Latest from Government Spending

Editorial: It's MP perks, not pay rates that annoy the taxpayers

Editorial: Parliamentarians would face less wrath over salary increases if they demonstrated a genuine desire to rein in other ways they spend public money on themselves.

Key tips pay jump for MPs

Prime Minister John Key has hinted the Remuneration Authority is lining up a good pay rise for MPs this year - but he believes it should be a small one.

China's economic growth rebounds to 7.8pc

Editorial: Super fund should be first in queue for spare cash

Editorial: The Govt's finances have finished the last fiscal year in much better shape than expected - so it's time contributions to the NZ Super Fund resumed.

Deficit sinks to 4-year low

The Government's deficit shrank to $4.4 billion in the year to June, the smallest it has been for four years.

Helping hand for those on outside

A justice sector advocate believes the Government should invest up to $40 million in upskilling Maori service providers for helping ex-prisoners.

Maori and prison: Probation introduces Maori principles

The Community Probation Service says it has institutionalised Maori concepts in the hope it will cut reoffending rates.

Maori and prison: Women's refuge helps men turn life around

A Maori women's refuge is working with inmates inside and out.

Govt's coffers grow as spending is kept in check

Three-quarters of the way through the Government's financial year its revenue continues to grow steadily while spending has hardly increased at all.

Government deficit smaller than forecast

The government kept a smaller operating deficit than forecast in the first nine months of the financial year, even as the cost of the Canterbury earthquakes grew.

NZ benefit numbers drop

The Government says there are 29,000 fewer Kiwis receiving benefits since the last quarter - including hundreds who had theirs cut after being caught claiming them unfairly.

Brian Fallow: 50 year forecast likely to be scary

We can expect some scary numbers when the Treasury updates its statement on the long-term fiscal position this year, writes Brian Fallow.

Crown deficit smaller than forecast

The New Zealand government had a smaller operating deficit than expected in the first eight months of the financial year as it took in more income tax than it had forecast.

Kiwi R&D spending on the rise

New Zealand's research and development spend rose to $2.6b last year but remains far below many other OECD countries as a proportion of GDP.

Fed stands by stimulus - sees stronger US economy

Aucklanders hog seniors' subsidy

Half of the $21.4 million spent on SuperGold Card public transport last year was in Auckland, although it is home to only one quarter of the country's senior citizens.