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.
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.
If you filled out an expression of interest form in December 2022 or January 2023, you still need to complete the application form.
Fog cannon providers
We have set up a register of fog cannon providers.
If you are a fog cannon provider, you can tell us you are interested in being on the register by completing the ‘invitation to register’ published on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS).
If you meet the criteria, we will contact you about joining the list of providers.
You can tell us you are interested at any time – there is no deadline to join the register while the scheme is in operation.
Invitation to register and information page(external link) — GETS
You will need to register as a supplier on GETS.
Register as a supplier(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 |
|---|---|
| Action Security & Access Diane Cooke Call: 021400122 or 039290186 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) |
|
| B:Online / B:Alarmed Terence Blunt Call: 0221281456 Email: Terence@bonlinetech.nz bonlineinternet.nz(external link) |
|
| Blue Eagle Sam Boon Call: 0800 888 655 Email: sam.boon@blueeagle.co.nz goblueeagle.com(external link) |
|
| Dynamic Security Arjen Bloem Call: 021 442 121 Email: arjen@dynamicsecurity.co.nz dynamicsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Optic Security Group Mike Nugent Call: 021 286 0814 Email: mike.nugent@opticsecuritygroup.com opticsecuritygroup.com(external link) |
|
| Optix Electrical Limited Joshua Carpenter Call: 0275649696 Email: Joshua@optixelectrical.co.nz optixelectrical.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Sterling Security Systems Limited Nigal Thurgood Call: 078499355 or 021786680 Email: nigal@sterlingsecurity.co.nz sterlingsecurity.co.nz(external link) |
Nationwide with a focus in the greater Waikato area including:
|
| Teltrac Communications Limited Jonathon Collie Call: 0277029299 Email: sales@teltrac.nz teltrac.co.nz(external link) |
|
| Watchu Security Call: 0800 928 288 Email: admin@watchu.co.nz watchu.co.nz(external link) |
|
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.
- If you want to be able to activate the fog cannon from anywhere in the store, consider getting one that can be activated by a button on a pendant that you wear inside the store.
- A remote control allows you to activate (and, ideally, stop) a fog cannon remotely when you are not in the store.
- The more sophisticated the fog cannon is, the more expensive it could be.
- Integrating a fog cannon with your alarm system means that if the alarm goes off, the fog cannon will also activate.
- Check with your provider how much electricity their fog cannon consumes in both standby mode and when in use.
- 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 the fog cannon can fill your outlet. Release times differ across models.
- 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. 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.
- 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).
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