Applying for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

Applicants should check if projects are likely to qualify for the RIF before applying.

Eligibility for the Regional Infrastructure Fund

• Applicants will either:
  • be invited to apply if they have first discussed projects with Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa – RD) and it determines it is eligible; or
  • after reading the eligibility page, decide to apply.
• The application form can be downloaded here:
  Application form for the Regional Infrastructure Fund [PDF, 1.4 MB]
• If applicants are self-initiating the application process (for example, they were not invited to apply, but believe they are eligible), they will only need to complete 'Section 1' and 'Appendix 1' - the terms and conditions and declarations, and email the application for initial assessment to kanoa@mbie.govt.nz
• If invited to apply, applicants should complete the application in full, and email it to kanoa@mbie.govt.nz
• Applicants will receive acknowledgment following submission.
• Applications will be assessed for eligibility and alignment with RIF objectives.
• Kānoa – RD will then advise whether applications are ineligible or likely eligible for the RIF. Early estimates to hear back on this are approximately two weeks.
• If self-initiated applicants are advised by Kānoa – RD that they are likely eligible for the RIF, they will be invited to complete the remaining Sections 2 to 7 on the application form and email it to kanoa@mbie.govt.nz

• The RIF application form is an editable PDF document.
• It can be edited using Adobe Reader.
• Once edited, the application form should be saved, then emailed to  kanoa@mbie.govt.nz
• If applicants are editing the form on their mobile device, please use the Adobe Acrobat app. Android users can download this app in the Google Play store, and for Apple mobile device users, this is available in the App Store. 
• Alternatively, the form can be printed, completed by hand, scanned, and emailed to kanoa@mbie.govt.nz
• If people have any questions regarding the form, please email kanoa@mbie.govt.nz or contact their Kānoa – RD regional advisor here:
  Contact us

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

• Please be aware, submitting a full application form does not guarantee projects will be approved or receive funding from the RIF.
• If applicants are successful in receiving an approval and a funding offer from the RIF, they may not receive your favoured funding arrangement.

• 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.
• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will 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.
• 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.

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