Bill English has just pulled out a Baby Bribe Budget.
The message to voters is simple: "Vote for us - and you will get this."
National has written out a $500 million cheque for families.
National will extend paid parental leave, boost the parental tax credit and - this is the Budget surprise - extend free doctor's visits for children up to 13.
In exchange, they need to be voted back in.
It is a shameless pitch for centre ground voters with kids, a cynical bid to hang onto soft Labour voters.
It is not as generous as Labour's baby bonus package - but it doesn't cost taxpayers as much either.
Labour baby policies - $1.4 billion over four years.
National baby policies - $493 million.
So English's bribe is almost three times less than Labour's bribe - but both are bribes of course.
As for housing, English has pulled out his pop-gun.
Dropping most import tariffs on construction material - saving $3500 per home. But there's lost revenue of $27.8 million over five years.
Something tells me first Home buyers aren't jumping for joy.
Meanwhile, there is a big warning - migration could explode out to 41,500 a year (from 26,000) - that's almost a city.
It will put even more pressure on the housing market - English admits schools are filling up.
The surplus is there - we could have tax cuts in 12-18 months but English admits they will be small.
Oh and Cheque Duty - that's been abolished.
Saving people 5 cents a cheque - $15.5 million over four years.
That cheque saving is not really a bribe that will swing an Election.
But Bill's baby bribe is. The election year battle of the babies begins in earnest.
This is Bill's Baby Bribe Budget.
source: newshub archive