On Thursday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson handed down a budget with huge spend-ups in health and climate change, tacking on a $NZ1billion cost of living package to help Kiwis battle record inflation.

Opposition Leader Chris Luxon said he agonised over the best descriptor for the budget.

"We thought about calling it the bandaid budget," he said, referring to $NZ350 cost of living payments that will go to 2.1 million Kiwis.

"We thought about calling it the big blowout budget," referring to the $NZ19 billion deficit.

"We settled on the backwards budget. The reality is there is no economic management and leadership to be able to deal with this big issue that we've got, which is the cost of living crisis."

At 6.9 per cent, inflation is at a 30-year high in New Zealand and Treasury projections confirm it will stay above three per cent until 2025.

National is arguing for general tax cuts, rather than targeting those worse off.

Opposition finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis said she expected inflation would drive Kiwis abroad.

"$350 is enough for a plane ticket into Australia and I'd suggest to you some New Zealanders when they look at these forecasts will be buying their tickets," she said.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the left-wing Maori party has been disappointed by a lack of dedicated spend towards Maori health.

"Maori Health will receive $257 million in pocket money out of a total $11.1 billion investment into health," co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer said.

"There is no doubt about the growing inequalities between Maori and Pakeha, and between the rich and the poor in Aotearoa."

The Taxpayers Union, a right-wing government waste watchdog, labelled the budget the worst in four decades.

"With government revenues booming, it is stunning that Grant Robertson has failed to deliver either tax relief or a surplus," executive director Jordan Williams said.

"His failure to deliver either income tax relief or a balanced budget beggars belief. While households tighten belts, Wellington balloons."

The Greens - which contribute two ministers outside cabinet as part of a power-sharing agreement - said they wanted public transport to be free, rather than half-price for five months as offered in the budget.

"For too many people, transport costs are a real barrier to everyday activities like going to the doctor, taking the kids to school, or visiting friends and family.," transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter said.

The New Zealand Association of Scientists lamented an "uneventful if not mediocre" budget for the research community, aside from climate and RNA pledges.

"What this means in practical terms is that less research will be done and fewer researchers will be able to stay in Aotearoa," co-president Lucy Stewart said.

The nurses union was also left "profoundly disappointed", while Save The Children said "little has been done" for the poorest families despite the $NZ350 payment.

Australian Associated Press