New Zealand plans to rebuild its Antarctic base and spend billions on social benefits as part of a program aimed at lifting the economy out of the coronavirus crisis, AP reported.

The government released an annual budget that showed the economy is in much better shape than predicted after the first strike of the pandemic.

According to the finance ministry, this year the country's economy will grow by 2.9% and up to 4.4% by 2023. This follows a sharp decline and a rapid recovery last year, which ended in a general economic contraction of 1.7%.

The budget plan includes $ 247 million to rebuild the Scott Base in Antarctica, which has been used by scientists since its first construction in 1957.