The Prime Minister says his Government is trying to resolve some of the major issues facing New Zealand - but admits they won't all be fixed in one Budget.
Christopher Luxon's Finance Minister Nicola Willis is due to deliver her first Budget on Thursday.
In the Budget, it's been revealed the Government drug-buying agency Pharmac would receive a record $6.3 billion during the next four years.
The Coalition has also committed to paying for 13 cancer treatments available in Australia and not New Zealand.
But that would also require staff, and the regional cancer treatment service which covers Manawatū, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui and Wairarapa are short of workers and struggling to recruit, RNZ has reported.
During his Tuesday AM appearance, co-host Laura Tupou asked Luxon whether cancer patients would be prioritised in this week's Budget.
"Well, we're working our way through it - we're doing what we and we're trying to expand cancer drugs... we have made cancer a priority for our Government and for our health system," he said.
"We won't be able to solve all the problems in one Budget, let's be honest about that - we've inherited six years of mismanagement."
The Prime Minister admitted he's donated to Givealittle pages for friends and family members living with cancer in recent years.
Luxon said more details about where money for the health system will be going would be announced on Thursday.
"I want people to understand that we are really committed to it but it's going to be a bit of a programme of work of continually trying to expand access and drugs for New Zealanders.
"We won't be able to do it in one go but we will keep working at it."
The number of New Zealanders on Pharmac's treatment wish list has grown 32.6 percent from December 2022 to March this year - a total of 220,000 people.
Watch the full video for more.
