Government support packages

Information on the Government support packages available for your business in response to COVID-19

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government is continuing to update its Economic Response Package which includes wage subsidies, business tax changes, a redeployment package to keep more New Zealanders in work and additional support for small and medium-sized businesses. 


Wage subsidy scheme 

All New Zealand employers who have been adversely affected by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for the wage subsidy scheme. Learn more

Business Finance Guarantee Scheme

Businesses can start applying to their banks for loans under the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme set up to support the New Zealand economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more contact your individual bank

Temporary loss carry-back tax scheme

A loss carry-back mechanism to enable a business to offset a loss in a particular tax year against a profit in a previous year, and receive a refund of the tax paid in the previous profitable year. Learn more

Changes to the tax loss continuity rules 

Gives taxpayers raising capital a level of certainty to undertake these transactions, while also giving officials time to work through the detailed design of rules that can be included in a bill in the second half of 2020. Learn more

Greater flexibility for business taxpayers in respect of statutory tax deadlines 

Inland Revenue will be given greater flexibility to modify timeframes or procedural requirements for taxpayers who are impacted by COVID-19. At this stage, the power will be time-limited for a period of 18 months and will apply to businesses affected by COVID-19. Learn more

Business tax relief

Tax relief and income assistance is available to people affected by the downturn in business due to COVID-19. Learn more below:


New tax changes information 

Guidelines from Findex on the proposed tax changes and what they mean for your business. Learn more


Measures to support commercial tenants and landlords

Extension of the timeframes required before landlords can cancel leases and mortgagees can exercise their rights to sale or repossession. Learn more

COVID-19 and the minimum wage

Guidance for employees and employers on the 1 April 2020 minimum wage increase during Alert Level 4. Learn more

Essential services information

Information on what is an essential service, including for primary industries, can be found on the COVID-19 website. If you are unsure if you provide essential service the advice is to shut your business during alert level 4.  

  • If you have specific queries about whether your business is an essential service, you can email MBIE at essential@mbie.govt.nz
  • If you are an essential primary industry business, you may need to register for safe practice here

Exporters and importers

Government support and advice for exporting and importing businesses affected by COVID-19. Learn more

ACC support for business

  • If you currently owe ACC for an outstanding levy, and you can't make a payment due to the impact of COVID-19, learn more here
  • If you’re no longer in business, please let ACC know through MyACC for Business or by using the online form to make sure you don't receive an incorrect invoice. Learn more
  • What to do if your employee is injured while working from home. Learn more


Childcare options for essential workers

To ensure essential workers can access care for their children if needed, the Government has agreed that a range of large home-based providers will provide additional support. Learn more

Community Awareness and Preparedness Grant Fund

The Government has made up to $4.8 million available for community grants to support innovative, community-led solutions that support local resilience. Learn more

Mortgage repayment holiday scheme 

New Zealand's retail banks are offering to defer repayments for all residential mortgages of customers financially affected by COVID-19, for up to 6 months. For more information contact your individual financial provider/bank


The resources on this page contain links to other websites. Great South takes no responsibility for the information published on these sites and at the time of publication, had identified this as being a useful resource for business in response to COVID-19.




Areas of resource for your business: 


Unite against COVID-19 

The latest information from the Government and the ways that you can help to prevent the spread of the virus can be found here


Business webinars

Webinars available to support your business in response to COVID-19

Learn more

Southland job listings

Employment opportunities available across the Southland region

Learn more

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