Covid-19 information

Covid-19 Business Advisory Fund

To support NZ businesses during COVID-19, the Government has allocated an additional $25million for business advisory funding through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN).

This funding is for professional, expert advice and support in: HR, health and wellbeing, business continuity, cashflow and finance management, strategy and digital capability.

Business owners can apply for up to $5000 excl. GST per business from the COVID-19 Business Advisory Fund of which up to $2000 can be spent with one service provider. In other words, you could apply for $5000 and use that funding to cover $2000 worth of HR advice, $2000 cashflow planning support and $1000 for marketing.

Businesses must be registered on the Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network to access this funding.

Click here to register here to join the RBP – it will ask for your GST number to check that you are not already registered. Follow instructions: tick the box to confirm this is COVID-19 related advice, answer key information about your business and accept the T&Cs.

Once you have registered, a funding advisor will make contact to confirm your eligibility and discuss your business needs.

If your business is ‘approved’, the advisor will issue you with voucher to access the support services you need from RBPN registered providers. You can choose who you want to work with and use the voucher to ‘pay’ for services received.

Funding applications are open until 30 June 2020.

Businesses already registered with the RBPN through ATEED, will be asked to email the support desk at info@regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz for further advice and help.

Eligibility Criteria for Auckland businesses applying for Covid-19 Business Advisory Funding
Covid-19 is affecting your business
You must be an employer with less than 100 employees
Your business must have been sound prior to Covid-19

Non-eligible organisations
Charitable trusts
Incorporated societies

Other resources:
Call 0800 500 362 for the Covid-19 Business Helpline for specific advice and access to Government-funded business support

Business advice web series

EMA web series

Government’s central resource for COVID-19 business information, here

Local RBPN service providers

• ConsultingHQ – HR, health and safety
• KGA Accounting Plus has developed a complimentary Business Continuity Plan Template and Guide to help you map out the coming months.

Please email KGA for a copy of these templates.
One of the team will then be in touch to talk you through how best to complete these documents and start planning.

KGA also invites you read their latest blog post here which includes an excerpt of key messages from their recent Business Continuity Plan Webinar.

You can watch the on-demand webinar here. You will be prompted to register your details to watch the webinar.

You can apply for funding to get help from KGA to complete a Business Continuity Plan or for cashflow forecasting through the RBP funding.

Other helpful advice

Local law firm WRMK offers advice for employers in their latest newsletter.