Cullen's budgets: A timeline

* 2005: The "chewing gum" Budget, which almost blew the 2005 election. It did contain the new KiwiSaver scheme to help workers save for houses or retirement, but no tax cuts. An unpersuaded public started listening to National's promises.

* 2004: One for the battlers. The Working for Families package redistributed wealth through increases in family support payments, tax credits and the accommodation supplement. Cullen said this Budget meant a great deal to him personally, and giving more money to low and middle-income families met his "role in life".

* 2003: The "wait and see" Budget. Cullen delivered modest increases in health and education spending with a heavy note of caution about looming economic storm clouds.

* 2002: "This is not an election-buying Budget," said Cullen. He was right. The election-year Budget was low-key. It set a goal of transforming the economy with a 4 per cent a year growth target but without committing to timeframes.

* 2001: A "New Labour" Budget, as people used to say then. A cautious mid-term accounting with some spending on social policies but much talk of being prudent, economic growth, stewardship of the economy and growth.

* 2000: The "Closing the Gaps" Budget. Spending on social policy to reduce the gaps between Maori, Pacific Islanders and Pakeha in income and health. But within a year the "Closing the Gaps" term had gone, as targeted spending became a political liability.