Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): During the lockdown period, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) have continued to help very large numbers of New Zealanders. To give a sense of this, in the week to 5 April, MSD responded to more than 90,000 contact centre calls, and our case managers carried out almost 80,000 phone-based appointments and calls. In response to this demand and in anticipation of more New Zealanders needing MSD's support, since 18 March MSD has hired 279 new service delivery staff. We have also streamlined services to ensure that more can be done by phone and online, like the approvals of benefit applications. Where possible, we have worked across departments like the IRD and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to establish initiatives like the wage subsidy and leave payment scheme. MSD has worked quickly to be responsive in an environment that has changed rapidly over the past months. I will be monitoring closely as things continue to change, to ensure MSD is well supported to respond to New Zealanders during this unprecedented time.