MBIE AI Advisory Pilot: Get Up to $15,000 Co-Funding to Put AI to Work in Your Business
Eligible New Zealand small businesses can access government co-funding of up to 50% for a practical AI roadmap and, in some cases, implementation. The pilot is delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network and has been extended to 30 June 2027.
What is the MBIE AI Advisory Pilot?
The MBIE AI Advisory Pilot is an RBPN-delivered programme that helps eligible New Zealand small businesses identify practical AI uses, develop a tailored roadmap and potentially implement it. Government co-funding covers up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $2,500 excluding GST for the roadmap and $12,500 excluding GST for implementation, or $15,000 in total. The pilot is open until 30 June 2027, subject to limited places, assessment and approval. Completing a roadmap does not guarantee implementation funding.
The programme has just been extended
Further small businesses announced for expert support.
Around 150 businesses had already joined since the pilot launched in January. The 22 September update added more places and moved the end date to 30 June 2027.
The stated gap is practical: small-business owners can see that AI may save time and money, but often lack the time or in-house expertise to know where to start.
How the $15,000 co-funding actually works
| Stage | What it can include | Maximum contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 · AI roadmap | Assessment, opportunities, priority use cases, recommended tools, costs and benefits, and implementation steps. | $2,500 excl. GST |
| Part 2 · Implementation | Tool setup, integrations, process improvement, testing and refinement, staff training, and change support. | $12,500 excl. GST |
| Total | Roadmap plus an approved implementation project. | $15,000 |
The government contribution is up to 50% of eligible costs, and the business contributes the balance. Completing Part 1 does not guarantee Part 2 funding.
Could your business qualify?
- 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Registered for GST in New Zealand
- Has a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
- Actively trading in New Zealand
- Registered with the Regional Business Partner Network
- Can commit the time and resources needed for the project
- Willing to contribute to eligible project costs
- Has a business problem or opportunity where AI could help
Start with the business problem, not the AI tool.
Admin and repetitive work
What good looks like: Routine handling, entry and follow-up take less staff time without losing oversight.
Reporting and forecasting
What good looks like: Leaders get useful information sooner and can see the assumptions behind it.
Knowledge and search
What good looks like: People can find reliable answers across approved business information without searching multiple systems.
Customer service
What good looks like: Straightforward enquiries are answered faster, with a clear path to a person when judgement is needed.
Sales and marketing
What good looks like: Enquiries, quotes and follow-up move sooner while the team keeps control of important conversations.
Operations and planning
What good looks like: Work is prioritised with better visibility, fewer handoffs and less avoidable rework.
These are practical examples, not a statement that every project or cost is fundable. Eligibility is assessed through the programme.
Don't buy AI. Fix the work that is slowing the business down.
AI projects fail when they begin with “Which AI tool should we buy?” The better starting point is where the business is losing time, opportunity, margin or momentum.
Then assess whether the right answer is AI, automation, better process design or a combination. The technology matters, but only after the result is clear.
AI is the tool. Automation is the tool. Optimisation is the outcome.
How to apply for the AI Advisory Pilot
Register with the RBPN
Join the Regional Business Partner Network through the official programme process.
Meet a growth advisor
Discuss the business, the problem and whether the pilot may be suitable.
Complete an AI readiness assessment
Establish the starting point, constraints and readiness to proceed.
Work with an approved AI service provider
The programme matches eligible businesses through its approved provider process.
Create the roadmap
Identify opportunities, priority use cases, tools, expected costs and benefits, and implementation steps.
Apply for implementation support
Part 2 is a separate application and is not automatic after the roadmap.
Share results
Participating businesses contribute findings from the pilot so the programme can learn what works.
What the programme doesn't cover
- Creating or selling AI products or services to customers
- General software or product creation
- Projects already underway or completed
- Hardware purchases
- Stand-alone AI training
- Normal operating costs
- Activities that do not improve business operations
Check the current programme page and speak with your Regional Business Partner before assuming a particular activity or cost is eligible.
How Leadica would think about your roadmap
A roadmap should not be a list of shiny tools. It should explain which business problem matters, how the current work operates, what a better result is worth, what should change and how the result will be measured.
Find the drag
Locate the work consuming time, delaying customers, obscuring decisions or costing opportunities.
Quantify the value
Define what a worthwhile result would change in time, revenue, margin, service or capacity.
Prioritise sensibly
Start with higher-value, lower-risk opportunities rather than the most impressive technology.
Design the whole system
Combine AI, automation, human judgement and the software the business already owns.
Implement carefully
Test real cases, protect data, plan the human fallback and make ownership clear.
Optimise the result
Track the commercial outcome, learn from actual use and improve the system over time.
Leadica offers independent practical advice. We do not administer the programme, approve applications or represent ourselves here as an approved programme provider.
Practical AI also needs to be responsible AI
A useful implementation considers privacy, what data enters each system, security, human accountability and whether the technology is fit for the actual job.
That means deciding who can use it, where its information comes from, what must be checked by a person, how errors are handled and what records should be kept. This is practical operating discipline, not legal advice.
Questions about the MBIE AI Advisory Pilot
Is the MBIE AI Advisory Pilot still open?
The pilot is scheduled to run until 30 June 2027. Places and funding are limited, so confirm current availability with your Regional Business Partner before making plans.
How much AI funding can a NZ small business get?
Government co-funding can cover up to 50% of eligible costs: up to $2,500 excluding GST for Part 1, the AI roadmap, and up to $12,500 excluding GST for Part 2 implementation. The combined maximum government contribution is $15,000.
Who is eligible for the AI Advisory Pilot?
The published criteria include 50 or fewer FTE employees, NZ GST registration, an NZBN, active trading, RBPN registration, capacity to commit time and resources, willingness to contribute to project costs, and a business problem or opportunity where AI could help. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee a place.
Do I need to already use AI?
No. The programme is designed to help eligible businesses identify practical AI opportunities and create a tailored roadmap, including businesses that do not yet use AI.
Does the pilot pay for AI software licences?
Eligible implementation may include tool setup and related project costs, but normal operating costs are excluded. Confirm whether a particular licence or subscription is eligible with your Regional Business Partner before committing.
Does roadmap funding guarantee implementation funding?
No. Completing Part 1 does not automatically guarantee Part 2 support. Implementation funding requires a separate application and approval.
Can the pilot pay for staff AI training?
Stand-alone AI training is excluded. Training and change support connected to an approved implementation may form part of Part 2, subject to RBPN approval.
Where do I apply?
Register with the Regional Business Partner Network and meet a growth advisor. The official programme page explains the current process and connects you to the appropriate regional partner.
What changed in September 2026?
On 22 September 2026 the Government announced a further 120 places and extended the pilot until 30 June 2027. Around 150 businesses had already joined since the January launch.
Is the funding paid as cash to my business?
Do not assume it is a cash grant paid directly to your business. The programme provides co-funding for approved eligible costs through the RBPN process. Confirm payment and contracting arrangements with your Regional Business Partner.
Can AI implementation include integrations with existing systems?
Part 2 can include tool setup, integrations, process improvement, testing and refinement where approved as part of the implementation roadmap. Eligibility is assessed through the programme.
What should I prepare before speaking with my Regional Business Partner?
Prepare one or two clearly defined business problems, the people and systems involved, the time or opportunity currently lost, the result you want, and your ability to contribute time, resources and your share of eligible project costs.
Official sources used for this guide
- Business.govt.nz: current AI Advisory Pilot programme page
- Beehive: Government extension update, 22 September 2026
- MBIE: programme expansion update, 15 May 2026
- MBIE: Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses
Last checked by Leadica: 24 September 2026. Programme details can change. Confirm current eligibility and funding with your Regional Business Partner.
Practical AI, measured in business value
Leadica helps New Zealand businesses identify where AI and automation can create real commercial value, then design systems that reduce repetitive work, improve customer response, strengthen sales follow-up and make better use of business data.
Phil Dossett
Leadica Managing DirectorBachelor of Commerce in Marketing, with previous corporate Quality Assurance training experience. This review does not imply government or RBPN accreditation.
What would AI be worth if it fixed the right problem?
Bring us one process that is slow, repetitive, frustrating or costing you opportunities. We'll help you turn it into a practical AI/automation use case and clarify the next step.