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Government Funding

Keeping you connected

Economic Developers in Aotearoa New Zealand can access central government funding primarily through place-based investment programmes, infrastructure funds, and sector-specific initiatives. While funding is rarely provided directly to EDAs for operations, EDAs play a critical role as partners, convenors, and delivery agents. 

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Below are some potential funding opportunities. 

Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (MBIE)

  • Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF)

    • A major capital fund investing in regional infrastructure that supports economic growth, resilience, and productivity across New Zealand.

    • Funding support is primarily provided through a mix of loan and equity investments. 

    • The RIF will invest specifically in regional infrastructure, making investments in projects that boost regional growth, resilience, and productivity. This includes building new infrastructure and improving existing structures to benefit regional businesses, organisations, and communities.

  • Wood Processing Growth Fund (WPGF)

    • This programme supports the expansion of New Zealand’s wood processing and manufacturing industries, driving jobs and export growth in regional areas. 

    • The WPGF is designed to help wood processors increase New Zealand’s onshore wood processing capacity. It does this by providing grants for both pre-investment activities and direct capital investments.

  • Gas Security Fund​

    • A $200 million co-investment fund to increase gas supply and storage capacity, supporting energy access for business and industry.

    • Opens for expressions of interest 12 January 2026.

  • Regional Air Connectivity Support

    • Concessionary loans to help sustain regional airline services, improving connectivity for regional economies.

    • The Government is providing up to $30 million in concessionary loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to support regional airlines and safeguard essential air services across New Zealand.​

City and Regional Deals - Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

  • Long-term partnerships between central government, local councils and iwi/Māori to align investment and unlock regional growth, infrastructure and housing outcomes.

  • City and Regional Deals is the Government’s initiative for establishing long-term agreements between central and local government.

  • The programme unlocks funding and resource opportunities to support councils to make improvements in their region, for example, to roads, infrastructure, and the supply of quality housing.

  • The CRDs programme aspires to deliver game-changing outcomes, including delivering infrastructure and/or change that ensures significantly higher economic growth for regions through a Deal.

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MBIE- Major Events and Tourism Package  

​The 2025 Major Events and Tourism Package is designed to increase international visitor numbers, drive economic growth, and position New Zealand as a premier destination for major events and tourism.

The Major Events and Tourism Package is the second phase of the Government’s work to drive economic growth and boost international visitor numbers. 

  • Events Attraction Package – to secure major international events from 2026.

  • Regional Tourism Boost – contestable funding to help regions attract international visitors.

  • Events Boost Fund 

  • Infrastructure Enhancements – upgrades that improve visitor and event experience.​​

Sector-Specific & Strategic Investment

Māori Economic Development Programmes

  • Initiatives through Te Puni Kōkiri and MBIE that support Māori business capability and regional participation.

National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo) — Market-Led / Unsolicited Proposals

  • What it is: The Government’s investor shopfront for public infrastructure projects, supporting large-scale infrastructure investment proposals.

  • NIFFCo accepts market-led proposals from project sponsors and can help connect projects with financing pathways, procurement models (including PPPs) and investment partners.

  • What’s open:

    • Market-led / unsolicited proposals — project sponsors can engage to propose funding and financing structures to NIFFCo for review.

    • Debt provider panels and partnerships — processes underway for debt capital engagement for public infrastructure projects.

    • Investor Shopfront — guidance and pathways for connecting capital to infrastructure opportunities.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (EECA) 

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have grants available to businesses to improve energy conservation. Making a financial investment in energy efficiency will deliver returns. They may be able to help you with the initial investment through grants and loans:

  • Energy Audits Co-funding
    Co-funding (up to 40%, capped at $20,000) for qualified energy audits to identify cost-effective energy efficiency and emissions-reduction opportunities in council-owned or managed facilities.

  • Feasibility Studies & Business Case Co-funding
    Co-funding to support feasibility studies and business cases for energy efficiency, renewable energy or fuel-switching projects, helping de-risk larger infrastructure and transition investments.

  • Energy Transition Accelerator
    Support for organisations planning and progressing technically and commercially viable energy transitions, including early-stage planning and implementation support.

  • Fleet Transition Programme
    Provided expert help to Public Sector fleet managers to optimise and electrify their fleets, support with charging infrastructure assessments, or the costs of leasing low-emissions vehicles.

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