Councils and community organisations from the five most at-risk regions are among the applicants for $13 million.
Hopes of a mass arrival of temporary workers from Australia have been dashed after less than 300 people applied for temporary work visas in the past month.
The prime minister will travel to Australia in July, and phase 2 of the plan to 'reconnect with the world' will see Damien O'Connor head to Europe.
Luxury lodge CEO reveals how business has adapted to life without air travel, and his view is NZ will be 'more popular than ever' when borders open.