This year's Budget has been revealed and like any year, there are the haves and have-nots.While some of it is up for debate depending on what side of the political spectrum you lean towards, here are a few of the outcomes of the Government's funding divvy-up this year.The 'winners''Back Pocket Boost' is backThe Budget documents stated 1.9 million households would benefit from the overall relief package by an average of $30 a week. Households with children would benefit by $39 a week on average.A minimum wage worker can expect about $12.50 a week, while superannuitants will take home just $4.50 a week.The Independent Earner Tax Credit is also being expanded, with the upper limit for eligibility rising from an income of $48,000 to $70,000, with amounts reducing from $66,000+ instead of $44,000+.The in-work tax credit will also go up by up to $25 a week from 31 July. National had campaigned on that kicking in from 1 April.The relief package also includes a childcare payment for low-and-middle-income households as already announced by Willis in March.RoadsThe Government is pumping $2.68 billion in to transport over four years, and more than two thirds of that's being spent on roads.There is $1b over four years to accelerate Roads of National Significance and $939.3 million over four years to repair roads damaged during North Island weather events.HealthHealthcare's getting a whopping $16.7b in new funding - though that's spread over three Budgets.Among the standout amounts there are:$3.44b over four years for Health NZ hospital and specialist services$2.12b over four years for primary, community and public health$1.77b over four years to maintain Pharmac funding$1.1b over five years to address demand and cost pressures for the Ministry of Disabled People WhaikahaLandlordsThere's $729m being spent on restoring interest deductibility for residential rental property.PolicePolice are getting $226.1m over four years for an extra 500 police and there's also $424.9m over four years to support frontline policing.EducationSchools and kura kaupapa property are getting a $1.48b boost over four years and there's also $200m in grants for operating schools, too.There are also boosts for school IT infrastructure and subsidies for ECEs and tertiary tuition and training.MāoriThere's $12 million over four years for Kōhanga Reo property maintenance.Te Matatini received another boost in this years budget, from 2025 they will get $48.7m over three years. That goes with the $34m over two years the National kapa haka festival received in Budget 2023.Natural disaster responseThere's a fair bit in the Budget for this sector and it's perhaps no surprise, coming in the wake of the mop-up for events like Cyclone Gabrielle.This $939.3m is clearly that - spread over four years, it's to repair roads damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle, the Auckland floods and other North Island weather events.There's $200m for flood infrastructure upgrades in the $1.2b Regional Infrastructure Fund.In the same sphere, there's $5m for the creation of the National Infrastructure Agency and the somewhat adjacent $106.9m over four years operational funding for GeoNet and the National Seismic Hazard Model.There's also $23.1m over four years for critical frontline rescue services to respond to severe weather events and emergencies.In addition, the Climate Emergency Response Fund is getting $597m, paid for through the ETS.Local councilsThe Waste Disposal Levy is being expanded to cover a wider range of projects with an expected result of $1.195b over four years.The 'losers'The country's debt levelThe Government borrowing programme over the next four years was increased by $12b from December's forecast.Net debt is forecast to peak at 43.5 percent of GDP in 2025 and is forecast to remain above the Government's 40 percent ceiling for the following three years.Tax evadersIt's not a good day if you're a tax evader - the Government is pumping $147m into cracking down on tax evasion.The next lot of first-year uni studentsThe Government is switching fees-free from first year to final year of university - with an expected saving of $220m.Overseas student loan borrowersInterest rates for overseas borrowers are set to increase from 3.9 percent to 4.9 percent from 1 April 2025.Online gambling operatorsIt's expected there will be $47m extra from taxing online casino operators.MāoriThe disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority is set to save the Government $35.5 million.Ongoing funding of $40 million for new supply and capability of Māori housing has been cut. This returns uncontracted funding.And $20 million of funding for Rangatahi transitional housing has been returned to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, this funding was also uncontracted.NZ Film Commission, NZ Symphony Orchestra, and Nga Taonga Sound and VisionThe Government's saving $5.55m over four years by spending less on these institutions.The Consumer Advocacy CouncilIt's being scrapped - that's a saving of $5.72m over four years.Energy programmesThe Government's saving $38.27m over four years by scaling down initiatives like the Community Renewable Energy Fund.There's also $178m over four years in savings from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, including discontinuing new Warmer Kiwi Homes subsidies for hot water heaters, energy-efficiency measures, an LED lighting scheme, and community-focused outreach for hard-to-reach households.The Wellington Science City projectIt's gone - and being scrapped to the tune of $462.8m of savings over four years.PharmacDuring the campaign, National pledged to give Pharmac an extra $70m a year over four years in ring-fenced funding to target 13 specific cancers.However, that hadn't been possible this budget, Willis said - but noted the coalition remained committed to following through on its commitment in future Budgets.

Luke St John from the Fortune Fruit Company near Cromwell has reason to celebrate after winning the Central Otago Young Grower of the Year competition in Bannockburn on Friday.His team-mate Taylor Priest-Johnson came in close behind him, while second time entrant Devon Attfield of Clyde Orchards picked up third place.Held at Otago Polytechnic’s Bannockburn campus, the annual competition is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers from across the region - up to the age of 30.Entrants were tested on a range of theoretical and practical modules to determine their horticultural skills and knowledge.   Units included in the competition were irrigation, tractor and machinery, pruning, first aid, pest and disease and ‘a day in the life of an orchard manager.’An awards gala dinner ended the day's activities with speeches from each contestant and the announcement of the 2024 Central Otago Young Grower of the Year winner. Oliver Affleck, of Central Orchard Management Ltd, shows judges Earnscy Weaver and Tim Jones what he knows about pruning. PHOTO: The Central AppOliver Affleck tries out his tractor skills. PHOTO: The Central AppLuke was a first-time entrant and said he was coerced into entering by his peers.  His partner Mackenzie Maaka also entered and won the hortisport unit at the end of the day.She knew early on that irrigation was going to be her weakness, but was confident she would do well in the hortisports, which was a fun unit at the end involving apples, bubbles and hoops.“I entered because I have been in the industry for three years and wanted something new to do. It was great to find out which areas I needed to learn more about,” she said.Luke said he enjoyed doing all the tasks and receiving instant feedback from the judges on how he could do things better.“I think everyone in the industry should give this a go, it was so worthwhile and I had such an enjoyable day.”For Oliver Affleck, another first-time entrant, from Central Orchard Management Ltd, said it was great to meet other young growers in the industry from across the district.Oliver won the speech competition on what he believes are the greatest challenges right now in the industry, as a next generation horticulturalist.Devon Attfield said the competition was “20 times better” than last year.“Last year I didn’t know what to expect and this year I actually knew what I was doing.”  He particularly loved the tractor driving component.Luke won $1500 and will now go on to contest the National Young Grower of the Year title in Hawkes Bay on October 9 and 10.

In the dynamic and unpredictable world of business, safeguarding your business is not just a prudent decision—it's essential.Business protection encompasses a range of strategies and tools designed to shield your company from various risks, ensuring longevity and stability.Whether it's natural disasters, legal issues, or unforeseen economic downturns, robust business protection can mean the difference between weathering the storm and shutting your doors permanently.Effective business protection involves a comprehensive risk management approach. This includes implementing security measures, establishing contingency plans, and, crucially, obtaining the right insurance coverage.If you, as a business owner, proactively address potential threats, you can focus on growth and innovation, and feel confident that your business is well-protected.What Types Of Business Insurance Do You Need?Understanding the types of insurance your business needs can be overwhelming, but it's a vital step in comprehensive business protection.Here are some key types of business protection insurance every business should consider:General Liability Insurance: This is fundamental for covering potential legal issues arising from accidents, injuries, or claims of negligence.Property Insurance: Protects your physical assets, including buildings, equipment, and inventory, against damage or loss from unforeseen events like fire, theft, and natural disasters.Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance, this covers legal costs and damages if your business is sued for negligence or inadequate work.Business Interruption Insurance: Compensates for loss of income and operating expenses if your business is forced to shut down temporarily due to a covered event.Cyber Liability Insurance: As cyber threats become increasingly prevalent, this insurance protects against data breaches and other cyber incidents.Each business has unique needs based on its size, industry, and specific risk factors. Consulting with a knowledgeable insurance broker can help tailor coverage to your particular circumstancesWhy Insurance Cover Is ImportantInsurance plays a crucial role in business protection. It provides a financial safety net, enabling businesses to recover more quickly from disruptions.Without adequate insurance, a single incident could potentially cripple your business, leading to significant financial loss or even closure.Insurance protection also fosters trust and credibility with clients and partners. Demonstrating that you have comprehensive coverage reassures stakeholders that you are prepared for any eventuality, thus enhancing your business reputation.Moreover, many forms of insurance are legally required, such as workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance. Compliance with these regulations not only avoids legal penalties, but also promotes a safe and fair working environment.In essence, insurance is not just an expense—it's an investment in the resilience and sustainability of your business.Contact C&R Insurance BrokersNavigating the complexities of business insurance can be daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. At C&R Insurance Brokers, we specialise in helping businesses identify and secure the coverage they need.Our experienced team is committed to providing personalised service and expert advice to protect your business against the unexpected.Contact us today to discuss your insurance needs and safeguard your business's future. Commercial - Horticulture & Viticulture - Rural - Personal - Life & Health - Income Protection

Commissioners involved in a hearing at Millers Flat for the proposed Hawkeswood Mining project were not impressed yesterday about the company carrying out earthworks without any consents.Led by Louise Taylor, Rosalind Day-Cleavin and Craig Welsh, the panel questioned the lawyer Jeremy Brabant about the earthworks, on day one of the hearing.Jeremy replied that the ‘why’ was irrelevant in the current context of the application and said the panel’s decision-making process shouldn’t be influenced by what had happened in the past.The panel further prompted the lawyer about their concerns with the company’s commitment to rehabilitating the site.“It wasn’t a good start to the process . . . hopefully the site looks a lot better than it does now,” Louise said.Hawkeswood Mining Ltd expects to create up to 30 jobs and inject an estimated $5 to $7 million annually into the local community with its gold mine on the banks of the Clutha Mata-Au River.Aiming to be operational by August 1, the project received more than 470 submissions, the majority of which were in support, but both the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Central Otago District Council (CODC) consultant planners recommended it be declined.Jeremy said the company aimed to return the land to pastoral use after it had finished, “and was certainly not darting around its responsibilities.”He said the company was also very open about ongoing consultation with affected parties such as iwi, and rehabilitation work would be ongoing throughout the 10-year project.Hawkeswood Mining first applied for a discretionary consent in 2022, for a two-hectare mine over a period of five years.This was - by request of the applicant - publicly notified by the ORC and CODC in 2023.Hawkeswood Mining then paused the application to make amendments - extending the proposed mine to cover approximately 10 hectares for a period of 10 years.The councils determined a new application needed to be made due to the significant increase in the intensity and scale of the activity.A CODC document show the unconsented work had exceeded the district plan allowance by 2118m3 and the company admitted it was an oversight by its survey team.Hawkeswood Mining is seeking consent to use the land as well as to take water, and discharge water to land only, with no risk of contaminants being discharged to water.