Financial support

The North Island Weather Events (NIWE) Primary Producer Finance Scheme

Severely impacted businesses can apply through Kānoa for concessionary loans and equity finance. The Kānoa support will be tailored to help individual businesses get back to a point where they can fully re-engage with commercial lenders.

The scheme is open for applications and expressions of interest need to be made by 27 October 2023.

Applications can be made here. 

North Island Weather Events Loan Guarantee Scheme

This scheme supports businesses that are highly impacted by the NIWE but can still receive commercial lending. The Crown will guarantee 80 percent of scheme loans provided by lenders to eligible businesses which should result in lower interest rates. You will need to contact your lender to see if you are eligible.

Scheme supported loans are available until 30 June 2024, for a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue. More information is available here.

Rural Women New Zealand

The Rural Women’s Adverse Event Fund is designed to assist rural individuals (emphasis on rural women and children) and community groups who have experienced financial hardship due to the consequences of an adverse event.

Apply online at https://ruralwomennz.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adverse-Events-3.04.23.pdf or call 0800 256 467

Farm Debt Mediation Scheme

This helps farmers and other primary producers struggling with debt. The scheme uses neutral and independent mediators to help farmers and their creditors work through debt issues: www.mpi.govt.nz/the-farm-debt-mediation-scheme-2

Farm Business Advice Support Fund

This can be accessed through Rural Support Trusts to assist with the costs for professional advice for your farming business: www.rural-support.org.nz/Help-Support/Financial-Pressure

If you own a business in Hawke’s Bay and have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle you can apply for support through the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce.  Further information and details on how to apply can be found here.

Hawke's Bay disaster relief fund

The Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Trust has now closed.  

Find out more information here.

As of 16 August 2023 the Trust had approved and paid out the following:

Work and Income NZ financial support

Civil Defence payments for the East Coast region (Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay) ended on Saturday 15 April. There are lots of other ways Work and Income can help people.

Hardship payments, employment support, financial assistance, and accommodation costs continue to be available.

Visit www.workandincome.govt.nz for further information or call 0800 559 009