The 12.1 billion NZ dollar (7.36 billion U.S. dollars) package is worth 4 percent of GDP, a larger plan than that was implemented in response to the Global Financial Crisis and comparatively larger than the relief packages announced to date in Australia, Britain and the United States.
"The government is pulling out all the stops to protect the health of New Zealanders and the health of our economy," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.
She said the best protection for our economy is getting the virus under control, which is why we are investing half a billion dollars in frontline health services to fight the COVID-19.
The stimulus plan will be investing in more health staff, more virus testing, more medicines, face masks, extra intensive care capacity and equipment at hospitals, and more money for GPs (General Practitioners), Ardern said.
"If we can manage the virus, we can mitigate the damage to the economy," she added.
On Sunday New Zealand confirmed two more cases of COVID-19, adding the total confirmed cases to eight.
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