Online resources
Online resources include:
Services (eligibility criteria apply)
- Business training – Contact your Regional Business Partner for an assessment of your business, after which they can direct you to appropriate information, advice and support.
- NZTE Capability Building Vouchers - You may be eligible for a voucher from your Regional Business Partner to help you access services that build your management capabilities.
- Business mentoring services – Use a business mentor to help achieve your business goals.
- Incubators – Business incubators can help your start-up business become more established and sustainable.
- Industry Capability Network – Assists businesses to get involved in major public and private projects in New Zealand and Australia.
- ProjectLink – Sign up to ProjectLink to find major public and private projects in New Zealand and Australia.
Visit the programme pages for more information on eligibility criteria.
Programmes that you must qualify for to access
If you are interested in accessing any of the following, please be aware your business would need to undergo a rigorous assessment process. This helps us determine whether your business meets our criteria.
- Brand Partner programme – The Brand Partner programme enables qualified businesses to use the Fern Mark in selected international markets.
- Beachheads programme – Connects businesses to a network of private sector advisors who can provide detailed insights into doing business in international markets.
- Path to Market programme – An invitation only programme, Path to Market bundles services from NZTE with expertise from the private sector to help companies enter Australia.
- Lean Business programme – Helps businesses improve performance and eliminate inefficient processes.
- Better by Design – Helps exporters increase growth and international competitiveness through the better use of design.
- Manufacturing+ programme – Designed to help businesses ensure their products meet customer needs.
- Customised offshore research – Targeted at New Zealand businesses at an advanced stage in their export planning who are deemed to have the capability to internationalise. Please contact us for more information on this service.
Accessing an account manager
NZTE account managers are located throughout New Zealand. They have commercial business experience and each work closely with a number of companies who are actively developing new export opportunities, and have the necessary resources to grow in a sustained way.
When determining if a company should have an account manager, NZTE considers whether the company has any of the following:
- experience in international business
- turnover of a minimum of $3 million, including an international revenue of minimum $250,000
- a minimum of 15 FTEs or operating profitably
- additional indicators of their ability to pursue international business in a sustained manner, for example a substantial level of commercial investment or new customer-validated intellectual property.
A company is also assessed on their willingness to work closely with NZTE and the ability for NZTE to add value to the company. This assessment takes into account:
- The robustness of the company’s business plan and strategies for growth.
- A company’s willingness to work with NZTE strategically including sharing their financial information and for senior management to work with NZTE to develop an engagement plan outlining specific priorities and objectives for growth in specific markets.
- Reliability and experience of the company’s senior management team (do they have a sound track record?).
- The company’s previous history with NZTE.
- The company’s commitment to retaining value in New Zealand.
- The difference NZTE can make to the company’s international growth.
- Potential economic benefits for New Zealand.
Depending on the outcomes of this assessment, businesses are classified based on their level of global experience and their potential to contribute to New Zealand’s long-term economic growth.
- Key Accounts are businesses that are more likely to contribute significant benefits to the New Zealand economy, because they are already large and capable, and are integrated into the global economy. Key account companies generally have a minimum turnover of $25 million, with international revenue of minimum $5 million and a minimum of 20 FTEs.
- Pipeline Accounts are businesses that have high potential for growth and have demonstrated an ability to engage internationally, but need to further develop the infrastructure, skills or global networks to achieve this growth on their own.
- Client Accounts are businesses that do not meet all of the assessment and eligibility criteria for one reason or another. This includes aspiring export businesses, many of whom are New Zealand’s future export performers. These businesses may not yet have the resources to invest heavily in international business development, but are preparing for that investment by researching international opportunities, developing their first international customers, or demonstrating their products and services to potential customers and business partners.
Businesses classified as either a ‘Key Account’ or ‘Pipeline Account’ are assigned an account manager who manages NZTE’s overall relationship with the company and works closely with their senior management team. All Key Accounts and Pipeline Accounts have an ‘engagement plan’ which outlines how NZTE is planning to add value to a firm, based on the strategic priorities of the company. The engagement plan is a proactive communication and planning tool that enables NZTE to provide customised delivery to these businesses.
Businesses classified as ‘Client’ can still access considerable support including many of our programmes and services, plus our international network. Their primary point of contact within NZTE is through a dedicated contact point in the Business Services Team.
Funds
- International Growth Fund – This fund is targeted at businesses already working closely with NZTE and classified as Key Accounts or Pipeline.
Contact us
If you have further questions or would like to speak to us about engaging with NZTE, contact our Business Services team on 0800 555 888 or contact us by email.
