Latest iPredict and Pundit forecast reports follow similar trends regardless of differences in data results.

Optimism that the economy will improve, as measured by a BNZ monthly survey, is at its highest level in the 5-1/2 years since the survey started.

The Greens, who over the weekend refused to rule out a post-election deal with National, hear about their sister party's influence on carbon tax negotiations across the Tasman.

The Government is tight-lipped about the reported discovery of a listening device during sweeps for bugs at government ministers' homes.

Credit agencies appear to have given yesterday's budget a conditional nod, though they are yet to formally affirm New Zealand's sovereign credit ratings.

Computer technicians were last night still working to fix an unexpected hardware problem which knocked key government services off the internet on budget day.