He said the outlook for the economy was better than expected, and Queenstown would benefit from the strength of the Australian economy, as it had last year with a record number of transtasman visitors to the district's skifields.
He defended the Budget's tax changes.
"It's not a lolly scramble. Whatever money we've given we have taken away, and that's obvious with the rise in GST," he said.
However, the Government was trying to discourage people from spending and offer an incentive to earners.
He rejected a suggestion from the floor during the question and answer session to introduce a scheme whereby tourists could reclaim GST on their purchases.
Many other countries have similar schemes, to encourage visitors to buy more products.
Mr English said the scheme was not needed because New Zealand had high quality products which tourists were happy to buy.
"We have a clean GST system and we want to maintain that. We are not in a position to give away revenue," he said.
Sir Eion Edgar asked Mr English why he had not included money in the budget to replace the Kawarau bridge.
Mr English said the Kawarau bridge was his [Mr English's] "favourite little local project".
