Tauola Business Fund

The Tauola Business Fund aims to provide capital investments for Pacific businesses outside of Auckland to increase regional productivity, scale up and participation in economic development projects. 

The objectives of the fund are to:

• Create employment pathways for Pacific peoples
• Improve Pacific peoples’ participation in the labour market
• Demonstrate capability and capacity to increase productivity and stimulate growth
• Strengthen Pacific-owned businesses to be more successful and sustainable
• Increase resilience through COVID-19

Applicants can apply by submitting a costed proposal up to $100,000 (including GST) and are required to contribute a minimum of 15% of the requested amount.

The Tauola Business Fund opened on Friday 29 April. Applications will close at 9pm on Friday 27 May.

To be eligible, businesses must:

• Align with the Ministry for Pacific People’s Lalanga Fou Goal 2: Prosperous Pacific Communities.
• Be a Pacific business located outside of Auckland.
• Be a Pacific business operating commercially in New Zealand and be GST registered.
• Be a limited liability and partnership business with a minimum of 50% Pacific ownership.
• Commit to co-contributing 15% of the requested funding
• Have a turnover of $60,000 per financial year.
• Be trading for at least 12 months.
• Provide an up-to-date business plan.
• Provide 12 months financial statements.
• Provide a business initiative proposal as outlined below. 

The Tauola Business Fund is available for initiatives that are aligned to (but not limited to) the following:

• Build capacity and capability to create employment opportunities for Pacific peoples.
• Demonstrate commitment to improving Pacific participation in the labour market.
• Increase productivity, scale up, and job creation within 6 months of receiving the funds.
• Build capacity and capability to participate in economic development projects in the regions.
• Demonstrate good health and safety practices.

The Tauola Business Fund is not available for:

• Businesses located in Auckland
• A new business idea or a feasibility study. 
• A financial subsidy for salaries and wages. 
• Travel, accommodation, or fact-finding tours. 
• Social housing (however, 3rd party construction and infrastructure contractors providing labour and equipment to the build may be eligible). 
• Infrastructure: roads, bridges, power stations, water storage or supply (however, 3rd party construction and infrastructure contractors providing labour and equipment to the build may be eligible). 
• New mineral or other exploration (but could expand or pivot an existing exploration business) 
• Renovation or remediation of commercial buildings where the focus is not productive expansion and jobs. 
• Programmes and activities delivered overseas including the NZ realm countries.
• Digital capability and marketing, financial literacy, business mentorship, project management, Strategic and business Planning, Health and Safety and HR capability
• Infrastructure, fixed assets, and capital expenditure.
• Academic research and other academic activities.
• Debt repayment or debt servicing.

See frequently asked questions about the Tauola Business Fund.

Coming soon

Applicants can apply by submitting a costed proposal of up to $100,000 using the online application form or via email using a downloadable version in MS Word or PDF format. 

You'll need to apply online or via email by 9pm, Friday 27 May 2022.

Apply now.

If you need more information about the Tauola Business Fund, please email [email protected].

We often host online Zoom workshops for Pacific businesses to go into detail about MPP funding.

The workshops are approximately one hour and cover the purpose and outcomes of the fund, eligibility criteria, scope of the fund, and then provide you with the chance to ask any questions.

Register for one of our Zoom fono, where we will discuss the Tauola Business Fund: 

Register for upcoming events

Please note: You will only need to attend one session as they each cover the same information.