Budget 2005: Other Government spending

New Zealand will fight the spread of weapons of mass destruction around the world with $3 million over four years.

The money will go to a group set up by leaders of the world's biggest economies, the Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

Last year New Zealand gave $1.2 million towards destroying chemical weapons in Russia.

Training unsung heroes

More money will be spent training sports volunteers in the community.

"Volunteers are the unsung heroes and life-blood of sport in New Zealand," said Sports Minister Trevor Mallard.

Some $6.5 million will be spent over four years developing training sources and recognising volunteers who work for the sports community.

Protesting on a budget

As Michael Cullen delivered his Budget two small protest groups gathered on the steps of Parliament wearing Dr Cullen masks and belting each other with toy swords.

The Unemployed Workers Union came to protest at the Government's "beneficiary bashing", spokesman Stephen Hay said. They were joined by a group from Libertarianz who released an "alternative Budget".

Libertarianz finance spokesman Nik Haden said the aim was to have taxes reduced to zero over five years.

Rates relief for some

Up to 300,000 low income and older New Zealanders are now eligible to pay up to $500 less a year on their rates. The scheme - the rates rebate threshold - was set up to help people cope with rates bills.

Retirement advice

Faced with an ageing population, the Government is putting more money into funding the Retirement Commissioner. The main aim of the extra $1.4 million is to run campaigns to help New Zealanders save for their retirement.

Paying for the Cup bid

The Government is ready to set aside more money for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

The Government has stumped up $20 million for a fund to get the bid under way. But, according to the small print in the Budget, it accepts that it may have to pay somewhere between $20 and $70 million in the years leading up to the Cup bid.

Calling all languages

Language Line, which offers interpreting over the phone in 37 languages, is to be permanently funded and some $4.1 million over four years will be set aside to hire ethnic advisers in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.