Small and medium-sized businesses have flocked to an inaugural expo in Wellington to offer their wares to big Government buyers.

The Government says we can't afford to introduce six months' paid parental leave. Child advocates and some parents claim we can't afford not to. Andrew Laxon reports.

GDP growth twice as strong as forecasters picked despite earthquake

New Zealand's economy probably grew at the fastest pace in four quarters in the first three months of 2011, say economists.

New Zealand manufacturing rose in May to its highest level in almost a year amid signs record-high prices for the country's commodities are beginning to filter through to the wider economy.

The Government has delivered a budget that will bring its books back into surplus by 2014/15 and the price will be paid by the public service, parents, and KiwiSavers.

Next week's budget will provide up to $42 million for trades training for Canterbury to meet labour demand.

The Prime Minister says cuts to KiwiSaver and Working for Families announced today will save the schemes from being axed in the future, but critics argue they will do nothing to fix the country's wider economic problems.

More details of KiwiSaver cuts will be announced in the budget, but John Key says the $1000 kick start for new accounts will remain.