The short answer
The New Zealand government rarely lends directly to everyday small businesses. Most support in 2026 is targeted grants and co-funding: R&D grants run by MBIE's Innovation Services, the R&D Tax Incentive, Regional Business Partner capability funding, NZTE support for exporters and Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Development Fund. For general working capital or urgent needs, private finance usually fits better.
Does the government lend money to New Zealand businesses?
Not in the way most business owners hope. There’s no general government business loan you can apply for to cover wages, stock or a tax bill.
The COVID-era Small Business Cashflow Scheme run by Inland Revenue is closed to new applications, and IRD is now collecting those loans as their five-year terms end. The government’s direct lending today is narrow and project-based, like the Regional Infrastructure Fund. What does exist is a set of targeted grants, co-funding programmes and advisory services, each built for a specific kind of business or project.
The landscape has also shifted. Callaghan Innovation has been disestablished, with its grants moved to MBIE, and MPI’s main primary-sector fund has a new name. This guide covers what we’ve confirmed is available in 2026, who it suits and when private finance is the better tool.
What government grants are available for NZ businesses in 2026?
| Programme | Who runs it | What it offers | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| New to R&D Grant | Innovation Services, MBIE | One-off grant for a first R&D project | Businesses starting out in R&D |
| R&D Experience and R&D Career Grants | Innovation Services, MBIE | Help to employ students and graduates in R&D | Businesses building R&D teams |
| R&D Tax Incentive | Inland Revenue with MBIE | 15% tax credit on eligible R&D spend | Businesses doing qualifying R&D |
| Management Capability Fund | Regional Business Partner Network | Co-funds approved management training | SMEs under 50 FTEs with an NZBN |
| International Growth Fund | NZTE | Co-investment for international expansion | NZTE Focus customers, by invitation |
| Primary Sector Growth Fund | MPI | Co-investment in food and fibre innovation | Primary sector businesses and groups |
| Regional Infrastructure Fund | Kānoa, MBIE | Loans and equity for regional infrastructure | Infrastructure projects, not working capital |
| Flexi-wage for self-employment | Work and Income | Subsidy to start a viable business | People out of work starting a business |
| Māori Development Fund | Te Puni Kōkiri | Co-investment in Māori economic development | Iwi and Māori entities |
Innovation Services (the old Callaghan grants)
Callaghan Innovation has been wound down. Its business grants now sit with Innovation Services at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). They include the New to R&D Grant, which helps businesses fund their first R&D project, the R&D Experience Grant, the R&D Career Grant, and startup and founder support. Some rounds open and close through the year, so check the current status before you plan around one.
R&D Tax Incentive
The R&D Tax Incentive gives a 15% tax credit on eligible research and development spending, claimed through the tax system. It rewards R&D you’ve already done rather than funding it up front, so you’ll still need to finance the work in the meantime.
Regional Business Partner Network
The Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network has growth advisors in regions across New Zealand. After a discovery session, eligible businesses can get Management Capability Fund support covering up to half the cost of approved management training, up to $5,000 a year. To qualify you generally need fewer than 50 full-time equivalent staff, an NZBN, and to be privately owned and trading commercially in New Zealand. RBP advisors can also point you to other programmes.
NZTE for exporters
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise supports exporters with advice, market connections and capital-raising guidance. Its International Growth Fund is a limited, contestable co-investment fund available by invitation to NZTE Focus customers. It’s been scaled back from its pandemic-era size, so it suits established, high-growth exporters rather than businesses just starting to export.
Primary Sector Growth Fund
In May 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries replaced Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures with the Primary Sector Growth Fund. It co-invests in projects across the food and fibre value chain, such as new high-value products or turning by-products into something valuable. Expect an expression of interest, a full application and a co-funding contribution from you.
Regional Infrastructure Fund
Managed by Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, the Regional Infrastructure Fund provides loans and equity for regional infrastructure that lifts growth and resilience. It funds capital projects, not general working capital, so it won’t help with a cash flow gap or tax bill.
Starting out: Work and Income support
If you’re out of work and starting a business, Work and Income’s Flexi-wage for self-employment can subsidise you through the early stages of a viable business, and the Business Training and Advice Grant can pay for business training and planning help. Both have strict eligibility rules and require a business plan.
Startup and venture capital
New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) runs the Aspire NZ Seed Fund and the Elevate NZ Venture Fund. Elevate invests through private venture capital funds rather than directly. These are equity investments for high-growth tech startups, not loans for typical small businesses.
What funding is available for Māori businesses?
Māori business owners have some dedicated options on top of the general programmes.
- Māori Development Fund (Te Puni Kōkiri). Co-invests in Māori economic development: lifting the productivity of iwi and Māori assets, growing exports, and building community resilience. Applicants must be a single legal entity such as a company, trust or Māori incorporation, and larger investments need cash co-funding. Proposals are accepted through regional offices rather than fixed rounds.
- Pakihi Māori (Te Puni Kōkiri). The Māori Enterprise team provides advice, information and brokered connections to help Māori start and grow businesses.
- Poutama Trust. Offers advisory support, investment and a free innovation support service for Māori businesses.
- He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund (MBIE). Backs Māori-led science and innovation with commercial outcomes.
- Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI). Lends to Māori women and their whānau who want to start or grow a business. Expect to provide a business plan and security, and to show a mainstream lender has declined you.
Are there government loans or grants for women in business?
There isn’t a dedicated central-government business loan for women in New Zealand. Women-owned businesses use the same grants and programmes listed above, and the Regional Business Partner Network is a good first stop for advice and referrals in your region.
MWDI is the main specialist lender for Māori women in business. Beyond that, the most useful thing to know is that private lenders don’t care who owns the business. They care about security, trading and the plan to repay.
What are the catches with government funding?
Grants are valuable, but they come with strings that matter for cash flow:
- Narrow eligibility. Most target R&D, exporting, the primary sector or Māori economic development. Few cover general trading costs.
- Co-funding. Many require you to put in a share in cash. That money has to come from somewhere.
- Reimbursement. Some pay out after you’ve spent the money, leaving you to fund the gap.
- Time. Expressions of interest, assessments and contracting can take weeks or months.
- Rounds. Some funds open and close, so the timing may not suit you.
- Reporting. Expect milestones and reports, which take time to manage.
When does private finance make more sense?
Government programmes and private finance aren’t rivals. They do different jobs. Private finance is usually the better fit when:
- You need money this week, not this quarter. Next-day funding is possible with private lenders in many cases.
- The purpose is everyday business. Wages, stock, equipment or a cash flow gap rarely qualify for grants. Working capital loans do.
- You owe IRD. No grant pays tax arrears. An IRD debt loan can clear the debt and stop penalties building.
- You need to fund your share of a grant. A short loan can cover the co-funding or bridge the gap until reimbursement lands.
- You’re starting up and don’t qualify. Startup business loans backed by property equity are often the realistic route.
Example: a Rotorua producer with a grant gap
Picture a Rotorua natural skincare business that’s been approved for co-funding on a product development project. The funding reimburses costs after each milestone, and the owner has to pay contractors and buy equipment first. She takes a second mortgage for business purposes over her home to fund the first milestone, then repays it as reimbursements arrive. Illustrative only, but a very common pattern.
How do you find the right funding for your business?
- Search the official tools. Business.govt.nz has a Funding Explorer that filters government funding by your needs.
- Talk to your Regional Business Partner. A discovery session is free and can unlock capability funding and referrals.
- Be honest about timing. If you need money within weeks, plan for private finance even if you also apply for a grant.
- Line up your share. Know how you’ll fund co-investment or reimbursement gaps before you apply.
- Get matched. For the private side, LoansOne arranges unsecured business loans from $20,000 to $500,000 and 1st and 2nd mortgages for business purposes from $20,000 to $500,000. Our small business loans page covers the options.
For the full borrowing process, see how to get a business loan in NZ.
Next step
Government grants suit planned projects. When you need funds fast, for any business purpose, private finance fills the gap. Apply in about 30 seconds, free and with no mark on your credit file, and an expert will review your situation and match you to the right lender. Or call 09-888 5252.
