video, Audio
Napier residents to pay 12% increase in rates next year
Napier residents will be paying nearly 12 percent more in rates next year, after Napier City Council voted unanimously in favour of the increase.
The increase was set to be as high as 16 percent, but… Audio
Economist says 2023 'no frills' Budget will be a difficult balancing act
An economist is calling this year's Budget a difficult balancing act between funding the cyclone recovery and curbing spending to help bring down inflation.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins described… Audio
Proving wealthiest pay low tax rates is a good start - now comes the hard part
Analysis - New Zealand's 'one percent' pay lower tax rates than ordinary earners - just don't expect any big changes to tax policy in the near future, Craig Elliffe writes.