The Minister of Finance delivers the Budget statement, a speech in the House of Representatives with no time limit.
In the Budget statement, the Minister may review the international economic outlook and the performance of the New Zealand economy, and outlines the Government's proposed economic and fiscal measures to deal with the assessed situation of the country.
This debate usually takes precedence over all other Government business and ensures the Budget is put under sustained scrutiny.
Following the delivery of the Budget, select committees examine the Estimates of Appropriations, a process that often involves the hearing of evidence from Ministers and government officials.
Select committees must report on the "Votes" (areas of spending) allocated to them within two months of Budget Day, and the House then holds a further debate on the Government's spending plans (the Estimates debate).