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I’ve been wanting to share this with the Side Hustles NZ community for a while. A proper guide to all the business grants and funding help available around Aotearoa.
Let’s be real. Most side hustles don’t fall over because the idea sucks. They fall over because you’ve got bills to pay, no spare cash, and nobody’s handing out freebies when you’re trying to get something off the ground.
Stuck for ideas? Browse 101 side hustle ideas to get inspired.
Maybe you need a few grand for gear. Maybe you need to cover rent while you go full-time. Or maybe you’ve got a bigger idea that needs serious coin to even get off the whiteboard.
The good news? New Zealand has grants for that. Not just for big businesses or slick startups with pitch decks and suits. Actual support for everyday Kiwis trying to build something from scratch.
So I’ve pulled together the 2025 guide to business grants in NZ. No fluff. No theory. Just real options you can apply for, with links, tips, and plain English explanations. Whether you’re on a benefit, growing a side hustle, or dreaming up something innovative, there’s probably something here for you.
First up, let’s clear something up. Not everything on this list is a “grant” in the purest sense – like someone handing you a pile of cash, no strings attached. Some are more like funding programmes. Others might pay for training, help cover your startup costs, or support you while you get a business off the ground.
But they all share one thing: they’re designed to make starting or growing a business in New Zealand more doable.
Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
Some are competitive. Some are underused. A few are surprisingly generous. You won’t qualify for all of them, but chances are there’s at least one you could apply for.
So let’s start where most people are: trying to get something off the ground.
Starting a business when you’ve got no spare cash, no backup plan, and no idea where to begin? Been there. It’s rough. But that’s exactly why some of these early-stage grants exist — to help everyday people get moving without waiting for “someday”.
Here are a few of the best-known options for getting started in New Zealand:
workandincome.govt.nz/self-employment-start-up-payment
This one can give you up to $10,000 to cover startup costs. Think gear, stock, website fees, rental bonds, marketing — the basics you need to launch properly. You’ll need a solid business plan and a brand-new idea (no reviving an old business), and you must be on a benefit or out of work.
Not sure where to begin? Here’s a simple guide to figuring out your side hustle startup costs.
It can be used for things like tools, gear, business cards, software subscriptions, initial stock, or setting up a basic website. It’s not going to cover a new van or a commercial lease, but it might be enough to get you out there with your first few customers.
It’s a one-time shot, so use it wisely. Get your ducks in a row, show that you’ve done the homework, and prove your business has legs.
workandincome.govt.nz/flexi-wage-for-self-employment
This covers your living costs while you build. You could get $600 a week for up to 28 weeks — that’s around $16,800 to keep you afloat while you get things rolling. It also pairs well with the start-up payment, so you’re not stuck choosing between keeping the lights on or buying your first batch of stock.
You’ll need to show you’ve got a viable plan, and Work and Income needs to sign off before you dive in. But for the right person? It’s a legit bridge from no-income to your own gig.
This one flies under the radar. It’s up to $5,000 to pay for things like mentorship, business courses, or coaching — within 52 weeks of starting your business.
You don’t need to be a business whizz to get going, but a few grand’s worth of smart advice? That can save you from expensive stuff-ups down the line.
In other words, it pays for help before things go sideways.
These grants are meant to get you to the starting line, not carry you forever. But if you’re stuck between staying on a benefit or backing yourself, this might be the help you need to make that first leap.
So maybe you’ve already started. You’ve got a side hustle ticking along, a few clients, a basic website. But you’re winging it a bit and know you need help with the next step — maybe marketing, bookkeeping, or figuring out how to scale.
That’s where the Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network comes in.
The RBP programme helps small businesses access expert training and advice. If you qualify, you could get matched with a growth advisor who’ll help identify what you need — and then score up to $5,000 in co-funding for stuff like digital marketing, financial systems, HR, or business strategy.
Learn more about how to market your side hustle to real Kiwi customers.
You’ll need to be:
It’s not a cash handout. You’ll usually need to co-pay 50% of the cost. But if a solid marketing plan or expert advice could take your hustle from patchy to profitable, it’s a smart investment.
Get started with the RBP network
Even better? Signing up to RBP plugs you into a wider ecosystem — future grants, free webinars, mentor access, and connections you might not find on your own.
This one’s less about the early survival grind and more about growing your thing properly. If you’re serious about turning your side hustle into something long-term, don’t skip this.
If your hustle isn’t just another online store, maybe it’s a new tech tool, a climate-friendly product, or something totally fresh. NZ has some serious innovation grants worth looking into.
These aren’t for everyone. But if you’re solving real problems and ready to move beyond the “idea on a napkin” stage, keep reading.
This one’s for the big players in the making. If you’re close to launching something breakthrough — something that could shake up your industry — this grant can co-fund up to $4 million (covering 40% of project costs). Yup, million.
It’s not for early ideas or rough prototypes. You need to have most of your R&D already done and a clear path to commercialisation.
Learn more about the Trailblazer Grant
Not quite Trailblazer level? This smaller grant gives up to $25,000 to help you get there — covering market research, pitch prep, expert advice, and customer interviews.
Think of it as funding to build a killer case for the big grant later.
If you’re dipping your toes into R&D for the first time, this grant can cover 40% of eligible project costs up to $400k.
You’ll need:
Hire a PhD or masters grad? You could get 6 months of salary covered.
Got a uni student doing summer work? Get their wages funded.
These smaller grants are ideal if you’re building a team to take your product further.
R&D Career Grant
R&D Experience Grant
If you’re already spending money on research, you might qualify for a 15% tax credit on eligible R&D costs — claimed through the IRD when you do your tax return.
This one’s niche but powerful. It supports early-stage deep-tech companies with serious funding — including a $750k repayable grant and $250k from a partner incubator. You’ll need to align with one of the approved incubators and be incorporated in NZ.
Working on something transport-related? You could get between $30k and $500k for projects tackling climate, safety, or emissions.
These grants aren’t a fast track to easy money. You’ll need clear evidence, plans, and often co-funding. But if you’re building something bold, this is where the big backing lives.
If you’re Māori and running (or starting) a business, there’s more than just money on offer. These grants often come with guidance, mentorship, and support rooted in kaupapa Māori. It’s not just about growing a business — it’s about building something that benefits whānau, hapū, and community.
Here are some of the key funding options in 2025:
This programme connects Māori-owned businesses with co-funding, expert advice, and strategic support. It’s not a one-size-fits-all grant — it’s tailored to your needs and growth stage.
You’ll work with a TPK account manager, build a plan, and get help with things like marketing, governance, financial systems or expansion.
More on Te Puni Kōkiri support
If you’re part of a collective (e.g. a trust or rūnanga), this fund backs projects that strengthen economic outcomes for Māori — think strategic development, innovation, or unlocking underused assets.
If you’re Ngāi Tahu, this grant series is made just for you — with three $5,000 options depending on where your business is at:
You’ll need to be 18+, own at least 50% of the business, and provide a plan. There’s a 12-month wait between applying for another grant — but the support can be a real boost when you need it most.
Apply through Ngāi Tahu Whānau Opportunities
This one’s for established Māori-owned businesses with revenue over $80,000 a year. Poutama offers flexible co-funding up to $10,000, helping your business move beyond “just surviving” and into real growth.
If you’re working in science or innovation with a Māori lens, this is a big one. The 2026 round offers $8.6 million across two streams:
Applications open late August 2025, so mark your calendar.
These grants aren’t just about ticking boxes. They’re built on manaakitanga, support systems, and growing Māori success on your terms.
Not every funding opportunity comes from Wellington or big-name agencies. Plenty of councils, foundations, and niche programmes offer smaller, targeted grants that might be perfect for your hustle — especially if it’s community-minded, eco-focused, or outside the big cities.
Here are a few standouts for 2025:
Live in Nelson? Got a business idea that reduces emissions or helps the region adapt to climate change?
This grant offers up to $25,000 per business, with a total pool of $50k for 2025. It’s contestable, meaning you’ll have to pitch your project. But past winners have included initiatives like low-emissions commuting and climate-smart marketing — so if you’re thinking green, give it a go.
This one’s about more than business expenses — it helps women cover living costs (childcare, rent, etc.) while they grow their startup. They’ve already given out over $200k across nine recipients, and more rounds are expected.
If you’re juggling business with life, this kind of support can make all the difference.
If you’re between 17 and 30, He Kākano provides seed funding and mentoring through a joint programme by the Ministry of Youth Development and the Prince’s Trust.
Details are light on exact amounts, but it’s part of a $2 million collaboration, and it’s all about backing young entrepreneurs with viable, creative ideas.
For Pasifika-owned businesses, this fund offers four tiers of support — from less than $40k to over $100k — to grow capability, resilience, and employment.
Whether you’re just getting going or scaling up something powerful, this is one of the more generous and strategic funding options out there.
Apply or prep for the next round
This one blends entrepreneurship with sustainability. It offers $2,000 to $50,000 for projects that support conservation or sustainable development — particularly in Pacific communities and Aotearoa.
Perfect for social enterprises or kaupapa-driven ventures with an environmental bent.
Some of these programmes are small. Some are competitive. But if your hustle fits the kaupapa, they could give you the cash (and confidence) to take that next step.
Reading about grants is one thing. Getting one? That’s where most people trip up. But here’s the deal — most funders aren’t looking for polished “Shark Tank” types. They just want to see that your idea makes sense, solves a problem, and isn’t going to fall over next week.
Here’s what’ll make or break your application:
1. Have a business plan — even if it’s scrappy
You don’t need a 40-page pitch deck. But you do need to show:
Even a few clear pages is enough to show you’ve thought it through.
2. Register with the Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network
They’re like your backstage pass to loads of grants, mentors, and advice. Plus, they’ll help you figure out which funding fits best — and you’ll need that if you’re applying for Capability Vouchers or working with Callaghan.
3. Match the kaupapa
Every grant has a purpose. Innovation, community impact, Māori economic development, sustainability, youth — whatever it is, your project needs to align with that. Read the criteria carefully and speak their language.
4. Get your financials sorted
You don’t need to be an accountant, but funders want to know:
5. Be ready to co-fund
Many grants (especially capability or innovation ones) will ask you to chip in a share. It shows skin in the game. If you’re broke, talk to the funder — sometimes they’ll flex.
6. Timing matters
Some grants are open all year. Others only have short windows — and they don’t always give much notice. If you’re keen on one, set calendar reminders or sign up for updates from the funder’s site.
7. Ask for help
Don’t try to wing the whole thing solo. Whether it’s your accountant, mentor, or even a local small biz group — get someone to look over your plan before you hit submit.
Most grants aren’t about having the flashiest idea. They’re about showing you’re serious, coachable, and have a path forward.
Start with one that fits your stage. Use the funding wisely. Build from there.
If you’re starting something small — or dreaming up something big — there’s help out there. Actual dollars, not just “advice” or buzzwords. You don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Thinking of quitting your job? Here’s how to transition from 9–5 to self-employment in New Zealand.
What you do need? A clear plan, a bit of time to apply, and the guts to back yourself.
Pick one grant that fits your stage. Read the criteria. Give it a crack. Worst case? You learn something and sharpen your game. Best case? You get the funding you need to go further, faster.
Tried one of these already? Got a win, a warning, or a sneaky tip? Flick me a message — I’m always keen to hear what’s actually working for everyday Kiwis.
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Hey, I’m Rachel! I started Side Hustles NZ in 2021 with the goal of helping Kiwi’s start and grow small businesses in New Zealand. During the week you’ll find me discussing side hustle ideas in our Facebook group, working in my website design business, or riding my horses.
