3. Question No. 3—FinanceGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Last week Stats NZ released its latest merchandise trade data for July showing the continued strength of New Zealand's exports. Goods exports rose by $1.3 billion to $60.2 billion in the July year up 2 percent on 2019. The increase was led by dairy up 10.9 percent; meat up 9.4 percent; and wine up 6.4 percent. This growth occurred across various markets as well with exports to China up 6.8 percent the US up 6.1 percent and Japan up 2.2 percent. As imports fell to $60.3 billion the annual trade deficit of $115 million was the smallest since the October 2014 year. This impressive data demonstrates the ongoing strength of our exporters despite the global impacts of COVID-19 and this is helping to drive our economic recovery. Their success is helping to provide jobs and help the country grow out of the COVID crisis.Greg O'Connor: What reports has he seen on the performance of small businesses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yesterday Xero released its latest Small Business Insights for July showing further signs of recovery across much of the small business sector. Although overall small business revenue was down slightly on July 2019 revenue in the manufacturing industry rose 13 percent hospitality 6 percent and retail by 6 percent. Small business employment continued to rise during the month up 0.8 percent to be just 1.7 percent below COVID levels. Small business job numbers recovered 3 percent since their low point in April. This is further data that underlines the benefits for small business of New Zealand quickly getting on top of COVID-19 and opening up the economy more freely. With the latest outbreak in Auckland I would emphasise the point made by Craig Hudson Xero's managing director for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands when he said it remains imperative to our nation's economic recovery that those who can shop locally and pay their bills on time in order to support their local community and [its] business within it. Keeping money circulating in our economy will help to keep more people employed and more shop fronts open for longer."Greg O'Connor: What reports has he seen showing the resilience of the New Zealand economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We're seeing positive signs about how robust the New Zealand economy has been through for example the wage subsidy. The wage subsidy extension began ending on 5 August. Between 5 August and 21 August the majority of wage subsidy extension recipients completed their eight weeks of support. This represented 93643 businesses covering 325426 jobs. On Friday the Ministry of Social Development released the COVID income payment and jobseeker data covering that same period. Between 31 July and 21 August jobseeker recipient numbers rose by 3007 and COVID income relief payment recipients rose by 3096. So with 325426 jobs coming off the wage subsidy between 5 August and 21 August only 6103 went on to Government assistance over that same time. It is a tough time for those people who have lost their jobs but the numbers bear out the importance of the investments that we have made to support households and businesses through the wage subsidy scheme.David Seymour: Is the Minister aware of at least 45 businesses previously affected by City Rail Link developments who are now ineligible for the resurgence subsidy because they were delayed in getting the earlier subsidies by the effects of the City Rail Link on their business and if he is what can he do about it?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In terms of the way that the wage subsidy payments work if you're in receipt of one of them—for example the extension—you can't be in receipt of another one the resurgence at the same time.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was about his awareness of a specific subgroup of businesses. Now he's restated what the rules are; we all know that. It didn't address the question I asked about the specific instance and his awareness of it or what he'd do about it.SPEAKER: Well I think there's a requirement to answer one part of the question. While the member might not be satisfied with the answer to the second part of the question I think it was addressed.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I can't agree that it was addressed. You know at what part did he address it?SPEAKER: I mean as I've indicated it's not for me to indicate satisfaction with the answer either the first part which was not addressed or the second part which was addressed in a slightly roundabout manner. But in my opinion the Minister of Finance did address it.David Seymour: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I just want to make it clear that the member has now twice in a way which is out of order disagreed with me. I hope that he's not going to do it again. It would be an unfortunate end to the Parliament.David Seymour: I would never do that. I just wondered if you might consider granting the Minister an opportunity to further address what he started.SPEAKER: Well the Minister if he wants to take an opportunity is absolutely able to do it and unlike the member he knows how to do it."