Auckland businesses on the brink of closing due to the second lockdown say they're devastated they won't be able to open their doors this weekend.
It comes after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the city's alert level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 11:59pm on Sunday.
Nicky Partridge, owner of Street Organics in Auckland's Takapuna, says she was anticipating the Government's decision to extend lockdown.
"We will do what we've got to do, we don't have any choice. So we will continue to open just for takeaways, which is really just a dribble of revenue for us."
She says she'll apply for the wage subsidy extension to pay her 18 staff members, but hasn't ruled out using her retirement savings to keep the cafe going under level 2.
"We're just trying to keep our business afloat."
Auckland retailers also can't wait to open their doors under level 2.
Scott Donovan, owner of clothing store Life For Men, has been selling stock through social media while his shop was shut.
"I've tried to be very proactive, just take it by the balls basically, because I've got nothing to lose, but everything to lose," he says.
He's already had to write off almost $80,000 worth of stock, so news of an extended level 3 wasn't welcome for him.
"I think it's devastating not only for businesses, but also just for the average person."
ASB economists estimate the alert levels New Zealand is currently in is costing the economy $440 million every week, and Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett says businesses are wearing that cost.
He has asked the Government to give business owners cash to help them get by.
"Unfortunately the Government came back and said their partner NZ First wouldn't say yes to that," he says.
Data shows the last lockdown wiped 15 percent off New Zealand's total spending in the June quarter compared with last year, which was the largest fall on record.
It means $3.6 billion that would've usually been spent on clothing, fuel, food and other items wasn't.
Cafes and restaurants were down 42 percent on spending compared to last year - $1.2 billion written off.
