Budget 2017

Power Play - The National Party is preparing to march straight into traditional Labour territory with Thursday's Budget, RNZ's Jane Patterson writes.

Opinion - Budgets are not "lolly scrambles", especially when NZ households continue to struggle with a high debt burden, writes Rob Hosking.

Analysis - It's the Beehive's version of Cup Day, where once a year the audience suddenly triples and everyone has an opinion, RNZ's Phil Smith writes. Audio

Analysis - Tomorrow's government budget gives Steven Joyce the twin opportunities of rising surpluses and increased government spending. He will largely squander them, Rod Oram writes.

Two days out from the budget and Finance Minister Steven Joyce is not giving away any clues about where money will be spent - though he says there are no election year bribes.

The government needs to find an extra $1 billion in Thursday's Budget to ensure every child has the support they need to learn, teachers say.

Health spending needs a boost of $1.1 billion from this week's Budget to keep up with rising costs and a growing, and ageing population, say unions and senior doctors.

Business research and development is expected to get a $74.6 million funding boost from the government in the coming Budget.

Māori housing initiatives and marae will receive $27 million over the next three to four years in the Budget.

Pharmac is set to get a four-year $60 million boost, allowing it to fund new drugs including for HIV, lung cancer, Hepatitis C - and insomnia medicine for young people.

An increase to 'inadequate' Working for Families payments is absolutely critical to support low-income families, an advocate says.

The Government will deliver its election-year Budget on 25 May - and Finance Minister Steven Joyce says tax cuts are on the table.