Protect your retail shop with a fog cannon
If you run a small retail business you may be eligible for a $4,000 subsidy to get a fog cannon installed.
Fog cannons can fill a shop with dense fog in seconds, stopping criminals from seeing what’s going on and preventing further damage or theft.
Get support to install fog cannons at your retail shop
Small retail businesses can apply for a subsidy to have fog cannons installed. There are some criteria you need to meet before you can apply for the fog cannon subsidy.
You can apply if you have:
- no more than two outlets, and
- five or fewer paid employees, and
- a street frontage (outlets in indoor malls where security is already provided will not be eligible).
A retail outlet is an outlet whose main purpose is to sell finished goods to the public.
You do not need to have been a victim of a ram raid or aggravated robbery to apply.
If you have been a victim of a ram raid or aggravated robbery since November 2021 you could be eligible for other help from Police’s Retail Crime Prevention Programme. Police recommend that if you are eligible for that programme you get their security measures installed before applying for a fog cannon through this subsidy scheme.
What the $4,000 subsidy covers
The subsidy is only for fog cannons.
- It can’t be used for other crime prevention measures.
- It is for each outlet. So, if you are eligible for the subsidy and have two outlets, you can get the $4,000 subsidy for each outlet.
- You can purchase as many fog cannons as you need, but the maximum subsidy for each outlet is $4,000.
- You and the fog cannon provider negotiate the final price and organise installation.
If you don’t own your business premises, talk to your landlord before applying for the fog cannon subsidy.
You might need their permission to install a fog cannon.
Go through the steps below to check your eligibility before applying.
How to apply
If you are an eligible retailer, complete the application form. It takes about 15 minutes.
To start, you need to log into Business Connect using RealMe. If you do not have a RealMe account, you can create one.
To complete the subsidy application form, you will be asked to supply:
- your name and email
- your business name and address
- a declaration of your eligibility for the subsidy
Apply for fog cannon subsidy(external link) — Business Connect
You will also be asked to provide your New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). Most companies are automatically given an NZBN. Sole traders need to sign up for one.
Find your NZBN(external link) — NZBN
Get an NZBN(external link) — NZBN
If you have two retail outlets and want to apply for the subsidy for both, you will need to fill out two application forms.
Choose a fog cannon that best suits your premises. Our providers have a range of fog cannons available, so research which is best for you before making your choice.
After you apply
Once we receive your application form, you’ll be sent an email saying if you have been approved for the subsidy.
If you are approved, the email will include a voucher code. Keep your voucher code safe.
Your preferred fog cannon provider will need the voucher code to confirm your installation booking. You may be asked by the provider to provide a copy of the email to verify the code.
The subsidy is only available through approved providers and the voucher code should only been given to the provider who will install your fog cannon. You don’t need to give it to multiple providers when seeking quotes.
What to consider when choosing a fog cannon
When choosing a fog cannon, keep in mind these points to help you choose the right one for your situation.
- Check your lease agreement and get your landlord’s permission before proceeding with a fog cannon installation.
- Purchasing a fog cannon with a pendant that you wear in the store will help you escape to a safe place and activate the fog cannon remotely if there is a robbery.
- A remote control allows you to activate (and, ideally, stop) a fog cannon remotely when you are not in the store.
- Ensure the placement of the fog cannon does not interfere with any other security measures, for example the fog cannon does not impair the view of a CCTV camera.
- Integrating a fog cannon with your alarm system means that if the alarm goes off, the fog cannon will also activate.
- Check whether the fog cannon comes with a siren, as this adds another deterrent when activating the fog cannon manually.
- Discuss with your provider what size area the fog cannon is designed for and whether this will adequately cover your store. Larger stores may require more than one fog cannon.
- Check how quickly after activation the fog cannon can fill your outlet. Release times differ across models. The longer one takes to activate, the higher the risk of harm.
- Ask your provider about how long it takes for the fog to dissipate, which areas it will settle in first, and whether it leaves any traces after use.
- Check how many times the fog cannon can be discharged before requiring a refill or service. This will differ across models. If it only discharges once before requiring a refill make sure you have refills in stock. Make sure that you are aware of every time the fog cannon is used or tested, so you know when it is due for a refill.
- Check with your provider about the cost of refilling your fog cannon.
- Fog cannons require regular servicing. Ask your provider what kind of servicing their fog cannon requires and how often, and what service plan they offer. You should also ask what warranty terms they offer (beyond the minimum 1 year requirement).
- Make sure your fog cannon installer provides you and your staff with training on how to activate the fog cannon.
Fog cannon providers
We have set up a register of fog cannon providers.
We are not currently assessing new applications to the fog cannon provider panel.
If you have submitted an application, we will keep your application on hold. If we decide to add more fog cannon providers to the panel, we will assess your application then.
If you want to receive updates, subscribe to the GETS notice.
Fog Cannon Supply and Related Services for the Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme(external link) — GETS
If you have questions about the process, you can email us at FogCannonSuppliers@mbie.govt.nz.
Find a fog cannon provider
If you are an eligible retailer, check the list of providers below. It will be updated regularly.
The subsidy is only available through these approved providers:
| Company name | Service location |
|---|---|
| AB Security Services Janine Cooper Call: 027 426 5161 Email: janine@abappliances.co.nz abappliances.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Action Security & Access Diane Cooke Call: 021 400 122 or 03 929 0186 Email: dianne@actionsecurity.co.nz actionsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Allied Alarms Limited Carl Brickle Call: 03 688 0050 Email: carl@alliedalarms.nz alliedalarms.nz(external link) |
|
| ARC Automation, Security & Electrical Limited Eugene Donovan Call: 07 849 0901 Email: sales@arc.net.nz arc.net.nz(external link) |
|
| B:Online / B:Alarmed Terence Blunt Call: 022 128 1456 Email: Terence@bonlinetech.nz bonlineinternet.nz(external link) |
|
| Bay Security Solutions Limited David Babbage Call: 027 466 8466 Email: david@baysecurity.co.nz baysecurity.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Be Alarmed Gavin McCormick Call: 027 578 1298 Email:gavin@bealarmed.co.nz bealarmed.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Blue Eagle Sam Boon Call: 0800 888 655 Email: sam.boon@blueeagle.co.nz blueeagle.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Codec Security Limited Jamie Mason Call: 021 565 0000 Email: jamie@codecsecurity.co.nz codecsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Dynamic Security Arjen Bloem Call: 021 442 121 Email: arjen@dynamicsecurity.co.nz dynamicsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
|
| FMH Electrix Limited Muawin Hussain Call: 021 065 2448 Email: admin@fmhelectrix.co.nz fmhelectrix.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Focus Digital Security Solution Derek Priest Call: 021 879 665 Email: derek@focusdigital.co.nz focusdigital.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Nelson Alarms and Security Systems Chaz Brooks Call: 03 548 6686 Email: admin@nelsonalarms.co.nz nelsonalarms.co.nz(external link) |
Top of the South Island, including:
|
| Optix Electrical Limited Joshua Carpenter Call: 027 564 9696 Email: Joshua@optixelectrical.co.nz optixelectrical.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Real Electrics Ltd Mark Hacking Call: 0508 47325 Email: info@realelectrics.co.nz realelectrics.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Secom Robert Dennison Call: 021 777 884 Email: Robert.dennison@secom.co.nz secom.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Security Guys Anita Blackburn Call: 027 288 4997 Email: sales@securityguys.co.nz securityguys.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Sterling Security Systems Limited Nigal Thurgood Call: 07 849 9355 or 021 786 680 Email: nigal@sterlingsecurity.co.nz sterlingsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
Nationwide with a focus in the greater Waikato area including:
|
| Sub 5 Private Security Adam Flynn Call: 027 266 5227 Email: adam@sub5.co.nz sub5.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Tailor Made Solutions Gavin O'Hara Call: 027 374 1723 Email: gavin@tailormadesol.com tailormadesol.com(external link) |
|
| Teltrac Communications Limited Jonathon Collie Call: 027 702 9299 Email: sales@teltrac.nz teltrac.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Total Security Ltd Izzy Sanders Call: 09 422 2617 Email: admin@totalsecurity.nz totalsecurity.nz(external link) |
|
| Watchu Security Call: 0800 928 288 Email: admin@watchu.co.nz watchu.co.nz(external link) |
|
Contact us
If you have questions about the subsidy, you can contact us by phone.
Call: 0508 364 226
Email: FogCannoninfo@mbie.govt.nz
Other crime prevention help
New Zealand Police have information about preventing crime at retail outlets.
Retail Crime Prevention Hub(external link) — New Zealand Police
If you are a retailer and have been a victim of a ram raid or aggravated robbery, you might be eligible for other help from Police.
If you are eligible for the Police Retail Crime Prevention Programme, you can’t use this programme to reimburse from any extra costs for fog cannon installation under the Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme.
Victims of ram raids and aggravated robbery(external link) — New Zealand Police