COMMENT: Tax cuts seem off the table for now, and I think they should stay that way, writes Mark Lister.

Finance Minister Bill English delivers his eighth Budget today. Based on the hints he has dropped and the problems the Government is facing, this is what to look for.

COMMENT: This the right time to take some risks to lift performance of places with potential, writes Michael Barnett.

A "scrambled" attempt to address the housing crisis on the eve of today's Budget is a start, but not enough, says a man whose family had to sleep in their car.

Today's Budget will relieve some of the growing pressures on health, education and other core services stretched by New Zealand's swelling population.

The business community's expectations for Budget 2016 later today aren't exactly sky high.

Experts are not expecting any major changes to KiwiSaver in today's Budget but can't rule it out after last year's surprise scrapping of the $1000 kickstart.

When Bill English surveys the economy in his Budget this afternoon, he will celebrate relatively strong growth arising from continuing immigration gains.

Business Editor at large Liam Dann talks to NZ Herald Focus's Tristram Clayton on what to expect from tomorrow's budget announcement.

Today - Comedian Bill Cosby is ordered to stand trial on sexual assault charges and about 140 people are living without basic shelter in Tauranga. Also a new pay deal for New Zealand Rugby that could keep many players from moving overseas.

Finance Minister Bill English is expected to address housing, education, health and benefits. But how would you spend the Government's money?

COMMENT: It's time for Bill English to announce a crackdown on multinational tax avoidance in New Zealand.

COMMENT: Each year, around Budget time, we ask our clients to tell us the single biggest thing the Government can do to help grow their businesses.

Health system will get new funding to cope with an ageing population and immigration - but Health Minister rejects union estimates of how much is needed.

Tourism is working to avoid being a victim of success but is not expecting much more help in the Budget.

Finance Minister Bill English is giving no hints as to whether he will introduce auto-enrolment into KiwiSaver soon.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett has corrected an earlier statement that 3000 emergency housing places to be funded by the Government are new.

The Herald last year spoke to several people before and after the Budget. We catch up with them to see what's changed in a year.

WATCH: Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says he expects forecasts in this week's Budget to be overly optimistic.

Farmers want better infrastructure, roads and greater access to broadband, but are not looking for any handouts from the Government in Thursday's Budget.

Tax is set to be a major battle line in the 2017 election.

COMMENT: With a record net migration gain of more than 68,000 in the year ending April, it's a problem that looks set to get worse before it gets better, writes Barry Soper.

WATCH: What is in store for the 2016 Budget?

Labour was planning to announce tax reforms, which would be released before the election, to ensure it had the revenue to address pressing issues.

COMMENT: Contrast between Finance Minister and PM has some questioning whether this is a political marketing job, writes Liam Dann.

Housing is grabbing all the headlines lately, so the heat is on the Government to deliver on Thursday.

Little's pre-Budget speech claiming NZ workers have been cheated out of $50 a week has been dismissed by National as a "list of slogans".

Deloitte chief executive Thomas Pippos warns the Government to avoid a "knee-jerk reaction" to tax issues around the Panama Papers and multi-national tax in this week's Budget.

As we count down to the release of this year's Budget, Jimmy Ellingham and photographer Mark Mitchell hit the streets of the capital to gauge expectations.