Business is unlikely to be blown away by the boldness of the vision outlined in today's agenda-setting speech.

Some of the main points from Prime Minister John Key's statement to Parliament.

A rise in GST to 15 per cent has been strongly signalled in the Prime Minister's statement to Parliament but it would be offset by across-the-board cuts in personal tax.

John Key says he accepts some of the things to be announced in the Government's policy programme could erode his political popularity.

John Key is expected to target tax breaks for landlords in his first parliamentary speech of the year setting out the Government's plans.

How will business judge John Key's economic plans? Pretty well - if he meets the five key criteria, writes Fran O’Sullivan.

US President Barack Obama has unveiled a budget that forecast a record deficit of $1.56 trillion (NZ$2.2 trillion) this year.

Ian McPherson writes that NZ needs a better strategy for coping with healthcare needs.

Brian Fallow: This morning's interest rate decision for the Reserve Bank is almost a photocopy of the last one on December 10.

Creating an 800m public promenade along Auckland's Quay St has been suggested as an alternative to "party central" plans for Queens Wharf.

The Transport Agency has this week announced yet another route change for its $1.15 billion Waterview motorway project.