The best economic response is a strong health response

That's the message from the Finance Minister, as New Zealand prepares to hunker down into lockdown.

But to soften the blow - the wage subsidy will be reinstated from Friday if the country's still at Level Four.

Any business can apply, if they anticipate they will suffer a 40 per cent loss of revenue.

Grant Robertson says the wage subsidy rate has been increased, to reflect increases in wage cost since the scheme starter in March 2020.

He says employers can receive 600-dollars a week per full-time worker and 359-dollars per part time worker - paid in a two-week lump sum.