A government loan over a term of 5 years for small to medium businesses affected by COVID-19.  The loan is interest free for the first 2 years.

Businesses set up after 1 April 2020. They need to have been in business for at least 6 months before applying, and to meet other eligibility criteria.

Businesses will be entitled to a loan of $20,000, plus $1,800 per full-time employee, up to a maximum of $110,000. The base loan amount increased to $20,000 (from $10,000) on 21 March 2022. Existing borrowers can apply for a top-up loan of $10,000.

Investment will be made in projects that meet three objectives:

• Jobs – immediate redeployment and new employment opportunities and income growth.
• Timelines – projects will need to begin as soon as possible.
• Visibility – to give confidence that recovery is underway.

Funding for a wide range of projects that are central to regional economies.

Projects that provide longer term benefits to the community, support productivity and strengthen crucial infrastructure.

It is an investment  to support local government, iwi, community groups and all New Zealanders to take environmental action to significantly improve our freshwater and support our regional economic recovery.

Legal entities that meet the criteria. Legal entities include councils, territorial authorities, charitable trusts, incorporated societies and limited partnerships. These entities may in turn call on local businesses or contractors to carry out or support the work involved and in so doing create jobs.

Recipients of the Ministry’s environment funds are responsible for managing recruitment and may advertise for environment jobs to support the delivery of their projects. 

You can find out more about the successful recipients via the Ministry for the Environment website.