Puna Pakihi

Puna Pakihi
Inspiring Ngāi Tahu in Business

Puna Pakahi offers support to Ngāi Tahu who have a business idea or who are in business. We will work with you to grow and develop your business no matter what stage in your business venture you are at.

The Puna Pakahi programme will connect you with a business mentor and has financial support for your business once milestones are achieved. To ensure you are getting the most relevant support click on the current phase you are in below:

• I have an idea for a business – take me too Ideation
• I have been in business for under 12 months – take me to Kick Start
• I have been in business for over 12 months – take me to Stay-Up Support
• I have been in business for over 12 months and have a turnover greater than $60,000 – take me to Growth Grant

Ideation

Get expert support to help you develop your business idea

We want to help you develop your business idea by connecting you with industry experts or business mentors in your relevant field. You will be supported to further develop your ideas and be supported to prepare a business model. Your model will be used to help you to make informed decisions of the next steps in your business journey.

Criteria

• Be registered as Ngāi Tahu
• Be 18 years or older
• Be committed to working with a mentor to complete your business model

If you have attended a Tū Ake event, and you have completed your business model, you will be considered ready to move to Kick Start phase.

Next steps

• Register your business idea in Te Pou Here – Ngāi Tahu business directory
• You will be connected with a relevant mentor or industry expert
• The Puna Pakini team will be in contact regularly to see how you are going
• Once you have finished your business model and we have received a report from your mentor you will be able to move on to applying for the kick-start grant.

Kick-Start Grant

Complete your business plan and receive a $5,000 grant to start your business

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has created the kick-start grant to help you get your business off the ground. Your business mentor will help you establish a foundation for long term success in your business journey. You will be supported to complete your business plan, including financial forecasting.

Register for your kick-start grant by registering your business in Te Pou Here – Ngāi Tahu business directory

Criteria

• Be registered as Ngāi Tahu
• Be 18 years or older
• Be committed to working with a mentor to complete your business plan and financial forecasts.

Next Steps

• Our Puna Pakihi team will then be in touch within five business days to make a time to meet, video call or phone you.
• We will pair you with a mentor (working with a mentor usually takes 6-8 weeks) to complete the following and send to us:
  • Proof of ID
  • A robust business plan
  • Financial Forecast for 12 months
  • Quotes for what you would use the grant for
  • A report from your mentor
• If approved, you will be sent a funding agreement to sign. Please read through the funding agreement thoroughly before beginning with Puna Pakihi, take notice of section 3.1.
• You will then need to sign and initial each page of your funding agreement (including your business plan, financials and quotes). Return it to us along with a pre-printed bank deposit slip as bank verification for payment.
• Once received we will release $2,500 of the grant into your account
• The remainder of the grant will be paid once we have received your progress report (using one of our templates) as well as the GST receipts incurred to date.
• Once you have received the full grant you will be required to submit a final report (using one of our templates) and receipts at the end of the next financial quarter.

You can join us at one of our annual Tū Ake events, which support whānau in the development of their business plan. You will have the opportunity to complete this phase at one of these events.

Disclaimer: By registering your business by using the Te Pou Here form you will also be registering on Te Pou Here, a Ngāi Tahu business directory. To find out more about Te Pou Here visit https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/whanau/opportunities/te-pou-here/

Stay-Up Support

Get expert support to keep your business on track

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has created this support service for whānau who require additional supports during the initial phase of business development. We will connect you with relevant mentors or industry experts, to support you with the sustainability of your business.

Criteria

• Be registered as Ngāi Tahu
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Supply a current business plan and financial report
• Provide us with confirmation of your company registration and structure
• Provide us a brief about the type of support you require for your business

Next Steps

• Register for Stay-Up Support on Te Pou Here
• We will connect you with a relevant mentor or industry expert
• The Puna Pakihi team will contact you regularly to see how you are going

Disclaimer: By registering your business by using the Te Pou Here form you will also be registering on Te Pou Here, a Ngāi Tahu business platform. To find out more about Te Pou Here visit https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/whanau/opportunities/te-pou-here/

Growth Grant

Get up to $15,000 to take your business to the next level

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has partnered with the Poutama Trust to deliver this growth-centred initiative. For every dollar you invest in the growth of your business we will contribute three dollars up to $15, 000 per annum for up to three years.

Criteria

• Be registered as Ngāi Tahu
• Be 18 years of age of older
• You need to have been in business for a minimum of one year
• Have a turnover of at least $60,000
• We require confirmation of your company registration and structure
• This process is subject to the Poutama Trust’s approval process and can take up to eight weeks

Next Steps

Disclaimer: By registering your business via the Te Pou Here form you will also be registering on Te Pou Here, a Ngāi Tahu business directory. To find out more about Te Pou Here visit https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/te-pou-here