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The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black. 

Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28. 

Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised. 

She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid. 

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The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.  

Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.  

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.  

Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise.  

Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year. 

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A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed. 

It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against. 

New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before. 

He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required. 

ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch. 

He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it. 

It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said. 

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Today sees a crucial vote take place for New Zealand Rugby. 

A Special General Meeting is taking place, in which the union will vote on the new governance structure. 

The proposed changes follow the review last year that found the current model not fit for purpose.  

ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they’ll reach the two-thirds needed to pass either model. 

He thinks a stalemate is more likely, but Proposal Two, backed by the Provincial Unions, might get closer. 

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There are concerns that another rise in power bills could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. 

The Commerce Commission is proposing increased revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies to help cover rising demands of the national grid. 

Electric bills would increase by an average $15 a month from April and $5 a month over the following four years to cover maintenance. 

Consumer Advocacy Council Chair Deborah Hart says all alternatives need to be weighed up before a decision is made. 

She says costs are already too much for some with rising inflation and the phased removal of the low fixed user fees. 

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil the final shape of the tax cuts promised to New Zealanders in the Budget today as well as how the Government will pay for them. 

The contents of the Budget will be revealed by Willis in Parliament at 2pm. 

Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker says there won't be any major tax shocks in today's Budget. 

She told Mike Hosking Walker she’s expecting to see some modest increases in just the thresholds at which tax rates apply.  

Walker said it will be a Budget of "adjustments". 

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