New Zealanders could be paying GST on iTunes and Netflix before Christmas.

The Corrections Department has today confirmed plans to take over Serco's management of Mt Eden Correctional Facility.

Government ministers who were at a marae when kereru was served were unaware that the protected bird was being offered up as food, Prime Minister John Key says.

Conservative Party leader stands down as leader so party can review the position.

Labour leader Andrew Little says the party will consider means testing superannuation but he did not agree with increasing the age of eligibility despite concern about the rising costs. Speaking at a post Budget business breakfast, Mr Little accused the Government of recklessness for failing to address superannuation in the Budget, the rising cost of which he said was "terrifying."

Reactions to the 2015 budget release including the editor from North Shore Greypower, and the President of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre.

Mr English has set aside $52 million in contingency funding to fund work with private sector developers to build affordable houses on under-utilised Crown land - Housing and Building Minister Nick Smith will begin meeting developers on May 29 to discuss potential partnerships. Mr English said it was likely that iwi would get first right of refusal on some of the land.

One of the Budget surprises was the introduction of a levy on travellers leaving and entering New Zealand to boost biosecurity funding by $100 million a year. The $6 for departing passengers and $16 for arriving passengers will be added to the cost of an airline ticket. The other Budget surprise was the axing of the $1000 kickstart payment for people when they sign up to Kiwisaver which is estimated to save $500 million over four years.

Beneficiary families and low-income working families will get a boost of up to $25 a week as part of a child hardship package which is the centre-piece of Bill English's seventh Budget. It is the first increase in core benefits, apart from inflations adjustments, since 1972 and will affect 110,000 families.

Labour leader Andrew Little penned a lengthy poem that poked fun at National ahead of tomorrow's Budget, and read it out in the house today. Watch his poetry efforts in this video, starting at around the 2:30 mark. Video / Youtube / in the house

Greens co-leader Metiria Turei speaks about what she would like to see in this year's budget, and says that the Prime Minister needs to focus on making life better for the country's children. Video / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key outlines the 2015 budget. He says that the budget "will be about sticking to a plan that's working for New Zealand".

New Zealand soldiers will not be withdrawn from Iraq even if the Islamic State reaches Baghdad, Prime Minister John Key says, after huge gains by the extremist group brought the conflict closer to the capital.

A three-bedroom North Shore "do-up" has earned its owner nearly $1000 a day - just shy of the salary of a High Court judge - in Auckland's red-hot property market. A Weekend Herald investigation into soaring house prices comes amid warnings from the Reserve Bank about the housing market and calls for immediate action by the country's chief human rights watchdog.

John Key says new claims around intelligence collection are wrong - but he won't say why. He also says the GCSB is acting legally - but won't say how. And he says we are spying - but won't say on who. The Prime Minister has fronted media after a day of controversy caused by the publication of documents taken by whistleblower Edward Snowden while a contractor for the United States' National Security Agency.

The New Zealand Herald goes to the streets to find out what the public thinks about the allegations that New Zealand is spying on other nations.

Tony Abbott and John Key held a press conference after the talks where Mr Abbott's leadership troubles and the fight against Isis (Isil, Islamic State or Daesh to Australia) dominated.

Murray McCully speaks with Julie Bishop on the bi-lateral relationship between New Zealand and Australia

A local government funding review paper has had a lukewarm response from Prime Minister John Key, who is concerned at the suggestion of new taxes.

Russel Norman resigns as co-leader of the Green Party so he can spend more time with his family.

Labour leader Andrew Little has begun broadening Labour's image as as the "jobs party," not just a party for working labour, but for wealth-creating business, especially small business, and for those who want to be their own boss.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown answers our questions on rates, Sky City convention Center and more.

During his recent visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping sought New Zealand's help to return a number of fugitives who had fled China with the proceeds of corruption, Prime Minister John Key says.

John Key talks on the possibility that NZ joins up with Australia as part of a training capability, but there are no decisions made on a badged unit.

Prime minister John Key speaks on changes to the anti-terror legislation.

John Key responded to the media today after a report on Dirty Politics allegations released this morning found former SIS director Warren Tucker failed to take adequate steps to maintain the spy agency's political neutrality.

Andrew Little, who emerged the winner after a tight battle that went into a third round of voting, said it was an "immense privilege" to have been chosen.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that a government inquiry will be launched on the Phillip Smith incident. The inquiry will be the responsibility of State Services Minister Paula Bennett.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is normally all business, but it didn't take long for a grumpy kiwi to coax a smile out of her - and even a wee coo. Dr Merkel is on her first visit to New Zealand and was taken to Motutapu Island to meet a kiwi. The kiwi, Whau, was held by Department of Conservation ranger Hazel Speed while Merkel patted her. The nocturnal bird might have been a bit cranky at being so rudely awoken, but that only seemed to endear her to Dr Merkel more as she cooed at the kiwi. All smiles, Dr Merkel happily lifted her end of the carry box to take Whau up to the release site to let her go back to bed.

Any plan to commit New Zealand assistance to US-led efforts against Islamic State (Isis) militants in Iraq will likely be debated in Parliament but the ultimate decision is the Government's alone, Prime Minister John Key says.