7. Question No. 7—Small BusinessJO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister for Small BusinessQuestion No. 7—Small Business7. JO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister for Small Business: What support has the Government provided to small businesses to help them adapt and innovate to deal with the impacts of COVID-19?Hon STUART NASH (Minister for Small Business): The Government is taking decisive and considered action to support small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through a once-in-a-century global economic shock caused by COVID-19. In addition to the $15 million invested in the Regional Business Partner Network since March that has been accessed by 12465 businesses the Government is now boosting this with an additional $40 million. The fund enables the network of over 1400 registered professional service advisers across 14 regions to deliver free business advice and training to SMEs to build their capabilities. Businesses with under 20 employees have received 78 percent of the support funding. The additional boost will keep up the momentum to help SMEs adapt and innovate to deal with the impact of the virus.Jo Luxton: How does the additional investment in the regional business partner scheme help businesses adapt and innovate to deal with the impacts of COVID-19?Hon STUART NASH: The Regional Business Partner Network connects firms to expert advice at no cost to the business. Advice covers topics like business strategy finance and cash flow continuity planning human resources and employment relations digital services marketing and health and wellness for owners and staff. The professional support is in huge demand from our smallest businesses—those with 10 or fewer staff. This is the same cohort of SMEs that have been most enthusiastic about our Government support like interest-free loans and the wage subsidy scheme. Around 80 percent of businesses that have used the network for professional support have 10 or fewer workers. Over 500 Māori businesses have accessed this support and there's been strong interest from manufacturing tourism construction and retail businesses. The network offers a fast and localised way to get practical support to businesses especially the small to medium firms that are the backbone of our economy.Jo Luxton: What reports has he seen from small businesses or their advocates who have accessed the regional business partner scheme?Hon STUART NASH: Napier small business owner Mr Paul Freeman who received business finance training and social media training and used it to change his company's marketing has stated that the services have been lifesaving. The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce says the extended funding will make a critical difference for many businesses in the region enabling them to get the right advice at the right time. One Southland business advised and I quote Prior to our sessions with the service providers we were concerned and didn't really have a grasp of exactly where we were financially—when the pain would start or stop. But armed with updated cash flows and reports and the know-how we can trade our way through." The Government does not underestimate the struggles small businesses are facing at the moment and the pressures they are under be they financial or mental health. This is the time to leverage personal and business networks and to use local contacts to help to innovate and to grow."