Applying for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is open for regional New Zealand to apply.

Regional Infrastructure Fund application process

The Regional Infrastructure Fund application process has moved to an online form on Business Connect, the online platform where businesses can manage licences and permits from across government in one place.

If you have started the process using the original PDF formatted Regional Infrastructure Fund application form, you can still email this to kanoa@mbie.govt.nz.

Below you will find a guide for how to apply for the Regional Infrastructure Fund on Business Connect.

Before spending time filling out an application form, check if your project is likely to qualify for the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Eligibility for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

Application process

There are two ways to apply for the Regional Infrastructure Fund using Business Connect, as described below:

Option 1 – You are invited to apply

If you have discussed your project with Kānoa - RD and been invited to apply to the Regional Infrastructure Fund, open the Regional Infrastructure Fund application on Business Connect and confirm by clicking ‘yes’ you have been invited to apply. This will allow you to complete a full Regional Infrastructure Fund application.

Option 2 – You decide to apply

If, after reading the eligibility page, you believe you may qualify for the Regional Infrastructure Fund, open the Regional Infrastructure Fund application on Business Connect and confirm by clicking ‘no’ you have not been invited to apply. This will allow you to complete a reduced Regional Infrastructure Fund application designed to test eligibility.

Eligibility for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

Kānoa – RD will advise whether your application is either ineligible or likely eligible for the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Kānoa – RD expects to respond in 10 working days.

If your project is likely eligible for the Regional Infrastructure Fund, you will be invited to complete the remainder of the full application on Business Connect.

Managing expectations

Submitting a full application form does not guarantee your project will be approved or receive funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
If you are successful in receiving an approval and a funding offer from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, you may not receive your favoured funding arrangement.

Decision timeframes

Early estimates are to have final decisions within 3 months of receipt of Kānoa – RD receiving a fully completed application from applicants.

How to apply

To access the Regional Infrastructure Fund application form on Business Connect, you will need to either create a RealMe account or use your existing RealMe account.
Regional Infrastructure Fund application form - Business Connect
Once you have successfully logged into Business Connect with your RealMe account, you will be prompted to create an account with Business Connect.
After completing your Business Connect account setup, you will find a banner at the top of the page directing you to the Regional Infrastructure Fund application.
When you open the application, confirm ‘yes’ or ‘no’ whether you have been invited by Kānoa – RD to apply. This will ensure you are filling out the correct form for your situation, either a full application or a reduced application designed to test eligibility.
Complete the Regional Infrastructure Fund application form, and if required, upload any necessary supporting documents.
Once complete, click on the “Review” button to proceed.
Once you have reviewed your answers, you will then be able to submit your application.
You will receive an email confirming the application has been submitted with information on next steps.
Your completed Regional Infrastructure Fund application can then be found in the “Submitted” tab under My applications.

For detailed “how to” instructions about registering for RealMe, and completing the Business Connect form.

Creating a RealMe account

When you open Business Connect, you will be prompted to log in.

If you already have a RealMe account, you can login using your RealMe details on the left side of the screen.

If you do not have a RealMe account, you will need to create a RealMe login, using the option on the right side. Complete the details as prompted.

Once you have your RealMe account set up, or have logged in with RealMe, you will be prompted to create a Business Connect account.

Once you have your Business Connect login details, you can log into Business Connect.

Completing an application

Finding the required application

Once you have successfully logged into Business Connect, you will find a banner at the top of the page directing you to the Regional Infrastructure Fund application.

Navigating the application

Once you have clicked on the Regional Infrastructure Fund application, you will need to take your time answering the questions. Progress through each page until you reach the bottom.

You will be able to navigate the application form here with the available button detailed below.

Start/Continue/Next – allows you to progress to the next page of the application.
Back – allows you to return to the previous page of the application.
Cancel – cancel the current progress of your application and return you to the Dashboard.
Save – allows you to save your progress and return at another time to complete.

Business Connect will save your answers, so you will not need to re-enter them if you need to navigate back-and-forth between pages.

If you leave your application unattended for 60 minutes, the form will save and exit. You will be able to login and continue this form again.

Submitting the application

Once you have answered all the questions in the application and have reached the last page, click on the “Review” button to proceed. This will take you to a page where you can review the questions and all the answers you have provided. If you need to amend any of your answers, you can use the back button to navigate to the page required.

Once you have reviewed your answers, you will then be able to submit your application. You will receive an email confirming the application has been submitted and with information on next steps.

Your completed Regional Infrastructure Fund application can then be found in the “Submitted” tab under My applications.

Terms and conditions

View the terms and conditions for a Regional Infrastructure Fund application.

Regional Infrastructure Fund Terms and Conditions [PDF, 211 KB]

If you have any further questions regarding the Business Connect form, or the original PDF formatted Regional Infrastructure Fund application form, you can email kanoa@mbie.govt.nz or contact your Kānoa – RD regional advisor.

Evaluation and consideration process

Applications will be formally evaluated against eligibility criteria.
As part of the evaluation, Kānoa – RD officials will undertake standard due diligence and financial due diligence processes.
Kānoa – RD may seek independent commercial advice when considering the proposal's viability.
Senior government officials are able to make decisions on eligible grant investments of up to $3 million.
The Regional Development Ministerial Group (RDMG) will make decisions regarding eligible loan and equity investments up to $35 million and grants over $3 million. Note - grants of any amount will only be considered under extremely limited circumstances.
Cabinet will make decisions on all eligible investments over $35 million recommended by the RDMG.
Applicants will receive a letter notifying them of the outcome of processing their application following a formal decision.

Executing the funding agreement

Following funding approval, successful applicants will receive a formal notification letter from Kānoa – RD (including any conditions of the approval). Kānoa – RD will engage with successful applicants to commence funding contract negotiations and next steps.