Unless specifically noted as eligible, all other activities are not eligible for Capability Building funding. In addition, whether or not they fall into the funded categories listed, some activities may be ineligible for funding on other grounds.
To comply with New Zealand’s international trade obligations, funding cannot be used for activities in Australia.
If you also receive funding from the Market Development programme, the total amount you can receive from both sources is capped at $100,000 a year.
The general categories of ineligible activities are listed below.
- Costs incurred by the applicant before the completed application is received and accepted as complete by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
- Costs relating to normal business operating expenses, non-developmental costs of the project, business establishment, purchase of assets, capital equipment, machinery and raw materials. To receive funding, activities must build business capability.
- Costs incurred internally by the organisation such as payments that cannot be invoiced by a third party including salaries, wages, fees, personal expenditure, in-kind expenses or donations.
- Work being undertaken in relation to the project or activity by any of the applicant's employees or the employees or office holders of any related companies.
- Work being undertaken in relation to the project or activity by the immediate family of the applicant, the applicant's employees or the employees or office holders of any related companies.
- Costs of anyone with a financial interest in the project or activity such as shareholders of the applicant company.
- Costs of New Zealand permits or consents and licenses, renewal or registration fees.
- Costs associated with making an application under another government assistance programme, such as TechNZ grants.
- Costs relating to commercialisation of the product or service including production runs, film and video production, producing brochures and advertising.
- In-kind contribution or time.
- Costs of, or directly related to, applying for assistance from NZTE, or costs related to any advice or expertise provided by NZTE. Third party consultants/mentors should not fill out application forms or claims on behalf of their clients.
- Costs associated with the implementation of a business, marketing or HR plan or training programme fees.
- Costs for tax advice or consultancy, company restructuring, takeovers or costs involved in establishing and registering a new company.
- Energy efficiency projects - please note the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has grants available to help businesses save money and energy. To find out more contact EECA on 04 470 2200 or visit www.emprove.org.nz.
- Costs relating to the implementation of a web strategy, installation, domain name registration, website design and maintenance or installation of hardware, software or other capital expenditure.
- Market research involving the Australian market is specifically excluded because of New Zealand's obligations under CER.
- Course related costs for MBAs and other tertiary degrees and related travel costs, accommodation and incidentals.
Please note: the above list is provided for information purposes only. NZTE reserves the right to exclude other activities for eligibility under Capability Building funding if appropriate.
If you have a question that is not answered here
If you have a question that is not answered here, please call NZTE on 0800 555 888, email us, or contact your account manager if you have one.
