On 17 March, Finance Minister Grant Robertson outlined a $12.1 billion package to support New Zealanders, their jobs and businesses from the impact of COVID-19. 

On 23 March, the Minister announced significant further support for the economy, workers and businesses, including removal of the cap on the Government’s wage subsidy scheme which will inject a further $4 billion into the economy over the next eleven weeks.

For details of the 23 March announcement, visit the Beehive website.

The economic response package includes:

• Initial $500 million boost for health (see link to the Minister of Health's media release below)
• $5.1 billion in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions
• $126 million in COVID-19 leave and self-isolation support
• $2.8 billion income support package for our most vulnerable, including a permanent $25 per week benefit increase and a doubling of the Winter Energy Payment for 2020
• $100 million redeployment package
• $2.8 billion in business tax changes to free up cashflow, including a provisional tax threshold lift, the reinstatement of building depreciation and writing off interest on the late payment of tax
• $600 million initial aviation support package