The Government's looking for shovel-ready projects to help generate jobs.
And Northland's saying look no further, with five big projects that would move Auckland's port north - and help an area that's struggling to survive.
Logging contractors were the first hit by COVID, including all 13 of Keith Cochrane's workers.
"We had to lay them off, some of the loggers on February 5," he says.
They've only just returned, but the impact is still being felt.
"Northland took a big hit with the virus, Chinese prices crashing and Carter Holt Harvey closing," Cochrane says. "We need some money up here."
That money many in Northland desperately want put towards is 'Kia Kaha Northland', a campaign for five big infrastructure projects.
These include a four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangarei, as well as upgrading and building rail. Both of those would lead to an expanded Northport. There would also be a $240 million dry dock and brand new Navy base.
"We do believe that for the North those key five projects are the one that will be the game-changer for our region," Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says.
That's because Mai says the entire region entered the COVID crisis with higher unemployment and worse poverty than any other area.
"[We need] enduring and long-term projects that will provide employment for the foreseeable future," Mai says.
The area has been forced to completely reset its economy. First it was hit hard by the drought and now tourist hotspots like Paihia and Russell have been crippled by COVID.
In Tutukaka, the local diving business is marking each day they're without income.
Tomorrow is day 50 and Tutukaka Dive director Jeroen Jongejans hopes it's the last.
"If we miss out in the Budget tomorrow we have to rethink 30 years of business, if we close the door or not," he says.
His business supports 220 jobs and injects $10 million into the community. And that could all be lost.
"Got to find a way to survive for the next six months so we don't go deep into debt so we can't survive any more," he says.
He's now counting down until he'll know just how big his business' fight for survival will be.
