Wage subsidy applications open on Friday as NZ moves to alert level 4

The wage subsidy will be reinstated on Friday as New Zealand heads back to COVID-19 alert level 4.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced on Tuesday evening the Government will reinstate its wage subsidy from Friday - if the country is still in lockdown. 

Businesses will be eligible for $600 per week per full-time employee and $359 per week per part-time employee.

Any business in the country can apply for the subsidy from Friday if they anticipate they will experience a 40 percent loss of revenue due to alert level 4.

Roberson says payments will reach them within three days of their application. 

"A strong health response has led to a strong economic response - we've done this before and we can do it again," Robertson said.

The COVID-19 resurgence support payment will also be reinstated, allowing businesses to get up to $1500, plus an extra $400 per employee up to a maximum of 50 full-time employees.

"This was the scheme we had in place in Wellington during the recent COVID-19 scar there - it is different to the wage subsidy scheme as it does not have to be applied directly to employees," said Robertson.

Businesses can apply for both payments - the wage subsidy application will be via the Work and Income website, and the resurgence application will be found on the Inland Revenue site.

It comes as New Zealand enters COVID-19 alert level 4 for at least three days - with Auckland and Coromandel expected to be in lockdown for seven days.

The latest COVID-19 case, a 58-year-old man from Devonport was unvaccinated and travelled from Auckland to the Coromandel during the weekend of August 13 - 15.

A full list of the location he visited can be found here, and a refresher on the conditions of COVID-19 alert level 4 is here.