The government says more than $5 billion has been paid out in economic support since the Delta outbreak began in August.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay have given the latest update on the government's Covid-19 response.
Watch the media conference here:
Robertson said today that $5.3 billion had now been paid out in through the wage subsidy and the Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) since the outbreak began on 17 August.
"We are now into the sixth round of the wage subsidy since August, and as of this morning 993,733 applications have been approved, with $3.9 billion paid out. So far 1,106,686 employees have received the wage sudsidy and 331,153 businesses have been supported with one or more of the wage subsidy payments."
The seventh round of the wage subsidy will open next Friday, along with the first double payment of the RSP.
"I want to recognise that this is a tough time for many businesses and workers, especially those in Auckland, and I want to recognise the sacrifices that have been made."
Further testing is under way Taranaki after Covid-19 was detected in wastewater at Stratford. South Taranaki iwi health provider Ngati Ruanui said it was notified of a strong positive Covid-19 wastewater test result in the town.
As Auckland's DHBs grow steadily closer to reaching 90 percent double vaccinated, Covid-19 modeller Shaun Hendy says the 90 percent target could still mean spending about three quarters of next year in the 'Red' traffic light setting. But he says vaccinating children would help.