Tararua’s rural businesses, primary producers and farms impacted by the North Island Weather Events, including Cyclone Gabrielle, have until the 8^th of September to submit Expressions of Interest and initial applications for the North Island Weather Event (NIWE) Primary Producer Finance Scheme with Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit

The NIWE Primary Producer Finance Scheme is one of the two new financial support schemes available, with both schemes targeted at businesses in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, Tararua, and Wairarapa.

The NIWE Primary Producer Finance Scheme provides concessionary loans and equity finance to severely impacted, land-based primary sector businesses, such as farms and orchards. The scheme went live on 31 July 2023 and will be open until 8 September 2023.

Farmers and growers who are unsure whether they qualify or who may not have all the information needed for a full application at this stage, are encouraged to put forward an Expression of Interest.

More information, including Expressions of Interest and application forms can be found at the Grow Regions website, https://www.growregions.govt.nz/new-funding/niwe-primary-producer-finance-scheme/, or farmers and growers can get more information directly from Terence Curran, Principal Regional Advisor on 029-249-5341. Terence can offer assistance completing an Expression of Interest or answer questions about the NIWE Primary Producer Finance Scheme.

The second scheme available to affected farmers and growers is the NIWE Loan Guarantee Scheme, which enables commercial lenders to provide loans to highly affected businesses across all sectors with more favourable terms, such as reduced interest rates.

The NIWE Loan Guarantee Scheme also went live on 31 July 2023, and loans supported by this scheme are available until 30 June 2024, for a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue. For more information, farmers and growers are encouraged to contact their bank or usual lender, or read the Treasury website for further information. https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/other-services/north-island-weather-events-loan-guarantee-scheme