Starting or Growing a Business

If you're planning to build or renovate, almost everything you build needs to meet the requirements of the Building Act 2004, the Building Code, and a number of standards and regulations.

Explore the information on our Building Consents pages to ensure you're up to date with the latest guidance on building projects in the Thames-Coromandel.

Good to know: You may need to apply for both a building consent and a resource consent. Despite having a building consent, you may not be able to build without a resource consent and vice versa. Applications must be lodged separately and are considered under different legislation.

A resource consent from TCDC is a written approval for you to carry out an activity on a particular site that is not ‘Permitted’ by the District Plan. Activities that are not permitted may have adverse effects upon the environment and/or on people.

How do I know if my activity is 'permitted' or not? How do I know whether I need a resource consent?

The Resource Management Act, the District Plan, National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards provide the planning framework for resource consents. These outline what can be undertaken as a permitted activity, what activities you need resource consent for, and how applications for resource consents are assessed.

If you are unsure about resource consents and what this means for your project, you are welcome to use our enquires and duty planner service to help you better understand the resource consenting process. For larger or more complex developments, we recommend you use our pre-application meeting service.

Good to know: You may need to apply for both a building consent and a resource consent. Despite having a building consent, you may not be able to build without a resource consent and vice versa. Applications must be lodged separately and are considered under different legislation.

Certain types of businesses and business activities may require a license, permit, or concession to operate. These requirements are often set by national legislation, and local rules and bylaws.

If you operate a business involving food, alcohol, events, outdoor dining, mobile trading, activity on council reserves, filming, campgrounds, funeral parlours, and hairdressing you are likely to need a licence, permit, or concession.

No matter what type of business you operate it's always best to check whether you need these permissions to undertake business activities. See more about them and how to apply here: Licences, Permits and Concessions | TCDC

The District Plan controls the way land is used and subdivided in the Thames-Coromandel and what natural and cultural features should be protected. 

It's worth using the District Plan Portal to find out what rules likely apply to your property and could potentially affect development or activities on it.

For the most up to date information on rates, including business rates, see Rates | TCDC.

Business rates are typically comprised of:

• A targeted rate for economic development (district wide), based on the value of improvements, which provides for a medium level of funding for economic development in the district.
• A targeted rate for wastewater disposal set on a differential basis, if you are in an area serviced by wastewater.

Our Council can assist you in working out how to save your business costs, so please feel free to contact us.

When purchasing a new building or business, it is recommended that you obtain a Land Information Memorandum (LIM). This is a report on what the Council know about the land and buildings at your chosen site.

Our SMART Maps portal is also a helpful tool for viewing property related information. It allows you to explore a collection of focused maps that contain a wealth of spatial data. Note: Spatial data is indicative only and should only be used as a guide.

The District Plan provides for home businesses to enable people to work from their home, with the assistance of up to 2 people who do not live there (subject to some other standards). A home business may be a craft, profession or service but it does not include the sale of goods, other than those incidental to the home business (e.g. a hairdresser may sell hair products).

Take a look at the 'Zone Rules' and search 'home business' in the District Plan Portal - E-Plan to find out more about business rules within the District Plan. You can also find out what rules may apply to your property.

If your proposed business activity does not meet the definition and requirements of a 'home business' in the District Plan, a resource consent may be needed. We advise enlisting relevant expertise to provide advice on your specific situation.

You can also contact us with plan and rule related enquiries and may be able to use our free short duty planner service: Enquiries and Duty Planner | TCDC

To view more frequently asked questions about the District Plan check out: District Plan Review Project - Frequently Asked Questions | TCDC

Our Long Term Plan is the document which sets out Council's vision, objectives and work programme for the next 10 years, with a detailed focus on the first three years. The Long Term Plan is redrawn every three years. Many of the major projects and initiatives focus on Economic Development outcomes.

Development contributions are the levies charged by Council that go towards paying for the additional cost of community and infrastructure needed as a result of development on our peninsula. If you are planning a subdivision, an extension to a property or a property development, you may need to pay a development contribution to Council.

Find out more about our Development Contributions Policy | TCDC.

Includes finance and legal resources 

Business.govt.nz - tools and expert advice from government and industry, designed to help Kiwi businesses save time and succeed. 

Connected – a central platform showing financial options and initiatives available to support your business and staff, particularly related to hiring and training employees.

Startup NZ Entrepreneurs Programme (thinkific.com) – a 'first step' programme (online) to prepare new business owners mentally and emotionally for the business building journey - first three courses are free. 

Ministry of Awesome - a force for high-growth startups and innovators in Aotearoa. They drive startup ambition, build capability, and support success for early-stage NZ founders and startups with global ambitions. 

Startup Aotearoa – provides one-to-one support to startup founders, including free coaching sessions, tailored to the needs of the founder, but typically focuses on product-market fit, idea validation, pitch preparation, business planning and funding avenues. 

Soda's Business Fundamentals platform has short online courses to help aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners succeed. These courses provide the necessary tools and frameworks to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners through all the steps of being a business owner. Topics include: Your Business Vision & Goals, Market Validation & Fit, Money Matters, Crafting Your Brand & Competitive Edge, Marketing & Sales, Legal, Compliance & Future Planning.

See also for innovators and entrepreneurs – CreativeHQ, The Factory, and Soda Inc. 

Business Mentors New Zealand – an independent not-for-profit mentoring service committed to supporting the success of small business owners, start-up entrepreneurs and social enterprise decision-makers. 

Soda Inc - helps businesses to grow, offering a range of services: 1-1 business capability training, group workshops, and speaker series.

Digital Boost– free learning hub with short videos, live events, and expert advice that you can implement straight away.

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs – helping 15-24-year-olds in and into employment. Get in touch with workforce@tcdc.govt.nz if you would like assistance gaining subsidies for new young recruits, training opportunities for supervisors and employers of young people, or would like help sourcing work-ready candidates to interview. 

Ministry of Social Development, Work and Income – has a range of services for employers and can help you recruit great people. Supports include recruitment services, support for new employees and redundancy support for employers.

Connected – a central place for information from the New Zealand Government, relating to Employment, Education and Training. 

Recruitment agencies (ideally who are members of the RCSA) – these agencies can provide recruitment advice and staffing solutions.

Talk to a business broker –Link is worth a look.