The government delivered a sugar-free budget, with no election-year sweetener. The result has caused a bit of coalition friction, but lays down a challenge to their opponents to come up with a better plan. Political reporter Russell Palmer reports.

A new child poverty report shows the country isn't on track to meet its 2028 targets. Auckland University Emeritus Professor Dr Innes Asher is a retired paediatrician at Starship Hospital who was appointed to the Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group in 2018. Dr Innes Asher spoke to John Campbell.

Health was the big winner of this year's budget, with $5.8 billion dollars of new spending announced. Dr Karl Cole is a GP based in Papatoetoe, and has previously held roles managing health-related IT projects. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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The government's budget outlined a boost in capital funding for regional hospital upgrades and new digital systems. Health correspondent Kate Green reports.

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