The ten things you need to know about the Budget:
1. A $372 million surplus in the coming year - the first since 2008 - and forecast to reach $3.5 billion in 2018.
Bill English - return to surplus:
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2. Treasury forecasting economic growth to average 2.8 per cent over the next four years, peaking at 4 per cent next year.
3. Free doctors visits' and prescriptions extended from children under six to those under 13.
4. Paid parental leave extended from 14 to 18 weeks - and eligibility to be expanded to cover seasonal workers and those who have recently changed jobs.
5. Parental tax credit raised from $150 a week to $220 - and the payment period extended from first eight weeks of baby's life to ten weeks.
6. ACC on track for more cuts in levies, including possible $130 cut in levy for for private vehicles.
7. Interest-free loan of $375 million for New Zealand Transport Agency to accelerate Auckland transport projects.
8. 5 cent duty on cheques abolished.
9. Import duties on plasterboard, reinforcing steel and nails suspended to cut the cost of building a new home by an estimated $3500.
10. A further $198 million injection into Kiwirail to make its freight operations commercially viable, taking the cost of bailing out the state company to more than $1 billion.
Expenses and revenue:
Herald economics editor Brian Fallow's Budget 2014 analysis:
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Read more:
• Graphic: Where the Budget money goes
• Budget 2014: Live video stream
• Bigger surplus unveiled, doctor visits for kids
• Comment: The Great Brain Robbery
• Housing affordability measures
• Auckland transport projects get boost
• $500m to extend paid parental leave
• R & D tax break for startups
• Police budget frozen
• Beneficiaries left out
• $25m to fight kauri dieback
• Fees slashed for targeted tertiary courses
