Finance Minister Bill English has rejected suggestions that the Budget is being unduly influenced by international ratings agencies.
Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's on Monday reiterated its warning to the New Zealand Government to come up with a plan to lower debt levels or risk a downgrade in its AA+ rating.
Mr English says the Budget on Thursday will strike the right balance between bringing debt under control, keeping the New Zealand economy afloat and protecting people from the worst effects of the recession.
He says though the Budget will show debt coming under control, the Government's books are forecast to remain in deficit for the next five years.
Mr English met with Standard and Poor's officials to give them a preview of the Budget on Tuesday, but says that is in line with the practice of the former Labour-led government.
He says Standard & Poor's is not controlling the Budget. "They have just said to us, as to every other government, they want to see a credible management of public debt, and that's about it."
Prime Minister John Key believes the Government's credit rating will be unchanged after the Budget.
But Labour Party leader Phil Goff says the Government should have higher priorities than worrying about Standard & Poor's credit rating, such as creating jobs and investing constructively in growth and innovation.
