New Zealand Rugby has unveiled an emergency grant to its five Super Rugby teams to have them afloat and ready whenever the competition resumes.

On the same day that he confirmed staff cuts across the organisation, NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson announced the distribution of $NZ250,000 ($243,000) each to the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders.

Each NZ Super Rugby team will receive an emergency payment from the national governing body. Credit:Getty

The measures compare favourably with Rugby Australia, which on Tuesday night announced three-quarters of its staff - about 100 people - will be stood down while the remainder were retained on drastically reduced salaries.

An agreement with New Zealand players over pay cuts is expected to be reached next week.