The New Zealand Maori Council is calling for a number of measures to be introduced to help small businesses get back up and running after the lockdown ends in two weeks.
“We must push back against the storm facing our small business and we must move from surviving to thriving,” said Matthew Tukaki, executive director of the NZ Maori Council.
“[T]his means focusing on policies that are easily implementable and focus on sustaining cashflow, freeing up working capital, supporting payroll and wage relief as well as a suite of measures to further grow small business export growth.”
The measures include:
- an instant asset write-off scheme for businesses with a turnover up to $100 million to invest in equipment, technology and other items up to $100,000. Small businesses should also be able to purchase tools and equipment on behalf of workers and still take advantage of the instant asset write-off.
- an additional wage subsidy program equal to 50 per cent of the payroll for the first four weeks of each employee being returned to work, assisting sole traders and small businesses with their cashflow until invoice revenue is restored.
- an accommodation supplement for small businesses in certain sectors, such as retail, trades and services, with a turnover of up to $20 million, to cover 25-35 per cent of their weekly rental costs for the first two months post-lockdown. The business could receive a maximum of $750 per week.
The Maori Council is also calling for the establishment of a National Ombudsman for Small Business, additional access to research and development concessions, export support and an online technology package.
While these measures are targeted at Maori-owned businesses, Tukaki said they apply to all small and medium-sized businesses across Aotearoa.
