Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government's efforts to secure the recovery amid the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been reflected in confidence among small businesses. Today, Xero released its Small Business Insights data for May, showing growth in both sales and jobs figures for small businesses. For the fourth successive month, the index remained above 100, at 109 points, signalling stronger than average small business activity. Sales across New Zealand grew 6.2 percent in May, led by retail trade, construction, and hospitality. Jobs growth rose 4.7 percent, with the strongest regional growth in Northland, followed by Waikato, Hawke's Bay, and Canterbury. Xero said the data showed small-business owners around New Zealand feel optimistic, but it also shows that firms are facing many challenges as we work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic.