WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – New Zealand Cricket will cut up to 15% of staff and look to shave NZ$6 million ($3.72 million) in operating costs as part of proposals to cope with “challenging” conditions brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, Chief Executive David White has said.

White told New Zealand media he had informed NZC’s 80 staff yesterday about the planned cuts, which would allow the board to maintain funding levels at provincial and district levels, and avoid shrinking the domestic schedule.

“The cuts are coming from NZC, NZ$6 million, of which NZ$1.5 million is staff.”

New Zealand authorities have begun easing social restrictions in recent weeks with COVID-19 cases slowing to a trickle, and sports have been given the green light to restart domestic competitions.

“What we are experiencing is what I imagine most businesses in New Zealand are experiencing at the moment,” White said.