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helping_businesses

27 February 2023

pair working at a table

Cyclone and flooding recovery support announced

If your business is in a place where a local State of Emergency has been declared, and you have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding, you may be eligible for support to help you recover. 

Grants of up to $40,000 are to help you:

  • keep operating
  • maintain cashflow.
Find out more
soil in hands

Farmers and growers can apply for recovery support

If you're a farmer, grower, or whenua Māori owner significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, you can get support to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Grants include:

  • up to $10,000 for pastoral and arable farmers to help with initial recovery, such as repairs to water infrastructure for livestock, and fencing
  • up to $2,000 per hectare (up to a maximum of $40,000) to remove silt from trees and vines, support clean-up, and minimise future losses.

Applications are now open.

Find out more
two people in office

Working through employment issues

If you have employment issues at your business, there is help available.

With Employment New Zealand’s Dispute Resolution services, you and your employee will be helped to work through any issues before they escalate.

Their services are:

  • flexible – different services for different types of problems
  • free
  • fair – neutral, impartial and culturally-responsive.
Find out more
woman smiling at a cafe

Minimum wage goes up on 1 April

From 1 April, the adult minimum wage will increase to $22.70 per hour. 

That's an increase of $1.50 from the current hourly rate of $21.20. 

The training and starting-out minimum wages will also both be increased.

Find out more
two engineers

Sponsor migrant workers to help with recovery

If your business is involved in the North Island cyclone and flood recovery and needs workers such as engineers, technicians, insurance assessors, or transport drivers, then you could sponsor them to come to New Zealand.

The Recovery Visa is available for migrant workers coming here for up to 6 months to do a job that directly supports the recovery.

Find out more
man looking at phone

Take care of your wellbeing

If you or your employees are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, there is free help available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

  • visit First Steps for support for small business owners, ranging from dealing with anxiety to tackling insomnia. 
  • call or text 1737 for support from a trained counsellor
  • call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or text 4357
  • call Samaritans on 0800 726 666
Wellbeing support
business.govt.nz
New Zealand Government