New Zealand's level-2 coronavirus restrictions
Recent updates:
Daily COVID-19 media conference — 12 May
Watch the daily media conference with government officials and ministers.
New Zealand will be at Alert Level 2 from Thursday 14 May
11 May 2020 - The Government has announced that New Zealand can safely move out of Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 May.
New Alert Level 2 information released
The Government has released more information on how Alert Level 2 will work.
COVID-19 media conference — 4pm Monday 11 May
Watch the 4pm media conference with government officials and ministers.
Licenses, WoFs and regos extended under lockdown
All driver licences, WoFs, CoFs, and some vehicle certifications, that expired on or after 1 January 2020 will be valid for up to six months from 10 April.
Insolvency relief for businesses impacted by COVID-19
The changes announced a couple of weeks ago are still being worked through, but the Government has made it clear that new legislation will enable businesses to continue trading and protect jobs for the time being, while also offering protection to directors. New legislation will be backdated to 3 April.
Useful Links:
Government Assistance for Businesses
New tool launched to connect employers and job seeker (28 April)
Wage subsidy audits ensure businesses using scheme correctly (24 April)
New Zealand Tax and COVID-19 - Tax Relief Measures (25 March)
COVID-19 Temporary loss carry-back scheme: Businesses expecting to make a loss may be eligible to use the temporary loss carry-back scheme.
COVID-19 Employing staff : Leave and wage subsidies, FBT home office allowances and KiwiSaver responses to COVID-19.
COVID -19 Small Business Cash Flow Loan (SBCS): Your business or organisation might be eligible for a one-off loan from the Government.
COVID-19 Provisional tax: Options for provisional tax during COVID-19.
COVID-19 Research and development tax credit : Information on bringing forward the refundability rules.
COVID-19 Self-employed : Information for self-employed taxpayers about options available during COVID-19.
COVID-19 Specific GST issues: Options for GST-registered customers in light of COVID-19 around GST registration, GST on cancelled supplies and GST adjustments for change-in-use asset use.
Government Assistance - Other
Financial Support for Individuals and Households - 02 May 2020
Support for tertiary students to learn online: The Government has announced more support for tertiary learners to access digital devices and internet connections.
COVID-19 Student loans: If you're struggling to make your student loan payments, we might be able to reduce your repayment obligations. Alternatively, you can propose an instalment arrangement to suit your situation.
COVID-19 Support for families: Support for families includes Working for Families payments, child support and paid parental leave. Find out if changes to what you earn may affect your entitlement or what you pay
COVID-19 KiwiSaver: You may be able to reduce or suspend your contributions. If you meet the criteria you may also be able to withdraw your and your employer’s contributions.
COVID-19 Specific income tax issues: Information about the impacts of expenses when working from home, insurance payouts, tailored tax codes and wage subsidy payments in light of COVID-19.
Additional Resources:
International
World Coronavirus MAP with Up-to-date Stats
Case Graphs - Mortality Graphs - Countries - Mortality Rate - Incubation - Age - Symptoms - News
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Updated COVID-19 information from the WHO can be found here:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
General Advice for Preparing for Emergencies
How to assess health and safety risks
In an emergency
Get ready is a New Zealand Government site which provides plans to help future proof yourself and your work from natural disasters and other emergencies.
New Zealand
New Zealand Government
Bell Gully - Wage Subsidy Information
Consumer Protection (government site)
Ministry of Health
Minimising the spread of coronavirus by keeping employees safe and well at work.
Protect yourself against coronavirus poster [PDF 1.8MB]
Protect yourself against coronavirus poster – simplified Chinese [PDF 1.3MB]
Worksafe NZ
Employees and employers should check their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. For further information about workplace safety obligations in relation to coronavirus, see WorkSafe’s website:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
Ministry of Defence
More information
Harvard Business Review
Coronavirus Could Force Teams to Work Remotely
by Heidi K. Gardner and Ivan Matviak
Lead Your Business Through the Coronavirus Crisis
by Martin Reeves; Nikolaus Lang; and Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak
Prepare Your Supply Chain for Coronavirus
by James B. Rice, Jr.
What’s Your Company’s Emergency Remote-Work Plan?
by Cali Williams Yost