Business Growth

Our Business Growth team supports local businesses in their growth and innovation and fosters a stronger, more connected regional business community.

How we can help

Our team operates across the entire Tairāwhiti region and assists businesses in connecting with the right people, advice, and resources they need to grow.

Contact us

Strengthen and grow your business
As the local delivery agency for the Regional Business Partner Network, Trust Tairāwhiti offers a range of services to strengthen and grow businesses.
We have dedicated business growth advisors who can help you navigate the range of support available and connect you with the right people, information and resources to support your next step.
The RBP management capability fund helps businesses access training and coaching services so that business owners can access development opportunities across a wide range of areas, including marketing, finance, leadership, and sustainability.

Visit Regional Business Partner

https://www.business.govt.nz/how-to-grow/regional-business-partner-network/
Innovation, research and development
New Zealand’s innovation agency, Te Pokapū Auaha Callaghan Innovation empowers the innovators and entrepreneurs of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The organisation’s primary mandate is to activate innovation and accelerate commercialisation to help businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand.
As the regional partner for Callaghan Innovation, the Trust’s business growth team can help connect you to funding and scientific expertise, R&D support, collaboration between researchers, scientists, and industry and support the commercialisation of ideas with positive impact.

Visit Callaghan Innovation

https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/
Workforce development
We engage with local employers, schools and training providers to boost the regional workforce and support quality, well-paid job creation.
A strong workforce with a diverse mix of skills and experience is key to the sustainability of our businesses and the wider economy.
The Trust is a member of CARE – Care Action Reciprocity leading to Employment – a local forum that oversees workforce capacity and capability. Cabinet also appointed CARE as the Regional Skills Leadership Group for Tairāwhiti, which is a nationwide initiative to meet future skills and workforce needs.

Regional Workforce Plans

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/employment-and-skills/regional-skills-leadership-groups/tairawhiti/regional-workforce-plans/
Feasibility Fund
The Trust’s Feasibility Fund enables research to assess the viability and potential success of projects that aspire to benefit communities and economic growth in Tairāwhiti.
It supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators to develop feasibility studies, or business cases to determine investment potential. Projects should aim to attract investment from both the Government and private sector, studying new and emerging opportunities. Please note this fund is solely for research and feasibility purposes and can’t be used for any operational or capital expenditure.
There’s no shortage of business innovation in Tairāwhiti, and we’ve had a huge demand for the Trust’s Feasibility Fund! Consequently, this year’s fund is nearing full allocation. You can still apply, but please be advised remaining funds are limited.

Read application guidelines
Apply now

Business resources

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Contact us

Our people

Joe Williams

Business Growth and Innovation Manager
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Karen Fenn

Business Growth Advisor
Connect by Email Connect by Phone
Ora Te Hau

Business Growth Advisor
Connect by Email Connect by Phone
Daljeet Cameron

Business Growth Advisor
Connect by Email Connect by Phone

Find out more

Business resources

Find what you are looking for. Useful links and online business resources.
Economic insights

We engage Infometrics to provide insights from the latest economic data and trends. The quarterly economic monitor provides a focused and timely insight into how the Tairāwhiti economy has performed…
Tourism

As the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) we are tasked with managing tourism and its opportunities and impacts for the benefit of Tairāwhiti communities.
Tourism resources

As the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) we are tasked with managing tourism and its opportunities and impacts for the benefit of Tairāwhiti communities.

Trust Tāirawhiti

Investing in the wellbeing of Tairāwhiti

Our Business Growth team supports local businesses in their growth and innovation and fosters a stronger, more connected regional business community.

How we can help

Strengthen and grow your business

Innovation, research and development

Workforce development

Feasibility Fund

Business resources

Contact us

Our people

Joe Williams

Karen Fenn

Ora Te Hau

Daljeet Cameron

Find out more

Business resources

Economic insights

Tourism

Tourism resources