Budget 2017
Kyle MacDonald: mental health funding
The CTU's economist Bill Rosenberg reckons the government's health budget is $215m short of what it says it can cover in services. Health minister Jonathan Coleman disagrees. Psychotherapist Kyle… Audio
Health minister rejects union's claims
The Health Minister is dismissing a union analysis that found the health budget is underfunded, saying it's the work of government critics.
Budget 2017: spending under scrutiny
Ministers are facing up to select committees to justify the government's spending following the reveal of Budget 2017 in May. Audio
Budget blunder unacceptable - Health Minister
Some district health boards will have to return money to the Ministry of Health after a Budget funding blunder resulted in $39 million being wrongly allocated. Audio
Budget cuts impact migrant and refugee communities
New budget cuts look to negatively impact our new migrant and former-refugee communities.Lynda Chanwai-Earle hosts a panel discussion with three representatives from these communities to get to the… Audio
Govt pulled u-turn on accommodation supplement
The government decided not to boost the accommodation supplement two years ago, because of fears landlords could pocket the extra money, but reversed that decision in last week's Budget. Video
Why does funding only cover education payroll issues? - CTU
The government's decision to set aside $15 million in the Budget to investigate whether some school staff have been underpaid their holiday pay, when other workers are left waiting, is puzzling the…
The effect of New Zealand's budget on Pacific communities
The New Zealand government has disputed an opposition claim that its budget failed to help Pacific people with housing. Audio
Govt sets aside $15m for teachers' holiday pay cheques
The government has set aside $15 million to look into whether teachers have been underpaid their holiday pay.
Focus on Politics for 26 May 2017
The Finance Minister, Steven Joyce, has delivered his first budget, clearly aimed at helping National win September's election. It includes a lift for lower income families through changes to Working… Audio
Joyce not ruling out further tax cuts
Further tax cuts could be on the cards as part of National's election campaign.
Budget 2017: Labour to oppose families package, Greens and NZ First to support it
Without a major boost to housing supply, accommodation supplement increases could put yet more pressure on renters, the Green Party says.
Softly-softly in the face of NZ's housing crisis
Opinion - It was a chance to turn around 30 years of poor leadership on housing but Budget 2017 delivered more of the same, writes Shamubeel Eaqub.
Lack of science spending disappoints farmers
Farmers say the Budget missed out on investing in biological and environmental science to back up their work to improve water quality.
About 100,000 will still be under housing stress - Joyce
Video - Finance Minister Steven Joyce admits many will still be under severe housing pressure despite the accommodation supplement boost in yesterday's Budget. Video
VIDEO: Budget tax cuts 'poorly focused' - Labour
Budget 2017 - Labour supports the Budget's lift to the accommodation supplement but the tax cuts are unfair and poorly targeted, the party's finance spokesperson says. Video
Will the Budget help mums and dads sleeping in cars?
The accommodation supplement will be increased but Te Puea Marae's Hurimoana Dennis, who has helped the homeless, doubts how much it will do for families struggling with a gamut of problems.
Budget 'dismal' for early childhood sector
Parents will face increased creche fees or lower quality education after the government's "unfair" Budget, early childhood education groups say.
Budget boost only a 'slight change' for the struggling
A single mother on minimum wage says changes announced in yesterday's budget would only make a small difference to her life.
Budget boosts family incomes and raises tax thresholds
The election-year budget includes a $2bn a year boost for Working for Families and the accommodation supplement, and a rise in tax thresholds. Video, Audio