The Government has already begun drip-feeding highlights ahead of Thursday's big reveal.
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce announced last week an extra 6000 spots on the Government's apprenticeships programme - at a cost of $20 million.
Eligible apprentices can apply for a $1000 subsidy for tools and training, or $2000 if they are in "priority trades". Employers can apply for an equal payment.
The same day, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett revealed the Government would spend $3.5 million to help beneficiaries take up work as part of the Canterbury rebuild.
"We're offering up to 1000 beneficiaries a one-off payment of $3000 each if they have a full-time job offer in Canterbury and are ready and willing to move there," she said.
The payment would target young people, helping them make the move, sort accommodation and set themselves up for the job.
Also unveiled was a $22 million injection into budgeting services to help struggling families mired in debt, with more announcements to come.
But the pledges are modest when compared to the spend-up unveiled ahead of past general elections.
Past carrots
Working for Families was introduced by the Labour Government in the 2004 Budget, ahead of the 2005 election.
The policy provided tax credits for eligible Kiwis, assistance with housing costs, and subsidies for preschool and out-of-school care.
In 2010, the scheme added 20 hours a week free early childhood education for children aged 3-5, a welcome saving for cash-strapped working parents.
By the next election in 2011, the tax credits were costing close to $2.8 billion a year.
Another big player in the 2005 election was interest-free student loans, which gave Labour the boost it needed to narrowly retain power.
The policy was a godsend to thousands of students but has cost the country billions of dollars, while student debt continues to mount.
It is estimated that by 2016, the scheme will be costing taxpayers more than $600 million a year.
KiwiSaver was also unveiled that year by then Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
An initial $1000 kickstart, plus ongoing contributions from the Government and employers was lauded as a way to address our woeful savings record and proved an attractive incentive for voters.
Dr Cullen predicted a quarter of Kiwis would be signed up to the scheme within five years, at a cost to the Government of $700 million over the period.
And just weeks out from the 2008 election, soon to be prime minister John Key unveiled a much anticipated tax cuts package. The financial carrot outdid a similar tax cuts policy brought in earlier by Labour, making someone on the average wage $18 better off a week.
The Opposition too have thrown some enticing election policies on the table.
In 2011, Labour announced that, if elected, it would increase paid parental leave to 26 weeks by 2015, at an estimated cost of $68 million.
National has since indicated it will also widen the paid leave entitlement, but not as generously as its political opponent.
Voter cynicism
While politicians have been quick to pull out the chequebook ahead of previous elections, the days of lolly scramble Budgets appear to be over - for the time being at least.
Not only because times are tight, but because of the increasingly discerning Kiwi voter.
Political scandal and perceived government corruption have helped cultivate serious cynicism among voters - to the extent where making promises to throw money around have little impact on a population that mistrusts those at the top, according to a political commentator.
University of Otago political lecturer Bryce Edwards says New Zealanders are suspicious of big spending and more wary of "easy votes".
"Voters are now very cynical about politicians in general and this idea that they try and buy people's votes is well entrenched in people's minds."
However, just because election strategies are not obvious and expensive, it doesn't mean they are not lurking below the surface.
"Politicians are still inclined to put out Budgets that are totally about trying to convince voters to vote for their party, so we shouldn't be under any illusions that the Budget isn't part of the election campaign."
Thursday's ceremonial unveiling is still one of the "key weapons" in the Government's armament, Dr Edwards says.
At a time when the importance of the economy is paramount, the Budget will be used to convince Kiwis that National is helping the nation claw its way out of difficult economic times.
"The Government will attempt to appeal to people's public interest rather than self-interest. If there are any sweeteners ... they won't be in areas that benefit National's core constituency."
The Government will be keen to distance itself from bad publicity of recent weeks, defusing the "National Party feathering the nest of its rich mates" mantra the Opposition is so fond of.
"If anything, we might see a Budget that shifts this Government a bit more to the left."
In a similar vein, John Key's state of the nation speech early this year was a "master stroke", Dr Edwards says.
In January, Mr Key announced the Government would be spending an extra $359 million over the next four years on the creation of new roles in schools, including "executive principals" and "expert teachers", in a bid to lift performance.
"Here was a Government of the right putting more money into education, which is traditionally seen as more of a Labour concern," Dr Edwards says.
The policy resonated with parents and was hugely successful, he says.
Austerity rules
Once the epitome of election year promises, tax cuts and subsidies to groups like farmers are not expected to feature this year.
The 2011 election year Budget was remarkably austere, outlining a zero increase in spending for the three-year term.
It was described as "unheard of" for an election year, as the previous eight budgets averaged an annual $2.6 billion in new spending.
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley predicts this year will be similar in nature as Bill English continues to strive for a surplus in 2015.
"We've had a long period since the [global financial crisis] where Governments have been under pressure and what it has brought is a real focus on constraining spending growth and getting value for money."
The tight spot hinders any real opportunity for increased spending, despite some modest allocations here and there.
"Even though it is an election year Budget, there is not a lot of room for making policy shifts that consume a lot of expenditure," he says.
Why care?
New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services chief executive Raewyn Fox says many Kiwis are not even aware of how Budget policies affect them.
"People's ability to earn money, taxation and how much money they lose, policies for job creation ... sometimes there are new policies that give you subsidies for childcare so you can go to work," she says.
"If you don't actually listen and know what's happening and what you can apply for, you might be missing out."
Working for Families tax credits made a "big difference" to a lot of people. And anything addressing the cost of housing is bound to have a significant impact.
- APNZ
