Budget 2016

Treasury sees surpluses rising to NZ$8.5 bln by 2021; English increases capital spending allowance by NZ$5.4 bln over 4 years; Borrowing programme increased; Debt repayment and quake rebuild priority over tax cuts

Treasury sees surpluses rising to NZ$8.5 bln by 2021; English increases capital spending allowance by NZ$5.4 bln over 4 years; Borrowing programme increased; Debt repayment and quake rebuild priority over tax cuts

John Key and Bill English say pre-election tax cut option still open despite Kaikoura rebuild costs; Key sees NZ$8-9 bln surpluses by 2019/20 so Kaikoura rebuild costs of NZ$2 bln 'not material'; HYEFU may be delayed

John Key and Bill English say pre-election tax cut option still open despite Kaikoura rebuild costs; Key sees NZ$8-9 bln surpluses by 2019/20 so Kaikoura rebuild costs of NZ$2 bln 'not material'; HYEFU may be delayed

Finance Minister says Government has strong enough balance sheet to borrow billions of dollars needed to rebuild infrastructure around Kaikoura; says "funding is not an issue", although some other projects could be delayed

Finance Minister says Government has strong enough balance sheet to borrow billions of dollars needed to rebuild infrastructure around Kaikoura; says "funding is not an issue", although some other projects could be delayed

Paula Bennett and John Key announce $303.6 mln package of spending on emergency housing, including buying and leasing motels and building pre-fab homes; also $100 mln loan for Housing NZ; but deny crisis

Paula Bennett and John Key announce $303.6 mln package of spending on emergency housing, including buying and leasing motels and building pre-fab homes; also $100 mln loan for Housing NZ; but deny crisis

Treasury reports OBEGAL Budget surplus of $222 mln for 3 mths to Sept 30, which is $725 mln more than forecast in May Budget; Revenues $523 mln higher than forecast on stronger economic growth

Treasury reports OBEGAL Budget surplus of $222 mln for 3 mths to Sept 30, which is $725 mln more than forecast in May Budget; Revenues $523 mln higher than forecast on stronger economic growth

Finance Minister says Treasury looking at whether annual net migration may have lifted from long-run average of 12,000 to around 30,000; says will have implications for infrastructure, Govt spending outlooks

Finance Minister says Treasury looking at whether annual net migration may have lifted from long-run average of 12,000 to around 30,000; says will have implications for infrastructure, Govt spending outlooks

Government increases Budget surplus to NZ$1.8 bln in 2015/16 from NZ$414 mln in 2014/15; English says rising surpluses give Govt options for debt repayment and tax cuts

Government increases Budget surplus to NZ$1.8 bln in 2015/16 from NZ$414 mln in 2014/15; English says rising surpluses give Govt options for debt repayment and tax cuts

Government throws another $250m at Southern Response without calling anyone to account for what's likely to be NZ's largest bailout, costing taxpayers much more than expected

Government throws another $250m at Southern Response without calling anyone to account for what's likely to be NZ's largest bailout, costing taxpayers much more than expected

The Budget showed the Government was still jumping at debt shadows when it needed to be breaking Auckland's housing infrastructure log-jam by borrowing at record-low interest rates

The Budget showed the Government was still jumping at debt shadows when it needed to be breaking Auckland's housing infrastructure log-jam by borrowing at record-low interest rates

A review of things you need to know before you go home on Thursday; Few Budget handouts, big price rises for smokers; More bad news for dairy farmers; Tax Freedom Day; NZD falls

A review of things you need to know before you go home on Thursday; Few Budget handouts, big price rises for smokers; More bad news for dairy farmers; Tax Freedom Day; NZD falls

Our compilation of some of the key business, economic and political comment made in response to the 2016 Budget

Our compilation of some of the key business, economic and political comment made in response to the 2016 Budget

Terry Baucher says IRD's new computer system is a winner and smokers and carbon emitters are the losers in an underwhelming Budget

Terry Baucher says IRD's new computer system is a winner and smokers and carbon emitters are the losers in an underwhelming Budget

Paula Bennett announces plan to offer $5,000 to homeless Aucklanders and state house tenants to leave Auckland live in provinces; policy developed in recent days; Govt accused of flailing and making policy on the run

Paula Bennett announces plan to offer $5,000 to homeless Aucklanders and state house tenants to leave Auckland live in provinces; policy developed in recent days; Govt accused of flailing and making policy on the run

Cam Preston argues insurers are running out of steam in the Canterbury rebuild/repair marathon, with AMI set to be the largest taxpayer bailout in NZ history

Cam Preston argues insurers are running out of steam in the Canterbury rebuild/repair marathon, with AMI set to be the largest taxpayer bailout in NZ history

Key says Govt looking at $3 bln tax cut, either in Budget 2017 or before 2017 election; still committed to cutting net debt to 20% of GDP

Key says Govt looking at $3 bln tax cut, either in Budget 2017 or before 2017 election; still committed to cutting net debt to 20% of GDP