Covid kitty: we'll borrow more if we have to, Robertson says

The wage subsidy is live once again and will help shuttered businesses pay their staff. (Source: Getty)

Wed, 18 Aug 2021

Finance minister Grant Robertson says there is plenty of covid relief funding available to cover wage subsidies in the current lockdown and the government would simply borrow more to cover a longer lockdown if it had to.“We have got more than enough money set aside to deal with the current lockdown,” he told BusinessDesk. The most up-to-date estimate has $4.7 billion left in the covid relief funding announced last year, which in total came to $62.5b of government support for businesses, wage and salary earners and a host of gov...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market close

NZ sharemarket falls 1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 11,804.84, down 111.94 points or 0.94%.

Graham Skellern 16 Apr 2024

Media

Stuff moves into broadcast news

Newspaper publisher Stuff has agreed a deal to produce TV news on channel Three.

Daniel Dunkley 16 Apr 2024

Infrastructure

ComCom takes One NZ to court

The commission alleges some breaches are ongoing.

Rebecca Howard 16 Apr 2024

Sponsored

Building confidence and capability is the key to boosting productivity

In the pack houses of Hawke’s Bay apple growers, smart cameras scan the apples looking for blemishes and grading the fruit to ensure only the best is selected for domestic and international markets.

ASB

Sponsored