News
Cyclone and flood recovery support announced
Cyclone and flood recovery for businesses
If you own a business in parts of the North Island and have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding you can apply for support to help you recovery.
Government grants for recovery support
The Government is providing $25 million in recovery support to businesses in seven regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods in the North Island.
Farmers and growers can apply for separate support from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Support for farmers and growers - external link
What the grants are for
You can apply for a grant of up to $40,000.
The grants are to help you:
- keep operating and position you for a successful recovery
- maintain cashflow.
Who can apply
You must meet some criteria, including being in one of the seven regions, and how you have been affected.
You can apply if you are self-employed, a sole trader, or an employer - no matter how many people you employee.
Location criteria
You can apply if your business is primarily in one of the areas where there was a local State of Emergency declared and you were affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding.
The regions are:
- Northland
- Auckland
- Bay of Plenty
- Coromandel
- Tairawhiti
- Hawke’s Bay
- Tararua
You must also meet all these criteria
- You’re facing significant cashflow issues due to continued challenges with customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to the physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs.
- Your business is otherwise viable both before and after the flooding.
- You are not receiving any funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries recovery fund.
- You commit to acting in line with employment law and with due regard to your employees.
Regional criteria
Local partners who will allocate the grants may set further criteria. Check before you apply.
When to apply
Our local partners are working on setting up their application and payment systems as soon as possible.
We will update this page as soon as the regional contact information is available. We expect this to be in early March 2023.
In the meantime, we suggest you pull together key information about your business such as name, location, nature of business, number of staff, and information about the impact the cyclone or flooding has had on your business.
Where to apply
Grants will be delivered locally by people on the ground in the seven regions. They are best placed to do this.
We will update this page as soon as our local partners have their application and payment processes set up. We expect this to be in early March 2023.
Advice and support is also available through the Regional Business Partner Network.
Our advisors can help cyclone-affected businesses.
Regional Business Partner Network (external link)
Support for farmers and growers
Farmers, growers and whenua Maori owners can apply for support from the Ministry for Primary Industries to get back on their feet. You cannot also apply for a grant from the cyclone and flooding recovery fund.
Cyclone Gabrielle recovery(external link) — Ministry for Primary Industries
Employer helpline
The Employers and Manufacturers Association can offer advice and guidance to affected businesses.
Call 0800 500 362 or email info@businesshelpline.co.nz.
Mental health support
If you or your employees are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, help is available from First Steps.
Call: 0800 178 783
Source: www.business.govt.nz