When Does RBP Funding Make Sense for an Auckland Business?
Updated: May 17
When Does RBP Funding Make Sense for an Auckland Business?
RBP co-funding makes sense when you have already decided that a structured business advisory engagement is the right move for your business, and the funding reduces the financial barrier to starting. It does not make sense as the primary reason to engage. RBP stands for Regional Business Partners, administered by the New Zealand government through regional economic development agencies. Around 50% of new Strategize Auckland clients qualify for co-funding in their first three months.
In short: RBP co-funding is a capability-building subsidy for eligible NZ businesses that offsets part of the investment in a business advisory engagement. The funding should accelerate a decision you were already making — not manufacture a reason to engage.
What RBP co-funding actually is
The Regional Business Partners Network is a government-funded programme that connects New Zealand businesses with accredited advisors and provides co-funding for capability-building activities. It is not a grant that pays for advisory in full. It is a co-funding arrangement — the business invests alongside the subsidy.
Strategize Auckland is an accredited RBP provider. When a client is eligible and the engagement qualifies, the co-funding offsets a portion of the programme investment during the first three months.
When RBP funding makes sense
You have already decided the engagement is right for your business. You are starting a business advisory engagement for the first time. You are in a growth or transition phase.
When RBP funding does not make sense
You are not eligible. The funding is the only reason you are considering the engagement. You want to apply the funding to something other than structured advisory.
How the Strategize RBP process works
Oniesha, our full-time administrator, handles the RBP application for every client who may be eligible. The process: initial conversation with Steven Parker, eligibility assessment by Oniesha, application submission, approval typically within one to two weeks, and co-funding applied from the beginning of the programme.
You do not need to navigate the RBP process yourself.
Eligibility in plain terms
The RBP programme is primarily aimed at New Zealand-based businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees. Key eligibility factors: registered and operating in New Zealand, fewer than 50 FTEs, not in an excluded industry (financial services, real estate, some primary sector activities), and able to demonstrate a capability need.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of the advisory investment does RBP co-funding cover? The co-funding rate varies by region and engagement type, but is typically a meaningful offset of the first three months of the programme investment.
How long does the RBP application take? Our administrator Oniesha handles the application and it typically completes within one to two weeks.
Can I apply for RBP funding myself, without using Strategize? Yes — the RBP programme has a range of accredited providers and you can engage any of them. Strategize Auckland is one accredited option.
What happens after the first three months when RBP co-funding ends? The co-funding applies to the initial capability-building phase. After that, the full programme investment continues at the agreed rate.
Is there a risk the funding application gets declined? Yes, eligibility is assessed, not automatic. If you do not qualify, you will know quickly.
Does Strategize only work with businesses that get RBP funding? No. Around half of new clients use RBP co-funding. The other half engage without it.
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