COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Extension
The following is the extract from Work & Income Website for further details please click on the link below
www.workandincome.govt.nz...
COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Extension
A Wage Subsidy Extension payment will be available to support employers, including sole traders, who are still significantly impacted by COVID-19 after the Wage Subsidy ends.
The Wage Subsidy Extension will be available from 10 June 2020 until 1 September 2020 so employers can keep paying their employees.
Applications open from 10 June 2020.
Loss of revenue criteria changed 5 June
The Government announced a change in criteria from a 50% revenue drop to a 40% revenue drop.
This means you must have had a revenue loss of at least 40% for a continuous 30 day period. This period needs to be in the 40 days before you apply (but no earlier than 10 May 2020) and must be compared to the closest period last year.
Other key points
• If you're applying for an employee you've already applied for the Wage Subsidy for, you can't apply for them until their 12 week Wage Subsidy has finished.
• It will cover 8 weeks per employee from the date you submit your application.
• It will be paid to you as a lump sum at the same weekly rate as the Wage Subsidy.
• If you've given an employee notice of redundancy before you apply, you can't apply for those employees unless the redundancy notice is withdrawn.
• You'll need to agree to certain obligations, such as to:
o pass the subsidy on to your employees
o retain your employees for the duration of the subsidy
o do your best to pay your employees at least 80% of their normal pay
o take active steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on your business.
Repayments
If your employee's usual wages are less than the subsidy, you must pay them their usual wages. Any difference should be used for the wages of other affected staff.
If there are no other employees to use the subsidy for, then the remaining amount should be paid back.
Self-employed
If you're self-employed, the income you regularly draw from your business may be less than the amount you receive for the Wage Subsidy Extension. In this case, the remaining amount should be paid back.
Receiving more than one COVID-19 payment
You won't be able to receive more than one COVID-19 payment from us for the same employee at the same time. This includes the:
• Wage Subsidy
• Leave Support Scheme, and
• Wage Subsidy Extension.
Related links
COVID-19 Wage Subsidy
COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
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As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.6% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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