Support package extended for businesses affected by November 14 earthquake

Support subsidies for businesses affected by the November 14 earthquake will be extended to March 5, it was announced today. Photo / File

Quake-affected businesses in Wellington and Hurunui have been given a boost with the announcement that support subsidies will be extended.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley made the announcement today.

The subsidy will be at the same rate, and will be extended for a further eight weeks until March 5, and will pay $500 per week per full-time employee and $300 per week for a part-time employee. It will not be subject to GST.

Bridges said some employers in Wellington have still not been able to reopen since November's magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

"An extension of the support package will provide assistance to those businesses which have been prevented from operating and will be unable to do so for some time. It will also provide certainty over the coming holiday period."

Tolley said the package is for businesses who are unable to move and cannot operate.

In a statement provided by Tolley it said the support is in line with the package provided to Kaikoura businesses.