Finance Minister Nicola Willis has dropped some hints about this year's budget

Willis told our newsroom she's getting rid of the idea that departments could expect inflation-compensating upward adjustments to their spending levels.

Among the focuses she's revealed are affordable energy which may include greater investment in liquid natural gas infrastructure.

Willis says another focus is possible changes to the start up sector.

She says she's been looking at the settings of two Crown-owned funds, Elevate and Aspire, which invest in and grow local start up companies.