Our manufacturing future could depend on some factories being allowed to open up during the lockdown

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has indicated manufacturing will be a central way of getting out of the covid economic hole.

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Brett O'Riley says there's great potential, but the lockdown is becoming a hurdle.

He says there are export orders waiting to be filled, but factories are closed, so alternative models must be discussed so businesses can keep functioning.

Brett O'Riley says they're meeting with MBIE over the coming days to discuss the steps forward.