Different types of support
Depending on your needs, there are many agencies that can offer you support.
- Networks and mentoring – Some agencies can help connect you with other businesses, gain support and find opportunities to grow your knowledge and business. They can also help you with business advice and provide guidance to assist your business or professional development.
- Support for Māori business owners – Some agencies offer Māori business owners support and growth for their business ventures.
- Grants and funding – Some agencies offer grants and funding schemes to help support your business growth.
Grants and funding
Innovation Services administered by MBIE
Innovation Services offers grants, tax incentives, and startup support to help businesses to drive innovation.
Funding is available for:
- nurturing future talent
- research and development (R&D) initiatives
- getting innovations to market.
The available funding products are:
- R&D Tax Incentive
- New to R&D Grant
- R&D Career Grants
- R&D Experience Grants
- Ārohia Trailblazer Grant.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at businesses who need funding for specific innovation and for R&D initiatives.
How to get it
Explore and apply for the available funds through the Innovation Services website.
Innovation Services administered by MBIE
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ)
Work and Income (WINZ) has two funding schemes specifically for new businesses.
Flexi-wage
The Flexi-wage programme provides advice and some financial support.
You may be able to get Flexi-wage for self-employment if you:
- are on a main benefit – for example Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payment, and
- want to start a business or need help to become self-sufficient in an existing business.
You won't be able to get Flexi-wage for self-employment if you are:
- re-starting a business that you've owned before
- currently bankrupt.
If you qualify for Flexi-wage for self-employment, you could get help with set-up costs and other financial support while you’re getting started in business.
Business Training and Advice Grant
You might also apply for a Business Training and Advice Grant to help cover business advisor costs and training associated with starting your own business.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at people on benefits who want to start a business or become self-employed.
How to get it
Speak to a case manager at Work and Income to discuss how to apply.
Regional Business Partner Network
Management Capability Funding
The Regional Business Partner Network offers co-funded training courses aimed at developing your management capability. But, as this is a co-funding arrangement, your business will need to pay at least half the training costs.
Training is available in these areas:
- business planning
- business systems
- business sustainability
- capital raising
- exporting
- finance
- governance
- intellectual property
- lean manufacturing/business operations
- managing resources
- marketing.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at business owners looking to grow their business.
How to get it
Register with your local Regional Business Partner to discuss your business needs with a Growth Advisor.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) offers grants and co-investment funding to primary industry businesses that want to:
- export
- increase sustainability
- improve productivity
- protect New Zealand from biosecurity risks.
Projects eligible for funding include:
- irrigation scheme upgrades
- sustainable farming initiatives
- research and innovation programmes
- work to maximise the productivity of land in Māori collective ownership.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at all primary sector businesses and those who use primary industry materials to make products – for example, food and beverage manufacturers.
How to get it
Apply via MPI’s online grants portal.
Support for Māori business owners
Te Puni Kōkiri
Te Puni Kōkiri administers the Māori Development Fund which aims to improve productivity of Iwi and Māori assets and co-investment in infrastructure, and also increase Māori export revenues.
The Fund also supports Māori community resilience initiatives that build capability to deliver economic, social and cultural outcomes for Māori. There will be a particular focus on proposals that help build marae resilience, and those that support rangatahi into education, employment, and formal training pathways.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at supporting Iwi and Māori businesses and organisations to achieve better outcomes for Māori.
How to get it
Register online.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
MBIE offer ‘The Māori Innovation Fund’ which seeks to build the skills and knowledge of Māori collectives and trusts. Under the fund’s Commercial advisor scheme, collectives are given co-funding to work with an advisor who can help identify opportunities and support new ventures.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at Māori collectives.
How to get it
Apply in the annual call for proposals.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) offers a programme called ‘Māori Agribusiness Extension’ to improve productivity of land owned by a collective.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at Māori collectives.
How to get it
Contact MPI’s Maori Agribusiness email: maoriagribusiness@mpi.govt.nz
Māori Agribusiness Extension – Ministry for Primary Industries
Networks and mentoring
Regional Business Partner Network
To get advice and information on what help you might be eligible for, register with your local Regional Business Partner.
Your local business advisors can:
- help identify any gaps or opportunities in your business
- give you information and tools to help build your skills and knowledge
- introduce you to business networks and connect you to other professionals.
To be eligible, you must:
- have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees
- have a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
- be operating in New Zealand
- be operating in a commercial environment (this means you’re currently trading)
- be a privately owned business, or a Māori Trust or incorporation under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 or similar organisation managing Māori assets under multiple ownership.
If eligible, you can register online and you will be connected by one of the 14 regional business partners throughout New Zealand, local to you.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at all businesses, including if you are self-employed, at any stage.
How to get it
Register online for free.
Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ)
A mentor is someone you trust, and who you can consult for business advice and guidance to assist your business or professional development.
Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ) is an independent national business mentoring service supporting New Zealand’s small business sector. They are experienced business people with expertise in new ventures. They understand the steps needed to validate a business idea or get a new business off the ground.
Over a 12-month period, volunteer mentors work alongside a person with a new business or idea to:
- offer guidance
- test thinking
- step through a feasibility assessment
- support you to build a robust business plan.
Who it’s aimed at
This is aimed at people with a new business idea or those who want help to start a new business.
How to get it
Register online and pay a one-off registration fee.
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