Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, 2 February 2023
Applications are now open for the $4000 fog cannons to be installed for all small retail owners who want to get them installed as a safety measure in light of recent retail crime incidents.
The subsidy is open to all eligible small retailers and dairies in New Zealand who want a fog cannon installed, with the subsidy paid to the provider and retailers to pay the balance. This subsidy is for retailers whose main purpose is to sell finished goods to the public.
Subsidy announced at the end of last Year
The Fog Cannon subsidy was announced on 28 November 2022 by Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of a support package to help small businesses deal with a crime following the murder of Dairy worker Janak Patel in an incident of aggravated robbery.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who was serving as the Police Minister at the time, had briefed about the process by saying retailers could lodge expressions of interest with business.govt.nz, which would help the government gauge demand.
Fog cannon suppliers were told to apply to join the scheme from 19 December.
Details for the Subsidy
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Business Specialist Glen McCloy said,
“We know through the expression of interest process that there is demand for this subsidy, with close to 300 retailers interested in receiving it.”
He clarified that there is no requirement to have been the victim of a ram raid or aggravated burglary for the fog cannon subsidy, but retailers will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. The main criteria of consideration would be having:
- no more than 2 outlets
- 5 or fewer paid employees
- a street frontage (outlets in an indoor mall where security is already provided won’t be eligible).
He said, “Eligible retailers will need to visit the business.govt.nz website, and fill in the application form. They will need to provide simple business verification details and declare they are eligible. Once the form is submitted, it will be processed and provided confirmation, including a voucher code. They will be provided with a register of providers to contact and should provide them with the voucher code as validation. It is then up to the retailers to work with suppliers to get the fog cannons installed.
Once the fog cannon is installed, the provider will invoice MBIE and receive up to $4,000 as a subsidy with the retailer paying the provider any remaining costs.
If retailers filled out an expression of interest form in December 2022 or January 2023, they will be contacted regarding how to apply but still need to complete the application form.
Potential fog cannon providers can continue to register to be on the panel via the Government Electronic Tender Service. They are encouraged to apply and MBIE will be onboarding providers on an ongoing basis for the duration of the scheme.
More information, to check eligibility and to apply, and any further details can be accessed from the MBIE website link here.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
