This page will be updated regularly by the team at the Nelson Regional Development Agency with information, advice and support resources to get your business through COVID-19.
The social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the Delta variant, have been unprecedented, hitting regional, national and global communities and economies in ways that we have never seen before.
As New Zealand transitions through the Alert Levels once again, we position ourselves in a way that will allow us to regenerate strongly in the medium to long term. We have faith that the agility, resilience and clever thinking of the Nelson Tasman business community, combined with the range of government and business support available, will enable us to pave the way for a proactive and successful recovery.
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Business Support
How We Can Help
You’re not in this alone.
If you need business advice, guidance or support as you navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our Regional Business Partner Team at the Nelson Regional Development Agency are here to help. Use the button below to contact us and we will respond to your enquiry within 48 hours.
Our Regional Business Partner team has supported over 2000 businesses since the initial Level 4 lockdown last year, so we understand the challenges businesses are facing and have a great range of knowledge, experience and expertise to help guide you through this period of uncertainty.
The services we can offer include:
- One-on-one advisory support to help businesses identify and prioritise key needs and their plan ahead. This includes support and guidance to understand the government business support package and alert level guidelines.
- Access to 50% co-funding (receive up to max $5k) to access third party expertise to help build and improve your management capabilities in specific areas e.g financial management, business/strategy planning, marketing/digital marketing, manufacturing, governance, export, business sustainability.
- Access to a range of R&D grant funding, co-funding for a range of innovation skills programmes e.g Lean funding / IP funding, and we can help you to connect with technology & product development expertise (200 of NZ’s leading scientists & engineers).
- Access to local accredited business mentors
This service is being delivered as part of the Regional Business Partner Programme which the government has increased its support of to assist businesses at this time. We are the 'Regional Business Partner' for the Top of the South and deliver this service by partnering with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, Nelson Tasman Business Trust and Business Trust Marlborough.
CONTACT OUR REGIONAL BUSINESS PARTNER TEAM
Latest Updates
COVID-19 Business Support Funding
The Government has announced a range of financial support, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme which is available to businesses impacted by New Zealand moving to Alert Level 4 as a result of the Delta outbreak. Applications for the Wage Subsidy Scheme opened at 9am Friday 20 August 2021. From Tuesday 24 August, you will also be able to apply for the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment, which has been designed to help support eligible businesses who are facing a reduction in revenue due to an alert level increase with some of their fixed costs.
Some of the financial support you may be eligible to apply for as a result of the COVID-19 alert level rise includes:
- Wage Subsidy Scheme
- Resurgence Support Payment
- Short-Term Absence Payment
- Leave Support Scheme
- Small Business Cashflow Scheme
For more information and to apply, click here.
Operating a Business at Alert Level 2
For guidance and information about about what your business can and can't do during Alert Level 2, click here.
COVID-19 Business Helpline
If you have questions or need support you can call the free COVID-19 business helpline for advice on:
- government financial support, eg Wage Subsidy Scheme, Resurgence Support Payment
- what different alert levels mean for your business
- business continuity
- finding free or subsidised expert help, eg a business mentor or advisor
Employers can also get specific advice on people challenges, including staffing changes, employee wellness, and meeting your health and safety obligations.
If you are in the South Island, call 0800 505 096. If you are in the North Island, call 0800 500 362.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is available as normal during Alert Level 4. Vaccination centres are now set up with physical distancing and infection prevention methods. Face masks are required when attending. If you're aged 40 or over, or you're in groups 1, 2, or 3, you can book your vaccinations now, through the Book My Vaccine website, or through the free-phone service: 0800 28 29 26.
Vaccination will be extended to people aged 30+ from 25 August and then to everyone aged 16+ from 1 September.
For the most up-to-date information about vaccination options in Nelson Tasman, please visit www.nmdhb.govt.nz/vaccine.
Testing
Testing is free for people with COVID-19 symptoms in the Nelson Tasman region. If you are unsure of whether you should get a test, call Healthline for advice: 0800 358 5453.
Further testing information including where you can get a COVID-19 test in the Nelson Tasman region is listed here: www.nmdhb.govt.nz/covid-19
Covid-19 Mental health and wellbeing resources and support
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on almost all aspects of our everyday lives, during this time you may be looking for additional ways to support your own and others mental wellbeing.
For more information and where to get help if you it, click here
NZ COVID-19 Tracer App
The Ministry of Health has developed the NZ COVID Tracer app to help the public log and track which businesses and organisations they have visited, and who they have come in contact with. As a business, it is mandatory for you to display the official NZ COVID Tracer QR code for each workplace at all alert levels, or to use an alternative record-keeping system or process that supports contact tracing (such as appointment records or a paper-based sign-in register).
Find out more about your obligations and how to create your QR code poster here.
Other Useful Links
We will continue to keep you updated as best we can but for further information, please refer to the official government websites. These will provide you with the most up to date information as the situation evolves:
- www.covid19.govt.nz – the Government’s website dedicated solely to COVID-19 with links to all information including business, health and travel
- Ministry of Health - health advice
Read The Blog
Nelson Tasman shovel ready infrastructure projects
The Nelson Tasman Region has submitted 27 projects to the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group, the task force set up by the Government to seek out ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy and reduce the economic impact of COVID-19. Fourteen of these were identified as priority projects. The total cost of the prioritised projects is $721.5m and the request from government is $155.4m, collectively representing direct employment of 2,434.
You can’t dine out, so why not dine in with these local favourites?
As the nation enters into alert level 3, the glorious scent of Nelson Tasman cuisine once more begins to fill the air around us, and there's an excited buzz as we all look forward to indulging in some local goodies. To make it easy to show some love to our cafes, restaurants and takeaway businesses, we’ve compiled a growing list of those that are cranking up their ovens for contact-less pick-up and deliveries in the coming weeks.
The Smokehouse: local support crucial
It’s no secret COVID-19 and the alert level 4 lockdown have created a myriad of issues for employers and employees alike, with everyone impacted in some way and to some degree. For Peter Pattullo, the nationwide lockdown has been a period of adaptation to get his business and employees through the months ahead.
How to help those in need during COVID-19
Now more than ever, it's important that we join together as a community and rally around those in need during these difficult times. There are many charities, organisations and website platforms committed to supporting individuals, businesses and families across Aotearoa, and we've put together a handy guide so that you can help make a difference.. Together, let’s unite against COVID-19, he waka eke noa (we're all in this together).
ZOOM backgrounds: A home office to be envious of
Nelson Tasman is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, and we know that those near and far are missing the beauty of our great outdoors right now. Block out the kids and cats behind you in your online meetings with our selection of ZOOM backgrounds, and show your contacts a home office they can be envious of!
Virtual experiences: Nelson Tasman from home
Mother nature is still doing her thing. Nature is resting, and our backyard isn’t going anywhere. In the meantime, we can still experience Nelson Tasman from home. With a range of 360-degree videos, daily time-lapse webcams and virtual tours, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy a few of our most iconic destinations from the comfort of your couch.
Support your local musicians
One thing that Nelson Tasman does incredibly well is create. Whether that’s art, music, food or beverages, the desire to craft extraordinary things is just a part of our local culture. Our expressive community is made up of a range of independent ground-breaking artists and musicians, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds us. Now's the time to show them some love.
Taste Nelson Tasman at home
Whilst our markets and hospitality businesses are closed in the wake of the Level 4 restrictions, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the flavours of Nelson Tasman from the comfort of your own home. Whether it’s a glass of local tipple or some yummy sweet treats, you can still show support to our region’s artisans during the lockdown.
Recipes with a local flavour: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
If lockdown has you feeling like trying something new, you're not the only one! Whether you're tired of whipping up the same meals week after week, are looking for a way to support local businesses, or quite frankly just want to get experimental in the kitchen, we've got a series of recipes that tick all the boxes.
Recipes with a local flavour: Snacks, Desserts and Sweet Treats
If your sweet tooth is tingling (in a good way) and your taste-buds are missing the third course of a restaurant meal, it's probably about time you banish those cravings. Treat yourself to some isolation indulgence and cook up a storm from this selection of recipes with a local twist.
