# Small business grants in NZ

> Most New Zealand government grants for small businesses pay part of the cost of training, advice or research and development rather than handing over cash. Here's what's available, who qualifies and what the $5,000 grants are.

By Jason Dark, last checked 2026-11-08. Part of [Loans](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/loans) on Skipper.

## The short version

- Most government grants for small businesses in New Zealand help cover part of a cost, like training or R&D. You pay the rest.
- The Regional Business Partner Network can cover up to 50% of management training costs, up to $5,000 a year.
- The New to R&D Grant covers 40% of eligible R&D costs, up to $400,000, through Innovation Services at MBIE.
- If you're on a benefit and want to start a business, Work and Income may help with Flexi-wage for self-employment and a grant of up to $5,000 for training and advice.

## Are there grants for small businesses in NZ?

Yes, but most government grants for small businesses in New Zealand only pay part of a specific cost, not a lump sum to spend freely. The main ones pay for management training or research and development, or help people on a benefit start a business. Usually, you pay at least half the cost yourself.

## Management training: up to $5,000 a year

The Regional Business Partner Network has growth advisors throughout New Zealand who help businesses identify what might be holding them back. If they find a gap in your management skills, the Management Capability Development Fund can cover up to 50% of the cost of approved training, up to $5,000 a year excluding GST.

To qualify, your business needs to:

- have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees
- have an NZBN
- be trading in New Zealand
- be privately owned, or a Māori trust or incorporation
- be registered for GST, if the training is one-to-one.

You sign up online with the Regional Business Partner Network, and a local growth advisor will set up a discovery session with you. The subsidy only covers training from providers registered with the network, in areas like business planning, finance, marketing, exporting and governance.

## Research and development grants

Callaghan Innovation's grants are now managed by Innovation Services, which is run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The **New to R&D Grant** pays for 40% of your first structured R&D project, up to $400,000 on total project costs of up to $1 million, for up to 2 years. You cover the other 60%. The grant is for businesses that have spent less than $150,000 on R&D and received less than $5,000 in government R&D funding in the last 3 years. Innovation Services asks you to contact them before you apply.

The **R&D Tax Incentive** gives you a tax credit of 15% of eligible R&D spending. Innovation Services also offers **R&D Career Grants**, which pay up to 6 months' salary for a new master's or PhD graduate (up to $30,000 or $35,000), and **R&D Experience Grants** for summer interns.

## Grants for starting a business

Work and Income's **Flexi-wage for self-employment** helps people start a business if they're out of work and finding it hard to get a job. You need to be 18 or older and not eligible for NZ Super, have a business plan and show your business can succeed. An independent assessor checks your plan before Work and Income approves it, and approved businesses claim the subsidy every 4 weeks.

Work and Income also has a **Business Training and Advice Grant** of up to $5,000 to help you write a business plan or get training and advice. There's also a self-employment start-up payment for essential costs like your first stock. To book an appointment, call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

## Grants for primary industries and Māori businesses

The Ministry for Primary Industries offers grants and co-investment for primary sector businesses, including food and beverage makers, for projects on exports, sustainability, productivity or biosecurity. Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Development Fund supports iwi and Māori businesses and organisations.

## Finding and applying for grants

business.govt.nz's Funding Explorer lists government funding options in one place. It also warns about grant scams, so make sure you know who you're dealing with before you pay anyone to help you apply.

## When a grant won't cover it

Grants rarely pay for stock, equipment or day-to-day running costs. If you need money for these, a business loan is usually the way to go. The [eligibility checker](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/tools/lender-match) shows how many lenders publish criteria your business meets, and the [start-up loans guide](https://smallbusinessloan.co.nz/loans/start-up-loans) explains the options for new businesses.

## Common questions

### What is the $5,000 small business grant in NZ?

There are two. The Regional Business Partner Network's Management Capability Development Fund pays up to half of approved management training costs, up to $5,000 a year excluding GST. Work and Income's Business Training and Advice Grant gives up to $5,000 to help people starting a business write a business plan or get training and advice.

### Can I get a government grant to start a business?

Only in limited cases. Work and Income's Flexi-wage for self-employment helps people who are out of work and struggling to find a job to start a business, once their business plan has been independently assessed. Most other government grants are for businesses that are already trading.

### What replaced Callaghan Innovation grants?

Callaghan Innovation's grants and startup support are now managed by Innovation Services, which is run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. These include the New to R&D Grant, R&D Career and Experience Grants and the R&D Tax Incentive.

## Sources

- [business.govt.nz: Government grants and help for your business](https://www.business.govt.nz/tax-and-money/getting-government-grants/government-grants-and-help-for-your-business)
- [business.govt.nz: Management Capability Fund for businesses](https://www.business.govt.nz/strategy-and-performance/regional-business-partner-network/management-capability-fund-for-businesses)
- [business.govt.nz: New to R&D Grant](https://www.business.govt.nz/tax-and-money/innovation-funding/new-to-r-and-d-grant)
- [business.govt.nz: Get support with innovation](https://www.business.govt.nz/news/get-support-with-innovation)
- [Work and Income: Flexi-wage for self-employment](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/flexi-wage-self-employment.html)