Latest fromBudget 2013
Bryce Edwards: Political round-up: Judith Collins and democracy under threat?
Judith Collins' abandonment of the MMP Review recommendations has provoked severe criticism, claiming democracy is being disregarded, writes Bryce Edwards..
Caregiver bill advice heavily censored
The Government has been accused of undemocratic law-making after a controversial bill was passed without public input and with official advice heavily censored.
Science experiments leaves expert cold
The National Science Challenges promised to be one of the most exciting experiments ever seen in our science and innovation sector.
Govt sends message to developers
Property developers who "sit and wait" for land values to increase have been sent a clear signal that the Government will act to bring more housing into the market.
Budget will help vulnerable Kiwis
Finance Minister Bill English says the Budget 2013 will help the most vulnerable people in society "who the Government has served very poorly in the past"
Matt McCarten: My Budget would do the trick
Despite all the political and media posturing over Thursday's Budget, nothing much really happened - again, writes Matt McCarten.
John Armstrong: National gives mixed signals with housing
John Armstrong writes: "One of the reasons why Governments slowly decay and die is that the longer they are in office the more prone they become to ugly pragmatism and compromise of principle."
Brand new housing deal looks shaky
The Government's "accord" with Auckland Council to prick the region's housing bubble is in danger of unravelling a week after it was signed.
Opposition slams rush on disability payments
A bill which allows people who cared for disabled family members to get paid by the Govt has passed into law a day after being introduced amid protest about its narrow scope, lack of consultation, and possible discrimination.
School breakfasts could be served all week
A school breakfast programme run by Fonterra and Sanitarium may be extended to five days a week with extra Government support from the Budget.
The two sides of the coin
Bill English painted a picture of recovery in the Budget. But stresses remain and the economy is being pulled in different directions by strong opposing forces, writes Brian Fallow.
Brian Gaynor: Optimism plays part in big-picture Budget
Budgets are not what they used to be. In the 1970s and early 1980s there would be queues outside Government Printing Office outlets waiting for Budget statements to be released when the Finance Minister began his evening address.
Charities cleared to join state house market
People who apply for a state house may be directed instead to a charitable housing provider under a bill introduced in the wake of this week's Budget.
Tardy student borrowers owe $427m
The Government's tough new student loan rules are an attempt to claw back more than $427 million of debt in default from overseas-based borrowers.
Key tips early surplus
John Key says it is possible the Government could get close to a surplus in the coming financial year - one year earlier than officially predicted in yesterday's Budget.