COVID-19: Easing money worries

The pandemic has obviously had an impact on employment. Industries such as accommodation and food services, retail trade, manufacturing and construction have been the worst hit. In Tāmaki Makaurau the largest impact has been seen in accommodation, food services and retail. This means workers in these industries have had their employment disrupted. Read more about employment support during COVID-19. 

Loss of employment has serious impact on finances so many whānau and households will be struggling to put kai on the table, pay rents and mortgages and keep their whare warm and dry. Losing work and income also affects your hauora (health) and puts pressure on how you keep your life and health in balance.

If you find you're struggling, read more about:

• your wairua and how to lift your spirits
• how to deal with anxiety and mental health and wellbeing concerns. 

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Here are some resources and places to go to get information and financial support to help you through this difficult time.

COVID-19 welfare 

The COVID-19 welfare phone line(external link)(external link)(external link) 0800 512 337 is available Monday–Friday 8am–5pm and weekends and public holidays 8am–1pm. It's a free service that can help you with:

• food and essential items
• mobile data so you can keep in contact with friends and whānau
• support for personal care or daily tasks
• talking to your employer if you are worried about your leave or pay
• mental health support
• support with family or sexual violence.

This tool(external link)(external link)(external link) allows you to find out what financial support you could access if your income has been affected by COVID-19.

Government and tax assistance

The Inland Revenue Department(external link)(external link)(external link) (IRD) offers several ways to assist with COVID-19 hardship.

There is a cost of living payment of $350 divided into 3 payments, the first of which was paid on 1 August 2022. For those who meet the eligibility criteria this is automatically applied, but the IRD needs a correct bank account number to make sure the payment can be processed. Read more about the payment and who is eligible.(external link)(external link)(external link)

There's some flexibility if you can’t pay your tax on time because you've been affected by COVID-19. This applies to penalties and interest for tax payments that were due on or after 14 February 2020 up until 8 April 2024 (including provisional tax). Read more about asking for financial relief.(external link)(external link)(external link) 

The Small Business Cashflow Scheme(external link)(external link)(external link) (SBCS) was introduced to support small to medium businesses and organisations struggling with a loss of actual revenue due to COVID-19. Applications are open until 31 December 2023.

Work and Income NZ (WINZ) for whānau

The WINZ site(external link)(external link)(external link) has links to find out about the supports available for individuals, whānau, employers and self-employed people affected by COVID-19. 

All the information on WINZ sites is provided in a variety of languages. 

If you’ve lost your job or can’t work, you may be able to get a benefit, some other financial help or support to find work. It may be possible to get help even if you’re working and on a low income. You may be able to get help with the cost of food, accommodation, power, gas, heating or water and medical and dental care. Read more about help for you and your whānau.(external link)(external link)(external link)

There are options for help with urgent or unexpected costs(external link)(external link)(external link) (even if you’re working). These include:

• food
• accommodation costs (rent, mortgage, board)
• power, gas and water bills or heating
• dental treatment
• glasses
• whiteware (eg, fridge, freezer, washing machine)
• medical costs
• home repairs and maintenance
• car repairs
• bereavement
• fire or theft.

WINZ for employers

There is a COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme(external link) available to employers, including self-employed people, to help pay employees who must self-isolate because of COVID-19 and can't work at home during that period.

The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment(external link)(external link)(external link) is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay employees who can’t work from home while they (or their dependents) wait for a COVID-19 PCR test result (this doesn’t apply to RAT tests).

Auckland City Council

The Auckland City Council is offering postponement of rates for residential property owners who meet their criteria. Read more about the rates postponement scheme and how to apply.(external link)(external link)(external link) 


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Hardship and budgeting

• This directory(external link)(external link)(external link) provides links to many organisations in Auckland that can assist with hardship support.
• This directory(external link)(external link)(external link) provides links for organisations in Te Taitokerau Northland that can assist with hardship support.
• The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) lists budgeting services around the country(external link)(external link)(external link) and in Auckland(external link)(external link)(external link) specifically. Many of these offer other support services as well.
• The Government provides a SuperGold card scheme for all New Zealanders aged 65 years and older. You should automatically receive a SuperGold card when you become eligible for superannuation but, if you didn't, you can apply for one.(external link)(external link)(external link) It offers discounts on food, petrol and other goods from a range of retail outlets(external link)(external link)(external link) as well as free travel (see below).

Health and wellbeing

• Free RAT tests(external link)(external link)(external link) are available to the members of every whare (household).
• Dignity(external link)(external link)(external link) provides free-period products for people without access to these products.
• The Ministry of Health's prescription subsidy scheme(external link)(external link)(external link) reduces costs for people and whānau who have a lot of prescribed medicines. 
• The Ministry of Health's high-use health card(external link)(external link)(external link) provides subsidised healthcare appointments for people who need to visit their GP often for ongoing health condition/s.
• Check to see if you meet the criteria for a community services card(external link)(external link)(external link) to help with healthcare costs. 

Food/kai

• Food bank and food parcel (external link)options around New Zealand.
• The New Zealand food bank directory(external link)(external link)(external link) has links to food banks and opportunities for financial assistance and community resources throughout the motu. 
• The Zero Hunger Collective(external link)(external link)(external link) site provides links to a variety of community food organisations across New Zealand including Māra kai (community gardens), Pātaka Kai (community store houses), regular community meals as well as more traditional food banks offering food parcels, budgeting support and more.

Read more about eating well for less and where to get help if you are having problems putting kai on the table.

Transport

• The Ministry of Transport offers a mobility service(external link)(external link)(external link) providing subsidised licensed taxi services for people who can't use buses, trains or ferries because they have a physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological disability.
• St John provides a koha-based health shuttle service(external link)(external link)(external link) that transports people to health-related visits and then brings them home again. Here is a list of regions where the service is offered [PDF, 76 KB], including 4 based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
• SuperGold card holders can travel free on public transport at off-peak times. In most areas off-peak is usually 9am to 3pm and from 6.30pm to the end of service on weekdays, and any time on weekends and public holidays. In some areas you will also need a smart card from the regional council to access free off-peak travel. Read more about travelling free with a SuperGold card.(external link)(external link)(external link)  

Activities

• If you're looking for things to do with whānau and friends in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), the Our Auckland(external link)(external link)(external link) site lists coming events – some free, some involving a cost.
• This Money Hub site(external link)(external link)(external link) provides information about free things to do in Auckland.
• Auckland for kids(external link)(external link)(external link) advertises free things to do if you have tamariki.