New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her government ministers will take 20 per cent pay cuts because of the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made in light of the economic challenges New Zealanders were expected to face in the coming months. The pay cut will be in effect for six months, and applies to government ministers and chief executives of government organisations.
It won't apply to any frontline staff like doctors or nurses. Opposition Leader Simon Bridges has also volunteered to join them in taking the cut. Ms Ardern said it was a symbolic gesture, and won't have much effect on the country's overall financial position. Despite having fewer COVID-19 cases than many other countries, New Zealand enforced a one-month lockdown in a bid to completely eliminate the disease from the country. New Zealand's offices, schools and non-essential services have been closed for the last three weeks, with the country experiencing one of the strictest lockdowns globally.