Prime Minister John Key has signalled gains for the science sector in the Budget.
At a lower North Island regional conference of the National Party on Sunday, he said the science sector would be at the heart of the Budget, saying this was a priority for new spending.
Mr Key told delegates the challenge for the Government is to get more firms using science, research and technology to deliver more valuable products and services.
A Radio New Zealand political reporter says the speech outlined the Government's achievements over the past 18 months, paid tribute to National's coalition partners and took a swipe at what Mr Key called the Labour Party's "open chequebook" approach to solving the country's problems.
By contrast, Mr Key said the upcoming Budget would reinforce the Government's credentials as a responsible manager of personal and business taxes.
The 2010 Budget will be delivered on 20 May.
