A dispute has risen between the Government and Opposition over the state of Crown finances.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has told Newstalk ZB he called in public service chiefs for a meeting about financial restraint, but he rejects claims of a large shortfall in tax revenue.

He says specific numbers won't be available until Treasury releases its Pre-Election Financial Update.

Act Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking Robertson called the meeting to quickly improve the books before the update.

He says the Government is trying to persuade Treasury it'll be able to save money on current policy, so the update won't look as bad.

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