Tararua Business Network

Business Support

For people wanting to start their own business, wanting to grow their business or innovate, we will sit down with you to discuss your ideas and help you plot an action plan and/or link you to the organizations that may assist you.  This service is free!

If you would like to book some time and discuss your ideas with one of our staff, please email: info@tararuadc.govt.nz.

Alternatively, you could choose to work with a Business Growth Advisor from the Regional Business Partners Network (RBP), also at no cost.

Regional Business Partners Network

The Business Growth Advisors that serve the Tararua District are based at the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) in Palmerston North.


Business Mentors

Business Mentors New Zealand connects business owners and entrepreneurs with those who can provide one-on-one advice to help them to start, grow or solve business challenges and share their experiences.

Business Mentors New Zealand

Management Capability Development Fund

Your business may qualify for Management Capability Development co-funding, up to 50% of the training or advice costs, with a RBP registered service provider. A service provider may be an accountant, a marketing or business strategy specialist, for example.

Capability Development Vouchers

NOTE: The maximum amount a business can receive in one year is $5,000 (excluding GST).


Research & Development Funding

Investing in research and development (R&D) can create and sustain a winning edge for your business. It can lead to new products and services, and smarter, more efficient ways of doing things. It could also create a point of difference that is aligned with the needs of your customers and sets you apart from your competitors.

You can speak to your RBP Business Growth Advisor about this fund.

Delivered by Callaghan Innovation, R&D services are designed to build your capability in innovation and put you on the fast-track to commercialising your business.


The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

MBIE is the lead government agency driving New Zealand's science and innovation sector. MBIE’s funding and support programmes aim to build high-performing science and innovation systems that will transform New Zealand into a more diverse, technologically advanced, smart nation.


Lottery Grants

The Department of Internal Affairs administers and provides information and advice about grant funding to support local initiatives, projects, activities and community services. Lottery Grants are distributed from the profits from state lotteries run by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and are available for different types of projects and services. Each stream of grant funding is managed by a separate committee.



If you are a community group, sports team or a variation thereof looking for funding opportunities and accidentally made your way here, click the link below:

Community Funding | Tararua District Council