The "missing witness" in the South Canterbury Finance trial said questions about why he wasn't approached to give evidence can only be answered by the SFO.

Two-thirds or so of the way through the Government's financial year the tax take is $1.1 billion below forecast.

The Treasury would have liked more "Mum and Dad" small investors to have bought shares in electricity generators Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy.

As the Crown's balance sheet approaches a quarter of a trillion dollars, managing those assets and the risks is becoming more important, says the Treasury.

Treasury is questioning the way the Crown manages its assets, suggesting state ownership of social assets may not be the most efficient use of government money.

An new interactive tool developed by a Victoria University professor in conjunction with Treasury lets people address the Government's long-term financial pressures.

Political correspondent John Armstrong spoke to Treasury's head about how he is changing the department's culture ahead of the release of its long-term fiscal projections.

The New Zealand government posted a smaller operating deficit than forecast in the 11 months ended May 31.

Well-connected lobbyists Saunders Unsworth worked with Solid Energy, Treasury and Cabinet Ministers to thwart questions about the company's problems.

Editorial: Naturally enough, the Government was keen to put the entire blame for what happened on "politicking" by Labour and the Greens.

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.

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.

Prime Minister John Key has denied that the Solid Energy crisis and Telecom job cuts are a black mark against the Government's handling of the economy.

Solid Energy is in crisis, with a Government bailout almost inevitable, mine closures possible and further job cuts likely in another restructure to try to salvage it.

The New Zealand government had a smaller than expected first-half operating deficit after Treaty of Waitangi settlement costs didn't eventuate in the period.

New Zealand labour costs rose in the final three months of 2012 as the gathering pace of Canterbury's reconstruction effort saw the building and construction sector underpin gains.

A month after releasing new budget forecasts, the New Zealand government is tracking above them.