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 …

By Jo Doolan Higher taxes pave the path to the magical 2014/15 surplus – and as a reward taxpayers receive ACC premium reductions and tax measures that are largely tinkering around the edges. Yes ACC premium reductions put over $1.3 billion back into the economy over the next two years, on the other side of the ledger personal and corporate …