Kickstart Grant

The Kickstart Grant is designed for Ngāi Tahu whānau members who are in their first year of business. This grant supports new business owners who have established their enterprise with at least 50% Ngāi Tahu ownership, possess a Registered NZ Business Number, and are already trading. The program is administered through Te Kopa Ora grants portal and is part of the Puna Pakihi business support initiative by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Whānau members can receive a maximum of two Kickstart Grants over their lifetime and are limited to applying for one grant every 12 months. To be eligible, applicants must be registered as Ngāi Tahu whānau members and be at least 18 years old. If an applicant has received any grants previously, all reporting and receipts relating to those grants must have been received and approved before a new application can be submitted. The grant is specifically targeted at supporting indigenous business development within the Ngāi Tahu community, helping new entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses during the critical first year of operation. The program provides both financial support and access to business resources through the Resource Kete, which includes templates and examples to assist with the application process.