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1287 days ago

Budget 2021: What YOU need to know

Brian from New Lynn

Budget 2021 sees the ‘the biggest lift in a generation’ to benefits, $1 billion for Māori housing, health and education, as well as an overall investment of $4.7 billion to health. Finance Minister Grant Robertson said this year’s Budget was "still in the shadow of Covid-19 and its focus is to secure our recovery from its impact".
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Here’s what you need to know.
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Welfare:
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Benefit rates are set to rise, with rates to increase by at least $32 to $55 a week from April next year. That is in addition to a $20 boost to all main benefits in July. It comes on top of the $25 benefit lift which came in during the Covid-19 response last year.
- Weekly benefit rates to increase between $32-$55 per adult by April 2022, estimated to cost $3.3 billion over four years (dependent on the number of people receiving benefits)
- All benefits to increase $20 in July 2021
- Main benefits to get a further boost on April 2022 to be in line with Welfare Advisory Group recommendations.
- Families with children will receive an extra $15 per adult per week
- Student support living costs increases by $25 in April 2022
- Increasing the income threshold for childcare assistance
Health:
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- $4.7 billion allocated to health
- Pharmac gets an extra $200m for the purchase of more medicines, treatment and devices
- $486m for new health reforms – that includes $98.1m to establish the Māori Health Authority
- Overall - $243m operating for Māori health which includes $18m to establish iwi/Māori partnership boards, the establishment for the Māori Health Authority and for it to invest in hauora Māori services
- $2.7b extra for District Health Boards over four years
- $516.6m for the development and running of health infrastructure, which includes a national health information platform
- Almost $400m for people with long-term physical, intellectual or sensory impairments
- $100m for air and road ambulance services.
- An extra $50m for the Healthy Homes Initiative
- $3.8m for Family Planning
Health Minister Andrew Little said Budget 2021 increased primary care funding by $46.7m a year – “so that as our population grows, GPs can contribute to provide affordable healthcare to the people who need it most”.
Māori Housing:
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- $380 million for Māori housing
- Of that, 1,000 new homes for Māori – including papakāinga housing, affordable rentals, transitional housing, and owner-occupied housing
- Repairs to 700 Māori-owned homes and support services
- $30 million for iwi and Māori groups to accelerate housing projects
- Injecting $350m from the Housing Acceleration Fund for infrastructure for Māori housing
Associate Māori Housing Minister Peeni Henare said that making sure Māori had access to warm, dry homes was important for “health, social and economic reasons”.
Economic recovery:
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- Treasury’s Budget update forecasts the deficit to narrow, reaching $2.3 billion in the 2024/25 period
- Net Core Crown debt is forecast to go up by about $100b by 2024/25 – peaking at 48 per cent of GDP in 2022/23
- Unemployment is forecast to rise up to 5.2 per cent this June, before trending down to 4.2 per cent in 2025.
- Operating allowance for Budget 2021 was $3.8b per year and capital allowance for Budget 2021-24 up to $12b.
“Despite some near-term weakness, the economy is expected to strengthen throughout the forecast period, supported by the return of international visitors and higher Government spending,” Secretary to the Treasury Caralee McLiesh wrote.
Education:
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- Training incentive allowance scaled up
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- Overall – Budget 2021 gives $1.4b over four years to operational funding for schools and early learning
- Schools and early learning get $185m, in operating and $53m in capital to establish an education service agency to support schools
- One-off funding package for maintenance and upgrades at state-integrated schools
Social insurance scheme:
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- The Government revealed today it is proposing an ACC-style unemployment insurance scheme
- The proposal looks to provide about 80 per cent cover for a limited time after a person loses their job and linked to training opportunities
Windfarm at Scott Base in Antarctica:
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- $306 million to replace windfarm and project operating costs of $38 million
- Expected to need 170 jobs for peak of construction and 700 overall over six years
Pre-Budget announcements:
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$118.6 million for improved cervical and breast cancer screening
$170 million pay boost over four years for early childhood teachers
$67.4 million over four years to de-carbonise the public sector by 2025
Priorities of Budget 2021:
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Continuing the Covid-19 response
Delivering priority and time-sensitive manifesto commitments
Supporting core public services through managing critical cost pressures
Continuing to deliver on existing investments
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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5 hours ago

Tips on Choosing the Right Mattress Size for Quality Sleep Every Night

Beds4U Avondale

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, the right mattress size plays a crucial role.


You might have heard myths about beds and frames and which size suits you.



Today, we're here to demystify these myths and provide a size-by-size comparison to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.


Finding the Perfect Fit

Selecting the right mattress size is akin to finding the perfect fit in a world of options.


Much like trying on clothes or shoes, your mattress size should cater to your individual needs and preferences.


Let's explore some key factors to consider when finding the perfect fit for your mattress:


1. Personal Preferences.

Consider your sleeping habits and personal space preferences.


Do you like to sprawl out or curl up?

Are you a solo sleeper, or do you share the bed with a partner, kids, or pets?


Understanding your personal preferences is essential in determining the ideal mattress size.


2. Bedroom Size.

Take the dimensions of your bedroom into account when choosing a mattress size.


A spacious bedroom can accommodate larger mattress sizes, whereas smaller bedrooms may require more compact options to ensure ample space for movement and furniture placement.


3. Sleeping Partners.

If you share the bed with a partner, consider their sleeping habits and space requirements.


A larger mattress size, such as a queen or king, provides ample space for both individuals to move comfortably without disturbing each other's sleep.


What Size Should You Get?

Let's break it down size by size:


Single Mattress (91cm x 188cm). Ideal for kids' rooms, guest rooms, or small bedrooms. A single mattress is also a good option for individuals who prefer sleeping alone and value space conservation.

Double Mattress (137cm x 188cm). Also known as a full-size mattress, this option offers more room to stretch out than a single mattress. It's suitable for couples who like to snuggle or for individuals who appreciate extra space.

Queen Mattress (153cm x 203cm). The queen mattress is one of the most popular choices for couples. It provides ample space for two people to sleep comfortably without feeling cramped. It's also a great option for individuals who enjoy sprawling out.

King Mattress (167cm x 203cm). The king mattress offers the most space out of all the standard sizes. It's perfect for couples who want plenty of room to move around or for families who like to co-sleep with young children or pets.

Choosing the Perfect Mattress Size for Your Sleep Needs

Mattress sizes can vary around the world, which can sometimes lead to confusion. In New Zealand, we follow standard sizes such as single, double, queen, and king.


However, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and the dimensions of your bedroom and furniture when choosing a mattress size.


Selecting the right mattress size is crucial for a good night's sleep.


By understanding the differences between single, double, queen, and king mattresses, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs and preferences.


At Beds4U, we're committed to helping you find the perfect mattress size.

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1 day ago

Trees

Hilary from Te Atatu South

Hi anybody out there that can do a small tree job,thanks