New Zealand launches Funding Explorer to streamline business grants

The New Zealand government has unveiled an upgraded online platform called Funding Explorer. The tool consolidates 15 funding opportunities from seven government agencies into a single searchable database, allowing businesses to locate grants, loans and equity schemes that total about NZ$400 million each year.

Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer said the service will cut the time entrepreneurs spend navigating multiple websites, helping them focus on growth, research and export expansion. The platform was developed after a cross‑government review identified fragmentation in the existing funding system. It joins other digital services such as ONECheck and the Employment Agreement Builder, which together recorded 6.2 million user interactions and a 91 % satisfaction rate.

Industry groups, including Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, welcomed the launch, noting that easier access to funding removes a key barrier for manufacturers and other small firms.