Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
The cash was paid out to 2535 firms in less than two days.
The 8003 applications that were lodged requested a total of $24 million.
The scheme intends to boost businesses that suffer when there is an increase in alert levels.
It provides each eligible business $1500, plus $400 per staff member for up to a total of 50 full-time employees.
Blake Loveridge, owner and executive chef of the Food Truck Garage in Auckland, has just applied for the scheme said it would provide some much needed support.
"The scheme offers us some immediate cash back in the bank after a tough couple of weeks. Level 3, obviously there's not much you can do in hospitality when everyone's at home," he said.