Want to discuss your business or start up idea with us?

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

23 April 2025

We are very sad to announce the closure of Business Assist / Nelson Tasman Business Trust (NTBT) as of 30th June 2025.

The decision has been made by our Board of Trustees.

NTBT was established in 1998 with the aim to provide support and guidance to small to medium size businesses. Our non-profit organization has been offering free business consultations, business and networking events, and mentoring services ever since to many local startups, entrepreneurs and businesses.

We are honoured that we could contribute to our local business community and grateful that we have been able to provide support to many clients over the years. This year alone, by year end (June) we will have served approximately 1500 clients across Tasman and Nelson regions.

With the closure, all our activities will be winding up after 27 years of service to our community.

We would like to thank all our incredible sponsors and partners who have supported us through these years, and to everyone who has participated and helped make Business Assist the great little organisation that it is. Without you, this journey wouldn't have taken place.

Between now and our final day, please feel free to pop into our office for a cuppa and a chat. Our office will be open between 9.30 am - 3.30 pm, Monday to Thursday, until we depart. You can also make the most of our various offerings before it all comes to an end!

Once again, we appreciate all the love and support we've had from our fabulous business community.

Consultation

Meet our client adviser to discuss your business or start up idea in confidence. Gain free resources, helpful tools & tips, connections to business leaders and network meetings.

Mentoring

Gain objective advice to help challenge your thinking, set new goals and achieve success. Mentoring is available for trading businesses, start ups and community non-profits.

Networking

Inspirational, practical, valuable opportunities to connect with other business owners, share ideas, learn more about business from local experts and grow your business network.

Training

Attend one of our workshops, helping you to unlock the secrets of business success, to plan a winning business and avoid the business failure trap.

Our upcoming events

Free
NBS Lunch & Learn - AI Basics: Helping Small Businesses Get Started
13 May 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Kotuku Room, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, Cnr Main Road and Songer St, Stoke, Nelson, Nelson, 7011, New Zealand
Grow your business, learn new skills & expand your network with local entrepreneurs. Join us at Lunch & Learn! Each month we bring you a relevant business presentation to be inspired by. BYO lunch, tea & coffee provided.
Free
Apex Accounting "Just Talking" Businesswomen's Series w/ Jacquie Boer
21 May 2025
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
BNZ Partners Centre Nelson, L1, 226 Trafalgar Street, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
Come & join us for our popular event series where we aim to create a heart-felt, approachable and supportive space for local businesswomen to come together, network and listen to stories from inspiring women in business. Let's approach business and life from different perspectives, have a bite to eat together, and a bit of fun and laughter, too!
Free
ICIB BizBreak - 2025 May
28 May 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Business Assist Nelson Tasman, 39 Halifax St, Nelson, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
Grab a cuppa and connect with like-minded local business owners. Network in a relaxed and down to earth setting. Bring your business cards, brochures or flyers.
NBS Lunch & Learn
10 Jun 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Kotuku Room, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, Cnr Main Road and Songer St, Stoke, Nelson, Nelson, 7011, New Zealand
Grow your business, learn new skills & expand your network with local entrepreneurs. Join us at Lunch & Learn! Each month we bring you a relevant business presentation to be inspired by. BYO lunch, tea & coffee provided.

About Business Assist...

The Nelson Tasman Business Trust has been supporting local businesses since 1998.

We provide free, confidential, independent assistance for business owners or those planning to start a business: free training, monthly network meetings and mentoring for Nelson and Tasman as an Agency for Business Mentors NZ.

Find out more about us

What people are saying

We love to work with Gael. She is helping us in all areas of our business plan. Working with her makes the process so much easier. Thank you.

Tatiana and Pat Baker from Hell's Fire Forges

I would like to thank Gael Gordon for taking the time to meet with me to discuss my business ideas. I found her very encouraging and a good listener, and she gave me very good advice, Thank you so much Gael.

Deborah O’Leary

I don't like standard formulas. When I had my first meeting with NTBT seven years ago they asked me to bring my business plan. I pulled out colourful A3 diagram, a little like a mind map, Sarah asked if she could photocopy it as an example for others. I knew then that my idea for NZ Textile Experiences had potential. Being believed that I was onto something unique gave me the incentive to explore, learn and action my ideas.

Since that time NZ Textile Experiences has had hundreds and hundreds of people come from all over the world, around New Zealand and locally, to attend our hands-on creative workshops and learn from our wonderful team of tutors who are all experienced at hosting our art textile and fibre craft experiences. Winning the International Creative Tourism Award (Barcelona) in 2020 for Best Creative Experience was the icing on the cake. There are many more opportunities to grow and expand, and knowing NTBT are there to help source information and bounce around ideas is nothing short of fantastic!

Colleen Plank/NZ Textile Experiences

Having a business mentor has really helped me on many different fronts, and I have really appreciated his ideas & feedback; and certainly implemented most of his ideas so far.

Peter Ogilvie, Plus4 Insurance Solutions

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We reached out to the Nelson Tasman Business Trust and Sarah and the team have been so welcoming, warm, helpful and supportive. They have provided us with excellent networking opportunities and connected us with other experienced individuals which has enabled us to grow and learn much faster than we would of otherwise. We would recommend anyone in any stage of business to reach out and meet them, and participate in the Nelson Tasman Business Trust community.