At least 33,000 NZers on benefit since level 4 lockdown began

In the four weeks since the country's been in lockdown, 33,000 more people have ended up on the benefit.

The Ministry of Social Development says the demand is higher than the peak of the global financial crisis - as the number of beneficiaries jumps to 335,000.

And with Treasury predicting unemployment to rise, it's expecting even more people will be needing its help over the coming months.

RNZ social issues reporter Sarah Robson has the story.