The Prime Minister is more optimistic than ever that the Trans-Pacific Partnership will get over the line.

Officials of 11 countries met in Vietnam over the weekend and re-committed to the deal, without the United States.

Bill English told Mike Hosking over the past few months New Zealand has done a lot of background work on the TPP.

"We're probably more optimistic that we have been for a while that this could move through with benefits for New Zealand and for the region."

Meanwhile, Mr English told Mike Hosking the country shouldn't hold its breath for tax cuts, with Finance Minister Steven Joyce set to deliver his first Budget on Thursday.

Mr English said New Zealanders are pretty reasonable when it comes to what they expect.

"The economy's moving along well, there's benefits from it, they're seeing those spread around the economy because people don't just want changes in their income, they also want their services."

LISTEN TO PM BILL ENGLISH SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

 

• Government welcomes renewed TPP progress