First Up

For our mid week report on the economy I spoke to ANZ strategist Sandeep Parekh. The government is announcing the budget later today, at 2pm. So they've already announced what they're going to spend… Read more Audio

Now, those students said one of the priority areas for them was education - and expressed concerns over teachers' pay. Today, that issue comes to a head - with around 50,000 teachers hitting the… Read more Audio

It is Budget week, and while our school students don't have an official say until they turn 18, it doesn't mean they aren't aware of the issues. Our producer Ellie Jay spent the morning with students… Read more Video, Audio

There's been a lot of talk in the past week about the government relaxing its net debt target from 20 percent to a range of 15 to 25 percent in a couple of years. What does it mean and does it matter… Read more Audio

A lung cancer sufferer and pharmacology expert's told says he doesn't think Pharmac is fit for purpose. In late 2012, at 48-years-old, John Ashton - who's an associate professor at the Univeristy of… Read more Audio

The dental association is calling for a review of children's dental care, saying there are too many kids waiting in pain in the public system. Thousands of children are waiting months with serious… Read more Audio

Answering listener questions - which is better for the country .. a high valued dollar or low valued dollar ? Here's our business editor Gyles Beckford. Audio

People living with mental health problems, in the community, say they value the support but also want more acceptance from others. Long-awaited improvements in mental health services are expected to… Read more Audio

The government wants to halve child poverty within the next decade, and the funding to do this is expected to be a key part of the government's Wellbeing Budget this week. Official figures show more… Read more Audio

An Spinal Muscular Atrophy advocate says Pharmac is playing a money game while patients are dying and she's now looking to take the agency to the Human Rights Commission. Fiona Tolich has SMA herself… Read more Video, Audio

A Cambridge family says Pharmac has robbed their daughter of a chance at life. 14 year old Stella has Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2 - a disease where few who have it ever reach adulthood. The drug… Read more Video, Audio