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Business Loans in New Zealand

We compare 8 offers. Updated 18 Oct 2026.

Best Business Loans 2026

ANZ

Amount, $3 000 - $40 000 ;Term,6 months - 7 years

$3,000 – $40,000 Rate from 12.90% Approval: 6 months - 7 years
★★★★☆ 4.0

Avanti Finance

Amount, $1 000 - $100 000 ;Term, 1 - 5 years

$1,000 – $100,000 Rate from 7.00% Approval: 1 - 5 years
★★★★☆ 4.0

Harmoney

Amount, $2 000 - $50 000 ;Term, 3 - 5 years

$2,000 – $50,000 Rate from 6.99% Approval: 3 - 5 years
★★★★☆ 4.0

Loansmart

Amount, $1 000 - $10 000 ;Term, 6 - 60 months

$1,000 – $10,000 Rate from 13.95% Approval: 6 - 60 months
★★★★☆ 4.0

Prospa Business Loan

Prospa specialises in small business loans in NZ, with fast online applications and same-day funding for eligible businesses.

$5,000 – $150,000 Rate from 9.90% Approval: Same day
★★★★★ 4.2

Financing options for NZ businesses

A business loan provides capital for equipment, inventory, cash flow or expansion. New Zealand businesses can borrow from banks, specialist business lenders and government-backed schemes. Amounts range from $5,000 for a small working capital loan to several million dollars for commercial property or large equipment purchases.

Unsecured business loans are available up to around $250,000 without requiring property as security. Lenders assess your business revenue, trading history and credit profile. Prospa and Heartland Bank are active in this space. Secured loans use business assets or property as collateral and typically offer higher limits and lower rates.

Key terms to understand

Business loan terms in NZ range from 3 months to 15 years depending on the purpose. A short-term loan suits a seasonal cash flow gap; a long-term loan suits equipment that will generate revenue for years. Check the comparison rate, not just the headline rate. Factor fees into your cost calculations. Some lenders charge a monthly or annual facility fee on top of interest.

The government-backed Business Finance Guarantee Scheme and NZTE grants may also be worth exploring before taking on commercial debt. Talk to your accountant before committing to any business borrowing.

How much can a small business actually borrow?

For a business with under two years of trading history, lenders typically cap unsecured lending well below the $250,000 ceiling mentioned above, often in the $5,000 to $50,000 range, based on monthly revenue rather than just a credit score. Established businesses with several years of trading and clean financials can access higher unsecured limits or move to secured lending for larger amounts.

What documents does a lender ask for?

Expect to provide recent business bank statements (usually 3 to 6 months), your IRD number, and basic financials if you are applying for a larger facility. Online lenders can often assess and fund a smaller loan within a day or two using bank statement data alone, while bank business loans typically take longer and require more documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions – Business Loans

Yes, though options are more limited in the first year or two of trading. Online lenders often look at monthly revenue and bank statements rather than requiring years of financials, with smaller unsecured amounts available sooner than large secured facilities.
An unsecured business loan does not require property or assets as collateral but is capped at a lower amount and a higher rate. A secured loan uses business or personal assets as security, which usually unlocks a larger amount at a lower rate.