Get the support you need
Most government support takes the form of advice, and can include:
- information, programmes and tools to help you grow
- mentoring and introducing you to networks
- helping you develop new products and services
- subsidies and grants.
At first, you might not realise what will make the most difference to your business. Getting extra support can help.
If you specifically need money, you could apply for a grant. A grant is money given for a specific purpose that you don’t have to pay back. But many of these are co-funded – you’ll be expected to put in your own money too. If that's not an option, you could consider an investment or a loan.
Understand your options and where to start
What’s available to you depends on what type of industry you’re in and what stage your business is at. A good first step is usually to contact your regional business partner or local chamber of commerce to discuss what your business is eligible for. You can only apply for some grants and programmes once you’ve done this.
When applying, you usually need to show:
- your business plan
- your financial track record
- a strong business case for the money or support you want
- market research and validation if you’re a new business.
Before you apply, be strategic and weigh up the benefits of applying against the effort required. Applying takes time and can involve fees or other costs.
Support for new and established businesses
New businesses often need help figuring out what to do, where to go, and what to consider. Established businesses usually understand the basics and have experience to build on – but they may still benefit from support.
Here’s what’s available, free or at low cost:
- If you’re starting a new business or exploring a business idea, you can get help or mentoring from Business Mentors New Zealand.
- If your business is at any stage including growth, you can turn to the Regional Business Partner Network for assistance.
- If you’re a Māori business owner, support is available through Te Puni Kōkiri.
- If you’re part of a Māori collective, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment can help.
- If your business operates in regional New Zealand, you may apply for funding via the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
- If you need support for research and development (R&D) initiatives or to take innovations to market, you can apply for grants through MBIE’s Innovation Services.
- If your business works in the primary sector or uses primary industry materials, the Ministry for Primary Industries offers grants.
You may also be eligible for grants or funding from Work and Income if you’re receiving benefits and want to start a business or become self-employed.
Culture meets Innovation: Deep Dive Division
Transcript
[Visual: Tua Karalus, a Pasifika man with short dark hair and a light beard, wearing a black t-shirt with the 'Deep Dive Division' logo, sits in a modern office space with wooden accents. He faces the camera, speaking warmly, and gestures with his hands to emphasize points. A large television screen in the background displays underwater robotic footage.]
[Audio: Gentle, uplifting acoustic background music plays softly throughout.]
Talofa lava. My name is Tua Karalus, managing director and founder of Deep Dive Division.
[Visual: Cuts to footage of a Deep Dive Division team member in a wetsuit, preparing to jump off a boat into blue water for a commercial dive.]
We focus on working around, on, but especially below the water - commercial diving, scientific diving, and also robotics.
[Visual: Cut to a close-up of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) underwater, with lights illuminating the seabed.]
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office interview setting. His name, Tua Karalus, and the brand Deep Dive Division appear along the bottom of the screen.]
But the main thing is the cultural aspect of our company, embracing Mātauranga Māori and also Pasifika values.
Innovation is very important to Deep Dive Division. In fact, it's key to us because we're about creating a symbiotic relationship between the natural environment and humans.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office, looking thoughtful, occasionally smiling.]
The challenge in getting started in research and development is really bringing all your networks together. Yeah, that can be difficult at times.
We were connected to a navigator through the Regional Business Partner Network.
The navigator was like a trusted adviser who really worked through the whole process of our application. Got us to really nail down what it is that we knew about our own business.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office interview seat.]
So, we've stress-tested to see if we could support ourselves throughout the research and development phase.
[Visual: Cuts to a panning shot across the water with the words if you’re interested in innovation, your local Regional Business Partner is ready to help you on your journey. It then pans to a diver exiting the water with the assistance of a team member.]
The Research and Development Tax Incentive totally is on our radar. It's something that we're looking into very closely.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua, looking directly at the camera.]
I think that all businesses that are in research and development do take the time to look in and take up that information.
Working with other Māori and Pasifika businesses and being part of that network is so special.
You know, we're innovators, we're academics, we're out in the environment, and we love it.
[Visual: Cut back to Tua in the office.]
So, I encourage all Māori and Pasifika businesses to reach out to find out more. Because it's all about the network, and you'll be very surprised what you find.
[Visual: Close up shot of Tua smiling and gesturing.]
It's about relationships. It's about partnerships. It's about seeing deep into the future and not just being transactional at all.
[Visual: A picture of New Zealand floats down on the screen, pointing out the different regional partners, and recommending getting in touch. Black background with white text logo: ‘Regional Business Partner Network’ appears centrally.]
[Audio: Music swells slightly.]
[Visual: Black background with New Zealand Government Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment logos displayed in white.]
[Audio: Music fades out.].