Getting started
Advice and tools to help with setting up in business.
See 11 types of support on this page
Starting a business
Getting started — business.govt.nz
Business.govt.nz has a package page with resources for getting your business up and running. From tips to templates, you’ll find it all in one place.
What it's about
Business.govt.nz has tips, tools, visual guides, and case studies to point you in the right direction when starting a business. Find information on planning, getting set up, funding and finance on the getting started package page to help you get started on the right foot.
Who it's for
These resources are for all New Zealanders in business. They’re built with small to medium business owners at front of mind. No matter your geographical location, or your industry, Business.govt.nz provides information to help you thrive.
Start your own business
Ministry of Social Development
Work and Income have a range of supports to help you if you’re starting your own business.
What it's about
Supporting people to develop and start their own business.
You can get help with:
- advice and training on how to start a business
- help with essential start-up costs
- subsidies for living costs while you’re getting started.
Who it's for
Each type of support has different criteria you need to meet, these are outlined on the Work and Income website.
Support for business
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue have a range of support in place to help when you’re starting a new business.
What it's about
Inland Revenue are here to support you with understanding your responsibilities around tax and social policy obligations, helping you get it right from the start.
The website holds key information that will help when you’re looking to start working for yourself.
Who it's for
Anyone setting up a new business, support for those already in business and those wanting to close down an existing business.
What it offers
You can get support with:
- Starting your business
- Choosing a business structure
- Running your business – education seminars/webinars and videos
- Income tax
- GST
- Employing people
Help with costs while you set up your business
Flexi-wage — Ministry of Social Development
If you are out of work and want to start your own business but need some support, Work and Income may be able to help with Flexi-wage Self-employment.
What it's about
If you’re out of work and want to start your own business, Flexi-wage Self-employment may be able to support you and help with costs while you get started.
Who it's for
You may be able to get Flexi-wage Self-employment if you’re:
- within New Zealand’s working-age population
- out of work
- disadvantaged in the labour market (which means you have, or are expected to have, difficulty getting or keeping a job), and
- at risk of long-term unemployment.
What it offers
Flexi-wage Self-employment includes:
- $600 a week over 28 weeks, totalling $16,800 (pro-rated for those pursuing self-employment part-time)
- funding support through a Business, Training and Advice Grant, up to $5,000.
Employment New Zealand website
Employment New Zealand
The Employment New Zealand website provides a wide range of information and resources, to help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations. Employment New Zealand is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
What it's about
The website provides practical, operational, and best practice employment information to help employers and employees understand what they can do and how they should do it.
Who it's for
The website is free to use for any member of the public. This includes both employers and employees, but also any other individuals and organisations.
What it offers
The information on the website aims to support positive relationships between employers and employees, and to promote safe, fair, and harmonious workplaces.
Employment Learning Modules
Employment New Zealand
The Employment Learning Modules on the Employment New Zealand website are free to access. These will help you and your employees learn about your rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
What it's about
The Employment Learning Modules are short online courses on a range of topics relating to employment – working arrangements, employment agreements, pay and wages, etc. The new module, ‘An Introduction to Your Employment Rights’, comes in 8 different languages, and also comes with a voice-over function.
Who it's for
The modules are free to access, use, and sign up for, by any member of the public. This includes both employers and employees, but also any other individuals and organisations.
What it offers
You and your employees will gain a better understanding of your rights and responsibilities under New Zealand employment law.
Digital Boost
Business.govt.nz
Digital Boost provides access to free, self-paced training to assist small businesses in gaining digital skills.
What it's about
Learn the digital skills to boost your business. Whatever stage you’re at, use digital to do business smarter.
See how other Kiwi business owners are using digital to boost their business and work smarter. Access free, self-paced training and tools and gain skills to launch your business into the digital world.
Who it's for
Business.govt.nz assisted in creating Digital Boost for all New Zealand small businesses, no matter what stage or business structure you’re in. Digital Boost is free to use.
Choose business structure
business.govt.nz
Each different way to structure your business has different legal and financial obligations. Most businesses in New Zealand are sole traders, companies, or partnerships.
What it's about
There are different ways to structure your business, depending on how you plan on running it.
Who it's for
Anyone thinking of starting a business
What it offers
Answer three quick questions to see which structure is best suited for your business idea.
Workplace Policy Builder
business.govt.nz
Policies set out the rules for your workplace. They tell your workers what you expect from them, and what they can expect from you.
What it's about
Workplace policies, together with employment agreements, are a great foundation for employment relationships.
Who it's for
All employers.
What it offers
Build a workplace policy to let your workers know what to expect at work.
Going contracting
business.govt.nz
Business.govt.nz has tips, tools, templates and case studies to help you get set up to go contracting.
What it's about
You’ll find information about:
- setting up as a contractor
- managing finances
- different business structures
- finding work
- tax and expenses
- checking your contracts
- insurance
- government help.
Who it's for
Business.govt.nz is free to use by any member of the public. The content is designed with New Zealand small businesses front of mind.
Employment Agreement Builder
business.govt.nz
Create tailored employment agreements for your staff. Employment agreements are a legal requirement and a great foundation for an employment relationship.
What it's about
Employment agreements are a legal requirement for all employees.
Who it's for
All employers.
What it offers
Create tailored employment agreements for your staff.
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