A multi-million support package from the government is not enough, business advocates affected by Cyclone Gabrielle say.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Finance Minister Grant Robertson yesterday announced a $50 million support package to provide immediate relief for businesses hit by the cyclone.
Trust Tai Rawhiti (economic development agency) chief executive Gavin Murphy says it has been hard without communications and Stralink, stood up yesterday, allows businesses to do things like payroll and find out about suppliers.
"These businesses are hurting, right now many of them can't trade because they can't use water.
"My view is that the wage subsidy mechanism, which is a tried and tested one, could be put back in place very quickly and could be essential."
Napier City Business Incorporated general manager Pip Thompson agrees and says the wage subsidy needs to be put in place with some urgency.
"A large percentage of businesses in Napier CBD are locally owned and operated and they don't have the fat in the system like the big players have so without a doubt, that needs to be injected back in our regions."
Calls are growing for the government to reinstate the wage subsidy system immediately.
Trust Tai Rawhiti (economic development agency) chief executive Gavin Murphy told Morning Report it had been hard without communications and Star Link had been stood up yesterday to allow businesses to do things like payroll and find out about suppliers.
"These businesses are hurting, right now many of them can't trade because they can't use water.
"My view is that the wage subsidy mechanism, which is a tried and tested one, could be put back in place very quickly and could be essential."
Napier City Business general manager Pip Thompson agreed and said the wage subsidy needed to be put in place with some urgency.
"A large percentage of businesses in Napier CBD are locally owned and operated and they don't have the fat in the system like the big players have so without a doubt, that needs to be injected back in our regions."
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