"We've got to lift the academic achievement of our young people. The way they've targeted the funding and fine-tuned it is better for those that are really in need."
More elective surgery would benefit elders, which was positive.
"It's great to see that continuing to grow and also help for hospices ... " Making people reapply for the benefit at more regular intervals was a way of making sure the funds were going to those who needed them, Mr Lewis said.
Mr Eagleson said his reaction was fairly mixed but generally positive. "The Government has not managed to achieved its stated goal of a surplus yet and is now indicating this will happen next year. New Zealand, however, has been lucky to avoid some of the belt-tightening experienced by other countries."
Mr Eagleson said low income families would gain from a modest increase to benefits, but this was coupled with a tightening of rules to beneficiaries back to work.
Measures to address issues with Auckland including tax changes and money for public-private partnerships to develop unused Crown land would not fix the housing problem in the short-term. "It is disappointing to see the $1000 kick-starter for KiwiSaver removed."
"It is good also to see some significant money for research and development."
Todd and Sharon Blythe and their children Sofi 9yrs, left, and Maddi 7yrs. Photo / John Borren
The family
The Blythe family
Todd Blythe was surprised and pleased to see a National government put so much money into low-income families, as well as providing incentives to stop the dependency on welfare.
"I thought that was a positive move while also putting money into helping low-income families. I thought they would have been more business orientated.
"There was some good news in that - nothing amazing, but it does go some way to addressing some of the problems New Zealand has."
He was disappointed at the cut to the KiwiSaver kick-starter.
Mr Blythe felt not much in the Budget would directly benefit middle New Zealand. "All in all, I think they did address a lot of issues that needed to be addressed but there were things it didn't address. There didn't appear to be anything for the middle-of-the-road New Zealander.
Mr Hembrow was pleased to see money being allocated to people in need and said National had stepped outside its norm to address welfare. "I think most of the Budget was pretty good. The extra $12.50 per week [Working For Families increase] was pretty dismal."
One part that did not impress Mr Hembrow was sending single mums to work when their child was 3-years-old. "There are those that want to go back to work when their child is younger but I think mums need to be at home until their child is 5, so that's a bit harsh. But if they want to go back, there should be some assistance to get mums back if they are willing and able."
Mr Hembrow said life was hard for beneficiaries so increases to payments was a good thing, but there needed to be "discouragement" for people who were staying on the benefit long term.
