Dot Loves Data government director Justin Lester says the wage subsidy was essential in keeping businesses afloat. Central Auckland retailers are hanging by a thread as new data shows spending in the CBD has collapsed almost completely under the alert level 3 lockdown. Since the level 3 and level 2 restrictions came into effect earlier this month, national spending fell 18 per cent compared to the same time last year. Auckland’s significant decline in spending was offset by increased spending in the regions compared to a year earlier. White said while the wage subsidy extension had helped business owners, it did not cover other fixed costs.

Source: Stuff August 26, 2020 00:00 UTC