New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English announced Wednesday he would deliver his sixth annual Budget on May 15, just six months or less before the country goes into a general election.
English indicated continued spending restraint, saying the government remained on track to returning to an operating surplus next year, which would allow for spending "choices that we simply don't have while we are running deficits."
"New Zealand is certainly well placed compared to most countries. On average, wages are increasing faster than inflation, there are more than 53,000 more people employed now than a year ago and the unemployment rate is dropping as the economy gathers strength," he said in a statement.
"So Budget 2014 will be about building on that success and ensuring the benefits of a stronger economy are locked in for New Zealanders and their families."
The announcement came as the Moody's ratings agency said the country's economy was on an "improving trend," while warning its major vulnerability was its dependence on foreign capital inflows.
Also Wednesday, New Zealand Treasury chief economist Girol Karacoaglu gave a published presentation to Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, saying that while the economic outlook was relatively good, the global environment would continue to be volatile and restraint was still needed in public spending.
The government must call a general election for no later than November.
Pollsters are saying the result could be too close to call.
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