When National was in opposition, one of its favourite topics was that Helen Clark said in 1999 her aim was to raise New Zealand's living standards into the top half of the OECD.

She failed to do this, and was frequently reminded of that in the run-up to the last election.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has set out the Government's main longer-term economic objectives and says reversing years of poor productivity growth is the most vital task ahead.

Wellington, July 10 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key today signed a tax information exchange agreement with the Cook Islands.

Wellington, June 28 NZPA - The Government ignored Treasury advice when it removed the research and development tax credit, the Labour Party said today. Spokeswoman Moana Mackey said the Treasury expressed the same concerns her party had been raising since the election.

Wellington, June 24 NZPA - The Government is having to defend itself against a sustained Labour Party attack over job losses during the recession.

Wellington, June 3 NZPA - Treasury Secretary John Whitehead today risked the wrath of property investors by suggesting New Zealand address the long standing issue of taxing capital gains from property investment.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, May 29 NZPA - The slogan over Bill English's budget is "Road to Recovery" and it's going to be a rocky ride.

Wellington, May 28 NZPA - One of the nation's highest-profile scientists, Paul Callaghan, of Victoria University, says today's budget was "extremely disappointing" for science and technology.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, May 28 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English has presented a bleak budget that prepares New Zealand for even tougher times to come.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, May 28 NZPA - While other sectors are having their belts tightened health has been given a $3 billion injection. The $3b over the next four years allows the Government to focus on more doctors and cheaper medicine.