GOVERNMENT BUSINESS FUNDING
Government has funding available to help New Zealand businesses grow and innovate. Currently the key funding programmes are:
*Agricultural and primary sector grants
Grants are available to the primary sector, including Agriculture, Agritech, Horticulture, Viticulture, Aquaculture and the Forestry sector. Funding is available from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) as well as other agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
These are summarised below.
The Sustainable Farming Fund supports projects that will contribute to improving the financial and environmental performance of the land-based productive sectors. The Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) aims to help solve problems and overcome barriers to economic, social and environmental viability, by bringing together communities of interest. Projects can include:
*Applied research and development
*Demonstration projects
*Information, knowledge and technology transfer
*Technical investigations supporting improved use and allocation of water
*Identifying barriers to, and options for, improved land use and management
*Improving decision support
Adding value and exploring market opportunities
The Ministry of Primary Industries Sustainable Farming Fund project advisors are available in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch to help answer questions about your application.
Forestry Funding
Environment and natural resources
The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Programme aims to increase protection of highly erodable land. It does this by focusing on building the technical capacity of regional councils and providing targeted funding for catchment initiatives. This is a “contestable fund to provide targeted support for regional council initiatives that promote sustainable land management practices”.
DairyNZ looks to invest a portion of levy funds into developing innovation to provide benefit to all dairy farmers.
Dairy NZ advise “Expressions of Interest are accepted at any time and the review process takes about eight weeks. Applications need to clearly show what the innovation is, the expected impact on-farm, what outcomes will be met, alignment with industry needs and delivery to the next stage”.
The Primary Growth Partnership fund invests in initiatives that deliver significant economic growth and sustainability across the primary sector from producer to consumer. Investments can cover the whole value chain. The minimum amount that the Primary Growth Partnership will co-invest, and which must be matched by industry co-investors, is $500,000 over the lifetime of the co-investment programme. Industries supported include:
*Pastoral (including wool) and arable production;
*Horticulture;
*Seafood (including aquaculture);
*Forestry and wood products; and
*Food processing (including nutriceuticals and bioactives).
*Wool Industry Research Limited (WIRL) fund both Industry Good and Company Specific research.
Industry Good investments will normally be pursued through a Request for Proposals process conducted with both New Zealand based, and international research providers well in advance of the investment period.
Companies with an interest in NZ wool can apply to WIRL for funding to support a “Company Specific” research application at any time. The WIRL Board prefer to support commercially driven proposals that will add value to, and diversify the NZ wool industry. More information
The New Zealand Winegrowers research programme works with a range of research partners to “generate rigorous, factually-based understanding of the many factors contributing to the economic production of high quality grapes and wine”. New Zealand Winegrowers can accept proposals anytime throughout the year. More information
Energy grants for energy efficiency, energy audits.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have grants available to business to improve energy conservation. Making a financial investment in energy efficiency will deliver returns. They may be able to help you with the initial investment through grants and loans:
*Industrial energy audit grants
*Project grants
*Crown loans for energy efficiency projects in the public sector
*Feasibility study grants
*Commercial building project grants
*Commercial building energy management grants
*R&D grants
Click here for more information
Fund Finder tells you what funding is available in the science and innovation ecosystem, for research or building your business.
See website links for business development and assistance options:
*Regional Business Partners – Capability Development
*Project funding contributes to the costs of technically challenging R&D projects and is available to companies at all stages of growth. Initial funding can be provided to prove the feasibility of technically developing a product. Further funding can be provided to complete the R&D. Investments will be made in a range of companies, from early-stage to mature companies across all sectors.
Funding for R&D projects is only one solution to help businesses grow. Whether you are a small start-up or a large established exporter, they can tailor a package to help you develop your business and get your products to market faster.