Progress in the Government’s programme while on track to surplus Provides a suite of measures to build faster economic growth, support more jobs and deliver a more innovative and productive economy. Forecasts economic growth to average between 2 and 3 per cent a year over the next four years. Includes a $100 million-a-year internationally-focused growth and innovation package to boost …

Finance Minister Bill English will meet his targets for a return to budget surplus in 2015 and a drop in net debt by 2021 by putting a cap on new spending, taking in more tax and delaying the resumption of pension contributions. The Budget Economic and Fiscal Update forecasts a faster track for economic growth over the next four years, …

The country’s most valuable electricity company, Meridian Energy, will be partially privatised in the second of this year, assuming market conditions make it a good time to sell, Finance Minister Bill English announced in today’s budget. The widely anticipated announcement could see the government take in perhaps $3.3 billion for its so-called Future Investment Fund, with the state-owned electricity generator …