Budget a mixed bag
Defence: The men and women in uniform were given a $982m boost, $576m of that in capital and $100m going directly toward upgrading defence camps in Manawatu, Auckland and Canterbury.
Property investors will enjoy the lack of a capital gains tax, although first-home buyers may have wanted one. Meanwhile, $205m has been put into social housing. The Accommodation Supplement has also gone up, with some students eligible for up to an extra $20 per week.
National has moved the tax brackets and made changes to Working for Families. Low-income earners are the big winners, but National scrapping the Independent Earner Tax Credit will see a childless single person on the average wage just $40 per year better off.
Kiwirail has been given a $548m boost, but a significant chunk of that will go towards repairing the rail lines near Kaikoura. While Wellington is getting $98.4m for its commuter trains, there was no mention of the Capital Connection. A state highways announcement was made, but State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge is not getting any extra money for improvements.
People wanting big improvements made to the Manawatu River and Lake Horowhenua will be disappointed, with only $1m added to the Te Mana o Te Wai fund, which is used to clean up lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and lagoons.