She said often the finer detail of how the money was spent was then subject to further robust discussions and submissions - a process she says is probably better than ever.
Ms Bennett acknowledged she had a time when she needed a hand-up, but she never wanted sympathy. She said she was always confident and strong-willed and is proud that she has made it to a position of power and influence.
Ms Bennett said she was also proud of her achievements with Government that have helped other people on benefits get out of the cycle of dependence.
She was also asked about the immigration policy, and said it was part of a healthy economy to have immigration growth, so long as it was tied to employment regulations and benefited the country in terms of short or long-term needs for skills or manpower.
Ms Bennett spoke about the healthy state of our country - the growth, the opportunities and the future.
She was opening Fieldays and was excited about agriculture in New Zealand.
Ms Bennett said New Zealand rode the highs and lows of agricultural markets because it was so important for the country, and added that while her Government took environmental issues seriously, they would never do anything that would jeopardise rural industries.
At the opening of Fieldays, Ms Bennett said she was there because 'you're the backbone of New Zealand'.
"Despite a challenging year where earthquakes, flooding and drought have tested many of our producers, overall primary industry export revenue is expected to grow to $38 billion this year and jump by nearly 10 per cent next year to $41 billion," she said.
"You employ over 350,000 people and account for a third of the world's dairy trade.
What's more, we're going to need about 50,000 more workers in the primary sector by 2025 to keep up with demand - mainly from highly skilled or tertiary qualified backgrounds."
Ms Bennett also helped launch a new industry-led Dairy Action Plan - established by farmers, scientists and rural professionals to address on farm biological emissions - before declaring National Fieldays open yesterday.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said modern, science-based farming is the way to achieve a future for New Zealand where dairy farming has a lower environmental footprint.
The Dairy Action for Climate Change lays down the foundation to reduce greenhouse gasses on dairy farms.
The plan is spearheaded by DairyNZ, which represents all dairy farmers in New Zealand, and is in partnership with Fonterra.
The plan has the support of the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
"This plan lays down the foundation for dairy's sustained, strategic approach to a lower carbon future. ," said Dr Mackle. "Our farmers are ready to work on lowering emissions - they are used to rising to the challenge, and they're dedicated stewards of their land who want to do the right thing by the environment.
Fonterra Chief Operating Officer Farm Source Miles Hurrell said it is crucial to take an integrated approach to all the challenges facing dairy - from climate change and animal welfare, to the protection of waterways - and maintain productivity and profitability of dairy.
"The plan complements the environmental commitment dairy farmers have voluntarily undertaken through their work under the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord," said Mr Hurrell.
Dr Mackle said the Dairy Action for Climate Change dovetails with the work of the Biological Emissions Reference Group (BERG), a joint sector and Government reference group.
BERG's purpose is to build robust and agreed evidence on what the sector can do on-farm to reduce emissions, and assess the costs and opportunities.
