The government has announced a $3 billion infrastructure fund that will help create more than 20,000 jobs post COVID-19.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones today outlined how $3b in the COVID Response and Recovery Fund will be allocated across the regions.

They say the investment package includes about $210 million for climate resilience and flood protection projects, $155m for transformative energy projects, about $180m for large-scale construction projects and $50m for enhanced regional digital connectivity.

"This is about creating jobs as we recover and rebuild from the recession caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Because we went hard and early with our health response, we've been able to open up the economy quicker than other countries and get a head start on our recovery," says Finance Minister Grant Robertson.

He says the overall package is expected to deliver more than 20,000 jobs across New Zealand and unlock investment with a project value of more than $5b.

"Building infrastructure is a key component of our economic recovery plan. It creates jobs and provides much-needed economic stimulus."

Earlier this year, ministers established the Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) to work with local councils and businesses to identify a pipeline of projects to support the economy during the COVID-19 rebuild.

The IRG received a total of 1924 submissions across approximately 40 sectors of the economy.

Cabinet approved 150 of those projects worth $2.6 billion.

"We have focused on key sectors that are central to the government's economic plan - housing and urban development, climate resilience, energy and community development," says Robertson.

"This package will provide Kiwis with confidence that the government is backing them in this challenging economic environment by creating new jobs and opportunities in communities around the country."

How the $3 billion will be spent:

• Housing and urban development: $464m
• Environmental: $460m
• Community and social development: $670m
• Transport (cycleways, walkways, ports and roads): $708m

The projects were in addition to the $12b New Zealand Upgrade Programme and existing Provincial Growth Fund investments.

Shane Jones says the pipeline of projects will create immediate economic activity in the metropolitan centres as well as the regions.

"Both are critical to our economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

"The specific projects we're announcing today are examples of the sort of projects we're supporting - from nationwide investments in flood protection and better digital connectivity to civic facilities that we know form the bedrock of our communities."

More to come...

-RNZ