The Government announcement of a wage subsidy package to help small businesses in and around Kaikoura has been welcomed by local businesses.
The package will assist those companies most seriously disrupted by the Kaikoura earthquakes to retain their staff while the district recovers.
The employment subsidy will be available for businesses in Kaikoura, Cheviot, Waiau, Rotherham, Mt Lyford and Ward who face a dramatic drop in their turnover as a direct result of the earthquakes and the closure of State Highway One.
"We've set aside up to $7.5 million for this subsidy for the eight week period at this stage," Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says. "These towns have been hit very hard by this earthquake and we are determined to help them get through the worst of it."
“Ministers are also working on additional programmes to assist the primary sector, and assist local businesses with their tax payments,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
Destination Kaikōura General Manager Glenn Ormsby said the announcement was welcome news for a community that was dealing with the aftermath of the large quake, which had left the East Coast community rattled and isolated.
Mr Orsmby said the timely announcement followed an immense show of support for the region from across the country.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support in words and actions that have flooded in to help us.
“We are a tight community, and as happens in tragedy, it brings us all together. There has been some incredible solidarity and unity shown across the community and a desire to support each other to get through this and do what we can to get back on our feet.”
He said the priority initially was to ensure people were safe and had access to food shelter and support.
“The next phase is to assess and take a stock-take of our infrastructure and the town and buildings to determine what is in good shape and what needs attention.”
Getting the town open for the business was the next focus, and this was a way that the wider community to continue to show their support Mr Ormsby said.
“Kaikoura is a town of incredible resilience and character and we will come back from this.
“For those wanting to show support for our community please lock us in for a visit over summer when we are again open for business. Come and visit us and allow our community to give back to you with hospitality and the amazing experiences that are on offer here.”