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Politics headlines with summaries.
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Budget 2021: 'Our focus would've been on building jobs' - Collins
20 May 2021The government has no confidence in growing the economy, and that was why benefits were going up, National Party leader Judith Collins says.
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Budget 2021: Benefits boost in 'quest to reduce inequality’
20 May 2021Beneficiaries will reap the rewards of this year's Budget with a welfare boost billed as the "biggest in a generation".
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As it happened: Budget 2021 - Finance Minister Grant Robertson reveals government's spending plans
20 May 2021Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced the government's 2021 Budget. Follow RNZ's blog for the announcements, analysis and all you need to know.
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Budget 2021: What the government plans to spend on the health system
20 May 2021The government's massive overhaul of the country's health system will cost more than half a billion dollars - just to get started.
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Budget 21: $2 billion in new education spending
20 May 2021Future changes and historic payroll mistakes are among the targets of more than $2 billion in new education spending in today's government Budget.
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Budget 2021: Benefits to increase by up to $55 a week
20 May 2021Benefits will be boosted by up to $55 a week, potentially lifting tens of thousands more children out of poverty.
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Bill to increase sick leave from five days to 10 days passes
19 May 2021A bill that doubles the amount of employer funded sick leave from five to 10 days has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.
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Watch live: Budget 2021 speeches in Parliament
20 May 2021Budget 2021 has been released and Finance Minister Grant Robertson is now speaking about how the government is going to spend its money this year.
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Urgent law change for Covid-19 vaccine passes in Parliament
A bill that makes a technical change to the Medicines Act to ensure the vaccine roll out can continue legally has passed under urgency at Parliament.
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The Budget and why it matters: What you need to know
19 May 2021Explainer - The Budget is approaching, but what actually is it, and does it even matter? RNZ is here to clear it all up.
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Govt urged to 'pull every lever' to address housing crisis
19 May 2021The government is dampening down expectations of any major new housing measures in tomorrow's Budget, saying it announced most of its plan in March.
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Why the Greens' Palestine self-determination motion was always likely to fail
19 May 2021The Green Party is putting forward a motion calling for MPs to recognise the right of Palestine to self-determination and statehood. But it's likely to fail.
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Collins 'enjoying every moment' as National leader
19 May 2021A sharp plunge in Judith Collins' rating as preferred prime minister has heightened uncertainty about her political fortunes. Audio
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Climate activists hold low expectations for budget's climate focus
19 May 2021Climate activists are laying out their climate wishlists but are bracing themselves for disappointment from tomorrow's Budget.
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Hawke's Bay Regional Council votes to establish Māori wards
19 May 2021The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has unanimously agreed to establish Māori wards after years of debate over the issue.
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Budget 2021: Call for more investment in rangatahi employment
19 May 2021Iwi and Māori business' have called on the government to invest more in rangatahi Māori employment and training initiatives, which have seen thousands join the workforce.
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'Technical anomaly' spurs urgent law change for Covid-19 vaccine
The government will urgently change the law to ensure the Covid-19 vaccine rollout is legal following a High Court decision today.
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National MPs express diverging views on targeted funding for Māori
18 May 2021National MPs are at odds when it comes to race relations, offering differing views on Māori co-governance and targeted funding.
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PM defends immigration 'reset', rejects suggestion Kiwis are work-shy
18 May 2021Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has strongly rejected the suggestion Kiwis are work-shy and don't want to take up jobs in sectors that have heavily relied on immigrant labour. Audio
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Pharmac, dental funding crucial in Budget - National Party
18 May 2021National Party deputy leader Dr Shane Reti says extra funding for Pharmac and dental care should be the top priority in Budget 2021 which will be delivered on Thursday, 20 May. Audio
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'Scene setting' immigration speech labelled confusing by critics
18 May 2021Immigration is in for a shake-up but the details are still unclear with critics slating the government's latest message as confusing and worrying.
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Government announces 'reset' of immigration system
17 May 2021The minister has acknowledged there were no new announcements in what the government called a "once-in-a generation reset" of the immigration system.
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Bryce Edwards: Will the government take the poverty crisis seriously?
17 May 2021Political Roundup - This week's Budget is a chance for the government to take the crisis of inequality seriously. A big boost to benefits would be the most effective way, Dr Bryce Edwards writes.
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Aust PM Scott Morrison to visit NZ this month
17 May 2021New Zealand and Australia's prime ministers Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison will be going to Highlanders vs Melbourne Rebels rugby game in Queenstown next Sunday.
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