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Labour has given the first clues about how it would run the economy - and hard-working Kiwis should be worried, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Hard working Kiwis will be shocked by confirmation today that Labour would mortgage our future when we are already borrowing an average $240 million a week for the next four years, Finance Minister

Good afternoon and thank you Charles for your warm welcome. It's good to see so many people here today from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the wider Wellington business community.

New Zealand will be represented by the Governor-General the Hon Sir Anand Satyanand at the state funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria Kaczynska.

"We cherish our friendship with Poland," Acting Prime Minister Bill English said today. "The loss of so many distinguished people is a tragedy for Poland, which is felt all round the world. 

The Government intends to commission a new prison at Wiri that will be designed, built and operated under a public-private partnership, Infrastructure Minister Bill English and Corrections Minister

New Zealand has agreed to lend the International Monetary Fund (IMF) up to US$1 billion (NZ$1.34b) if the world faces another economic crisis like the 2008/09 global meltdown, Finance Minister Bill

A condolence book has been set up in the main foyer of Parliament House in Wellington today to mark the deaths of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Mrs Maria Kaczynska and senior Polish personalities. 

"It will be available for signing by all people in the Parliamentary precincts and the general public between 7am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm Saturday and Sunday," Acting Prime Minister Bill English says.

The New Zealand Government has expressed its deepest condolences to Poland and its people on the tragic events of today, Acting Prime Minister Bill English says.

"Our thoughts are with the entire Polish nation on the passing of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria Kaczynska, along with so many senior and deeply respected Polish figures who have devoted their professional lives to their country."

Mr Kaczynski and his wife died today, along with many others, when their plane crashed while landing in western Russia.

The Government's focus on controlling spending and freeing up money for frontline services is reflected in the Crown's financial statements for the eight months to 28 February, Finance Minister Bil

The Government has welcomed the release today of the Whanau Ora Taskforce Report, which sets out options for improving social, education and other support services for families across New Zealand.

"Whanau Ora is one of a number of Government initiatives to help families become more self-managing and take responsibility for their own development," Acting Prime Minister Bill English and Minister Responsible for Whanau Ora Tariana Turia say.

New Zealand has emerged from the global financial crisis in better shape than many advanced countries and it is expected to continue on a gradual recovery path, the International Monetary Fund conc

The economy grew solidly in the final quarter of last year, but more work is needed to ensure a sustainable recovery that creates jobs and lifts the incomes of New Zealand families, Finance Ministe

The current tax system is unfair and inequitable for many hard-working New Zealand families and the Government will address this in the Budget, Finance Minister Bill English said today.

A new Productivity Commission will be set up early next year to help boost New Zealand’s economic performance across the public and private sectors, Finance Minister Bill English and Regulatory R

The Government will close New Zealand's wholesale funding guarantee on 30 April 2010, Finance Minister Bill English announced today.

The Budget will continue to focus on managing the Government's finances in a disciplined and responsible way, Finance Minister Bill English says.

The National Infrastructure Plan, issued today, shows the large scale of the Government's infrastructure programme and highlights some future issues that may require action, Infrastructure Minister

The Government's finances showed some incremental improvement in the six months to December 31, due to a number of factors - including some one-off gains, Finance Minister Bill English says.

The Government's $500 million Jobs and Growth infrastructure stimulus package is on track and supporting thousands of jobs around New Zealand, Infrastructure Minister Bill English says.

The Government has confirmed it will retain the imputation system for taxing company dividends in its tax reform package later this year.

Good afternoon and thank you.

As newly-elected Prime Minister John Key said in December 2008:

Labour's legacy of economic mismanagement was even more damaging to New Zealand families than previously reported, after revisions to official statistics issued late last year, Finance Minister Bil

Housing Minister Phil Heatley and Finance Minister Bill English have today announced the line-up of the government's seven-member Housing Shareholders' Advisory Group.