Waikato Business Support Service
Te Waka, in partnership with Hamilton City Council and District Council’s across the Waikato established the Waikato Business Support Service during Alert Level 4 lockdown to help businesses survive, revive and grow post COVID-19.
The purpose of the Waikato Business Support Service was to provide advice and assistance to businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis through a phone-based support service.
The Waikato Business Support Service included the:
- Implementation of a dedicated Call In/Out system
- A funding partnership (seed funding) from Hamilton City Council
- Partnership agreements with direct system engagement with Otorohanga, Waipa, Thames-Coromandel and Waitomo District Councils
- Shared reports and information with Council partners and local, regional and national agencies
- Establishment of an online presence for the service and media/newsletter communications direct to business
The Waikato Business Support Service and our dedicated Regional Business Partner Team supported in excess of 500 Waikato businesses during Alert Level 4 and in excess of 800 Waikato businesses during Alert Level 3. We have also produced snapshots of the regional business response to the Alert Levels which you can find here and here.
Looking ahead, Te Waka will continue to review the services and support offered. Additional funding for Covid-19 support was released on the 14th of July and the Waikato Business Support Network (an evolution of the Support Service) and regional partners will continue to assess and assist businesses to receive support where needed.
Contact Michelle Hollands - Strategic Partnerships and Project Manager
News
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1300 Waikato businesses access support and $1.4M of funding during lockdown
Te Waka distributed more than $1.4 million in Government COVID-19 recovery funding during Alert Levels 3 and 4.
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Waikato's Business Alert Level 3 Response
Following discussions with Waikato businesses over the period from 28 April to 13 May, the following snapshot of the regional business response to Alert Level 3 has been created.
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Waikato's Business Alert Level 4 Response
Following discussions with Waikato businesses over the period from 13 April to 24 April, the following snapshot of the regional business response to Alert Level 4 has been created.
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New support centre launched to buffer Hamilton businesses
Hamilton businesses will from today benefit from a new phone-based support centre that will provide advice and assistance to organisations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
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Guidance for employers navigating the impact of COVID-19
In the past weeks, the Government has introduced an Economic Relief Package which contains a number of resources aimed at keeping employees in employment by relieving some of the strain on those businesses employing them.
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Free Job-Matching Website launches for Waikato people
The aptly named “Waikato Nxtstep” website is where Waikato businesses can list their vacancies and job seekers can list themselves.
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Being Proactive and Reaching Out
For business owners vigilance is required and the old age of Cash is King rings very true at this time. So what can we do to respond?
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Waikato business community rallies to protect their own from COVID-19 fallout
The region’s economic development agency, Te Waka, will lead delivery of this economic support to Waikato businesses affected by COVID-19 on behalf of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).