The major international rating agencies have given Finance Minister Bill English the all-clear for his fifth budget, which sticks to reaching an operational surplus in the 2014/15 year.

• Updated Budget 2013 app goes interactive
• Ministers welcome ‘Yeah Nah’ campaign
• Improving broadband product information

New Zealand remains in the box seat following the second day of the first test against England at Lord’s.

• Day one: New Zealand v England cricket test
• All Blacks squad includes 10 new faces
• NZ end sevens series with London triumph

HONEYMOONING NOMAD | “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”

• Beltane Fire Festival
• Salvation, thy name is kebab
• Layer up: learning to love long johns

Taking place in Brighton over 3 days in May, The Great Escape kicks starts the festival season, introducing 15,000 music lovers to the key artists and sounds of the year.

• New Zealand artists behind new science fiction film
• A NZ Music Month Project
• Country Album & Song Finalists Announced

Think you’ve already done Thailand? Think again! TIM MARTIN explores the hidden gem that is the Thai island of Koh Samui, with a cheeky stop-over in the ever crazy capital – Bangkok.

• Trulli treasures in Puglia, Italy
• Hawaii I go
• Top Five: The world’s best waterfalls

You can now grab a top travel deal on New Zealand Times. Search the best selection of tours from the most popular travel operators. You can filter by price, trip, length and destination. Where will you be off to next?

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR REVIEW | The New Zealand Dollar shored it losses this morning as growth in retail figures released by the New Zealand Government where better than expected.

• Whose script are you living?
• China’s Weak Growth Hurts the Kiwi
• Antipodean lawyers London networking group host Anzac Day events

There are some more pragmatic things which have to be prepared before leaving home for Europe and the UK.

• Leaving for the UK: Your countdown checklist
• Accommodation
• Landing in London