Business Support Services
Tauawhi Pakihi
Business Support Services
Tauawhi Pakihi
Our economic development advisors are committed to working closely with local businesses as part of Waikato District Council's focus on business growth and sustainability. We want to grow wealth and prosperity in our local economy and we do this by supporting our businesses to take advantage of opportunities to grow and innovate.
With over 11,000 businesses operating in the Waikato district, we recognise small to medium businesses are the economic foundation of our communities.
We encourage you to look at the range of business support services on offer. Our team are available to help you connect with the right service for your business.
Connect
Our team are here to help
Our advisors work closely with partners and regional stakeholders to provide local business support and training, and we can provide guidance on how to navigate local regulatory processes.
Connect with one of our friendly economic development team to see how we can help your business.
Partner and Agency Support
Services to help strengthen and grow local business
We encourage local businesses to take advantage of the free or low-cost resources and networks that support business growth and sustainability.
Soda Inc
Supporting Waikato district businesses to grow
We are proud to partner with the team at Soda Inc who support small to medium businesses in the Waikato district to thrive.
Reach out to the team at Soda to see what support is on offer to help you to grow your business.
business.govt.nz
Helping businesses with the tools to succeed
Business.govt.nz is a free and comprehensive online platform developed by central government. The website contains invaluable free advice, information and useful templates covering all areas of business management and operations.
Business Mentors
Trusted business support
The Business Mentors programme is a trusted service that offers business owners 12 months of business support for a one-off fee of $295 +GST.
Business Networks & Membership Groups
Network, connect, collaborate
Waikato Chamber of Commerce
Connect, grow, inspire, represent
Waikato District Council has a strong partnership with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce. We want to ensure our local businesses benefit from being part of the vibrant chamber business network.
Tuakau Business Association
Connecting businesses in the North Waikato
The Tuakau Business Association aims to support and promote all local businesses through networking events and advocacy.
If you are interested in joining the TBA please reach out to one of their friendly board to find out more.
Raglan Business Chamber
Raglan, a thriving and innovative business community
The Raglan Business Chamber works on behalf of members to connect businesses both locally and beyond and is strong in the advocacy space for local business. If you would like to know how to become a member please contact their team to find out more.
Employers and Manufacturers Association
Arming New Zealand business with knowledge, wisdom and connections
The EMA represents and supports over 76,000 member companies in New Zealand. As champions of commercial ambition and acumen, they use their insights and expertise to make connections that will create growth opportunities for members.
Te Huumeka
Waikato Maaori Business Network Inc.
Te Huumeka Maaori Business Network works to provide platforms for Maaori Businesses in Waikato to network at a local, national and international scale. Reach out to the team to find out how to become a member and expand your networks.
Waikato Pacific Business Network
Building more sustainable and profitable pacific owned businesses
The WPBN works to “connect, share and empower” members by organising networking events, bi-monthly newsletters and members’ evenings. The aim is to provide an environment where knowledge is shared and business connections are made.
With Pacific people making up 30% of the Waikato population and still growing today; the Network provides a platform, service, connections and tools for Pacific businesses.
Innovation and Research and Development
Connect with New Zealand's Innovation Agency
Callaghan Innovation
New Zealand's innovation agency
More than ever innovation is required to drive economic advancement and support productivity. New Zealand's innovation agency is set up to support kiwis to research, develop, test and scale their ideas.
Maaori Business Support
Growing the Maaori Economy
Maaori Business Support
Growing the Maaori economy
Maaori values of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, and whanaungatanga create a flourishing local business landscape that supports economic development and strengthens our communities.
With the Maaori economy now estimated to be be valued at over $70 billion dollars it is a significant contributor to the wider New Zealand economy.
In partnership with Waikato-Tainui Puna Pakihi team and our Maaori business support partners we’re committed to encouraging an environment where Maaori businesses can thrive.
We invite Maaori entrepreneurs to explore the opportunities the Waikato district offers for growth, innovation, and collaboration.
Waikato-Tainui Tribal Business Support
Puna Pakihi tribal business register and business support services
The Tainui people have an enduring entrepreneurial history. To support tribal members in business Waikato-Tainui have a dedicated team that work alongside tribal pakihi. This service includes access to the Puna Pakihi tribal business register. If you are a tribal business operator we encourage you to find out more about the services on offer.
Te Puni Kookiri Enterprise Support
Supporting Pakihi Maaori
Te Puni Kōkiri offer a range of business support services for pakihi Maaori including working with MBIE on progressive procurement opportunties.
Maaori Woman's Development Inc
Supporting waahine Maaori in business
MWDI Supports waahine Maaori and their whaanau in business. They provide micro-loans, business coaching and financial capability programmes.
Poutama Trust
Helping Maaori business across Aotearoa
Poutama is an independent charitable trust that provides business development services to Maaori. Poutama strives to create an environment for successful business ventures and economic growth for Maaori. There are a number of different services the the Poutama team offer, please take some time to look and their website to find out what support is available for your pakihi.
Support for Export Businesses
Taking Waikato district to the World
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Supporting New Zealand's Export Businesses
Export trade is critical to New Zealand’s economy. It contributes $95 billion to the economy and supports 1 in 4 jobs.
The NZ Government has a goal of doubling the value of exports in the next ten years. NZTE along with others, have an important role in supporting this.
NZTE works with all kinds of innovative businesses, including food producers, Maaori land trusts and iwi, tech startups, service providers, manufacturers and more.
Waikato Chamber of Commerce
Export Documentation Service
The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is the authorised agent for export documentation.
The team are able to electronically or manually certify and return export documents to you from 9am – 4pm, Mon – Fri, however, arrangements can be made for special hours by request. Find out more about this service by clicking the link below.
Social Enterprise and Social Impact Business
Shaping a Better Future
Momentum Waikato
Generosity that Delivers - Now and Forever
To help nurture and build the strength and capacity of Waikato’s communities, Momentum Waikato connects generous donors with proven charities and projects across the Waikato region.
The Impact Initiative
Impact is the Future of Business
The Impact Initiative is the online home of the Social Enterprise Sector Development Programme, a partnership programme between the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ākina Foundation that ran between March 2018 and March 2021.
The programme was focused on supporting the overall conditions for a thriving social enterprise sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, and determining how the Government can support social enterprise into the future.
Impact Hub Waikato
No Better Future without Better Business
Impact Hub Waikato believes that humanity’s greatest challenges will never be solved alone - we need to work together, to build a future where business and profit work in support of people and the planet. By collaborating across organisations, cultures and generations, we can generate powerful impact toward the SDGs, rebuild our economy, and reimagine our shared future. Their team are on a mission to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that inspires, enables and connects people using business as a force for good to create positive impact at scale.
Ākina
Aotearoa New Zealand's Leading Impact Consultancy
Ākina helps businesses, government agencies, social and community enterprises uncover the best ways to tackle challenges like poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.
