Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Today, the Government announced an extension to the Maintaining International Air Connectivity (MIAC) Scheme, providing support to the aviation sector through to March 2023 in order to maintain international connections and support New Zealand's economic recovery. In the early phase of the pandemic, the Government moved swiftly to keep freight volumes as close as possible to pre – COVID-19 levels as passenger numbers dropped dramatically and, in doing so, helped to support our economy by maintaining critical links with overseas markets for exports. This one-year extension provides a pathway for airlines to exit the scheme as passenger numbers return to normal, which is expected over the coming months. As New Zealand reconnects with the world, we are keeping up momentum to ensure the airlines maintain these routes and, in doing so, we are bolstering our recovery from COVID-19.