Latest fromGovernment Spending
'Too radical' - English rejects Brash plan
A plan to close the wealth gap with Australia is "too radical" for Bill English, who says economic parity by 2025 is an "aspirational" rather than realistic goal
Catching Oz not possible without slashing Govt spending - Brash
Govt spending would have to be slashed by $9 billion for NZ to catch Australia in the wealth stakes, Don Brash said today.
<i>2025 Report:</i> Brash comes up with predictable prescription
The 2025 taskforce report, on ways to catch up with Australia, presents radical suggestions to cut taxes and government spending.
Key cautious on radical economic reform plan
Radical changes proposed by a taskforce headed by Don Brash into ways to increase NZ's productivity are unlikely to be implemented quickly, if at all, John Key says
Tax cuts in plan to catch up with Oz
The 2025 Taskforce - named for the date the Govt aims to catch up with Australia - will today unveil its report into ways to increase productivity.
Floral expenses become thorny issue at Beehive
Ministers have racked up a $52,000 bill for flowers in the first 11 months of the National-led Government.
Health cuts loom as Govt refocuses spending
DHB chiefs are bracing themselves to make deep cuts to their services next year after receiving Government indications their funding will slip.
Chiefs' big ticket travel spend
Public sector heads claim their trips are vital for NZ.
Hide hands over cheque to repay travel discount
ACT leader Rodney Hide gives Parliamentary Services a cheque for nearly $12,000 as payback for the taxpayer funds he claimed to take his partner on overseas trips.
Hide's apology fails to satisfy public
Rodney Hide has said sorry, but the public still seem unimpressed at his use of MPs' perks.
'I'm sorry' - Hide
Rodney Hide apologises for his 'casual use' of taxpayers' money on holidays.
<i>Kerre Woodham:</i> Hide sheds fat and principles
The trips overseas and the snarky comments about the most popular politician in the country have done nothing to endear him to the public.
Everyone in 'a tizz' over Paris - Harawira
Hone Harawira says the only adverse comments he's had about leaving Brussels to sightsee in Paris have been from the media.
Super Fund and ACC to the rescue
Investment returns from the Cullen Fund and ACC have rescued the Crown's bottom line in the first three months of the fiscal year.
Harawira skips EU meeting for Paris jaunt
"How many times in my lifetime am I going to get to Europe? So I thought, 'F*** it, I'm off. I'm off to Paris'," Maori MP Hone Harawira said.
<i>Brian Fallow:</i> Health costs far scarier than bill for super
The scariest part of the long-term fiscal projections the Treasury released last week is the discussion of health-care costs, writes Brian Fallow.
Queens Wharf design expectations too high, says designer
The Queens Wharf upgrade is a mismatch between expectation set up by the public and what can be reasonably achieved within the budget of $47 million, says one Auckland architect.
ACC, Super Fund recoveries help NZ govt finances
Recoveries in the investment performance of the ACC and New Zealand Superannuation Fund portfolios have helped offset a dramatic fall in the tax take over the past three months, says Treasury.
Banks ready to scrap wharf plans
Auckland City Mayor John Banks is considering canning the Queens Wharf upgrade
Big growth hopes could be dashed, says Treasury
Early signs of an economic recovery might not be as strong as many people hope, says Treasury.
Hide's flight of fancy
Despite their 21-year age gap, Louise Crome and Rodney Hide are the very model of a modern couple.
ARC chief savages Queens Wharf contest 'flop'
The Queens Wharf design contest is a flop, says Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee.
Tough decisions needed to avoid crisis -Treasury
Tough decisions about prisons, education, pensions and tax need to be made if NZ is to avoid a looming Government debt crisis, says Treasury.