The Govt's income tax cuts for all is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to change the direction of the NZ economy.

Yesterday's Budget was the first salvo of the 2011 election. It was all about shutting Labour out of next year's contest.

The taxman is to get sharper teeth with a $119.3 million increase in funding over the next four years.

The Govt's wide-ranging income tax cuts have drawn widespread praise despite GST jumping to 15 per cent.

Bill English has delivered a Budget in which he can have a bob each way, writes Audrey Young.

Links to all nzherald.co.nz's coverage of today's Budget announcements. News, comment and analysis.

Click here for full coverage and analysis, and reaction to the 2010 Budget

The education sector has had to come up with more than half of the $1.9 billion to fund new education initiatives over the next four years.

The 2010 Budget is a lost opportunity and a massive broken promise, says the Labour Party's finance spokesman David Cunliffe.

The Govt's decision to remove recognition for fully qualified centres 'dumbs down' the sector, early childhood educators say.

The full text of Finance Minister Bill English's Budget 2010 speech to Parliament.

The Govt has allocated just under $500 million annually to health - $250m less a year than the increase in last year's budget.

The top income tax rate has been slashed to 33 cents as part of across the board tax cuts, with the Govt promising most NZers will be better off, despite a rise in GST.