Latest from Budget 2016

Mark Lister: Tax cuts not needed at this stage

COMMENT: Tax cuts seem off the table for now, and I think they should stay that way, writes Mark Lister.

Budget 2016: What to expect

Finance Minister Bill English delivers his eighth Budget today. Based on the hints he has dropped and the problems the Government is facing, this is what to look for.

Michael Barnett: Let's get our regional economies involved

COMMENT: This the right time to take some risks to lift performance of places with potential, writes Michael Barnett.

Quit Auckland, get $5000 - is it enough?

A "scrambled" attempt to address the housing crisis on the eve of today's Budget is a start, but not enough, says a man whose family had to sleep in their car.

Editorial: Debt payment may be best we can expect

When Bill English surveys the economy in his Budget this afternoon, he will celebrate relatively strong growth arising from continuing immigration gains.

Budget: Housing plans not fixes - PM

Today's Budget will relieve some of the growing pressures on health, education and other core services stretched by New Zealand's swelling population.

Infrastructure spending tops wish lists

The business community's expectations for Budget 2016 later today aren't exactly sky high.

Experts call for stronger KiwiSaver

Experts are not expecting any major changes to KiwiSaver in today's Budget but can't rule it out after last year's surprise scrapping of the $1000 kickstart.

Watch: Liam Dann on the Budget

Business Editor at large Liam Dann talks to NZ Herald Focus's Tristram Clayton on what to expect from tomorrow's budget announcement.

Success burdens tourism

Tourism is working to avoid being a victim of success but is not expecting much more help in the Budget.

No hints at KiwiSaver auto-enrol plan

Finance Minister Bill English is giving no hints as to whether he will introduce auto-enrolment into KiwiSaver soon.

Paula Bennett corrects housing statement

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett has corrected an earlier statement that 3000 emergency housing places to be funded by the Government are new.

Budget 2016: No help for first home buyers

Housing initiatives will feature strongly in Thursday's Budget, but there is unlikely to be any further help for first-home buyers.

Watch: Bill English talks 2016 budget

Bill English talks 2016 budget during his annual visit to Printlink in Petone.

Dairy farmers not looking for handouts

Farmers want better infrastructure, roads and greater access to broadband, but are not looking for any handouts from the Government in Thursday's Budget.

Budget 2016: Second time lucky

The Herald last year spoke to several people before and after the Budget. We catch up with them to see what's changed in a year.

Budget 2016: Stephens sceptical about forecasts

WATCH: Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says he expects forecasts in this week's Budget to be overly optimistic.

Labour: Raise taxes to raise revenue

Tax is set to be a major battle line in the 2017 election.