The government will provide interest free loans for a year to small businesses struggling to weather the impact of Covid-19.
"It has become clear that the support that is available to our small and medium businesses from banks is not meeting their needs nor our expectations as a government. That is why we have moved to provide this scheme to give some much needed cashflow," said Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme will provide assistance of up to $100,000 to firms employing 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, Robertson and Revenue Minister Stuart Nash said.
It will provide $10,000 to every firm and an additional $1800 per equivalent full-time employee.
Loans will be interest-free if they are paid back within a year. The interest rate will then be 3 per cent for a maximum term of five years. Repayments are not required for the first two years.