Regional Business Partner Network

What is RBPN

The regional business partner network is a permanent organisation funded by Government and Callahan Innovation, where businesses can apply for funding to get support through approved service providers. Through the network, a separate ‘Covid-19 Advisory Fund’ has been setup by Government, who recently provided another $40 million in funding for any business to access expert advice.

Opportunity

Businesses can sign up to the RBPN for funding support of up to $5000, for business continuity support. Services we’re registered to provide include:

• HR and employment
• liquidation and insolvency
• contracts (i.e. issues with commercial leases, debt recoveries etc)
• restructuring
• finance
• shareholding
• or a combination of these.

Client eligibility

For a business to be eligible for funding from the RBPN - COVID-19 Business Advisory Fund, they must:

Be a privately owned business or a Māori Trust / incorporated under the Te Ture
Have fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees
Be GST registered in New Zealand
Have a New Zealand Business Number
Be operating in a commercial environment.

How can they apply?

If they meet the requirements above, they’ll need to register their business with the Regional Business Partner Network.

An RBPN Growth Advisor will then be in touch with them within a few days. When their RBPN Advisor calls, they will discuss their needs (e.g. employment issues) and agree to a scope. They then need to let RBPN know they’d like to work with a registered provider. After that call, RBPN will confirm the level of funding they will provide and issue the client with a voucher for the providers to partner with them and get them on board.

Click here to download a fact sheet