Business Grants

Kia hiwa rā. Puna Pakihi is moving to the Ngāi Tahu grants portal.

As part of this transition:

  • Applications are no longer being accepted via the Puna Pakihi email inbox.
  • The next funding round will open in August through the new portal.
  • Mentoring support remains available during this time.

If you have any pātai, please contact us at: [email protected].

Kā mihi nui for your patience as we navigate this exciting change.


Available Grants

There are three kinds of grants available: Kickstart Grants, Stay up Grants and Growth Grants. The purpose of the grants is to support the long-term sustainability and development of Ngāi Tahu pākihi.


Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a business grant through Puna Pākihi, you need to:

·         Be a registered Ngāi Tahu whānau member

·         Be at least 18 years old

·         Have a business that is already trading and has a New Zealand Business Number

·         Have sent us all reporting and receipts from any previous grants and had these approved

The business must have at least 50% Ngāi Tahu ownership. Charitable trusts and businesses that are not yet trading are not eligible.

We have three grant types available to whānau depending on the length of time trading and business revenue.

Limits

·         Whānau members can apply for one grant every 12 months and can receive a maximum of two of each type of grant (Kickstart, Stay up or Growth).

·         Charitable Trusts

·         Businesses that are not yet trading/operational

 

Examples of what the pūtea can be used for:

·         Business capability development, for example strategic planning

·         Training and upskilling, for example upskilling in a new beauty treatment, procurement training

·         Professional business mentoring or coaching

·         Systems or tools that improve productivity/efficiency, for example software, automation tools

·         Marketing strategy development (does not include the costs of doing the marketing).

·         Digital enablement such as a new booking system

·         Specialty equipment such as a 3D printer, commercial appliances, landscaping tools, automotive diagnostic equipment. 

 

Examples of what the pūtea cannot be used for:

·         Salaries or wages

·         Rent, utilities, or bills

·         Vehicle purchase, repairs or petrol

·         Computers, laptops or mobile devices

·         Raw materials or stock

·         Marketing costs (for example Facebook ads, flyers)

·         Equipment leasing or hire

·         Travel costs – unless directly linked to capability development

·         Personal debt repayments

·         Routine business expenses (such as accounting fees, insurance)

·         Retrospective costs (spending already incurred)

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Supporting Documents Required

  • Robust Business Plan (for Kickstart/Stay Up grants) – download here or Growth Business Plan (for Growth grants) – download here
  • Supporting Market Validation.
  • 12 months forecasted cashflow – download template here
  • 12 months previous year cashflow (if already trading – download template here)
  • Proof of minimum 50% Ngāi Tahu whānau ownership from applicant/s.
  • Proof of Bank account – verified letter from bank or copy of bank statement (screenshots of internet banking or banking app will not be accepted).
  • Proof of GST Registration (if relevant).
  • Photo ID (Passport, driver licence or 18+ card only).

Documentation Required
Grant Type
 Kickstart Stay Up Growth
Application form Y Y Y
Proof of Ngāi Tahu ownership Y Y Y
Proof of verified bank account Y Y Y
Photo ID Y Y Y
Robust business plan Y Y  
Growth business plan     Y
 12 months forecasted cashflow Y Y Y
12 months previous cashflow   Y Y
Market validation evidence Y Y Y
Proof of GST Registration     Y

Ready to Apply?

Send us all the relevant documentation.

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