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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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Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its end, with jurors retiring to deliberate. 

The former US president is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election. 

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's a win-win situation for Trump. 

He told Mike Hosking that if he's found not guilty, the jurors will be labelled heroes and the justice system will be deemed great again. 

But if he's found guilty, Mitchinson says Trump will become a martyr and his supporters will be convinced that this was a political attack. 

The jury must be unanimous in its decision. 

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Interest rate sentiment might have turned, but people are uncertain about the future of house prices and whether it's a good time to buy. 

A new ASB survey's found more people expect interest rates to fall rather than lift in the coming year. 

Senior Economist Kim Mundy says uncertainty is still high, and the economic outlook isn't very strong. 

She says consumers are still going to be cautious around the housing market, even if the interest rates story is likely to improve. 

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Pope Francis has apologised after he was quoted using a derogatory term about gay men. 

It's alleged the Pope made the remark during a closed-door meeting with bishops in Rome last week. 

They were reportedly discussing whether gay men should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where priests are trained. 

Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Pope apparently said gay men shouldn't be allowed to train for the priesthood. 

He says there's been shock at this, as the Pope has spoken publicly in the past about being respectful towards gay people. 

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