Small Business Ideas for New Zealand: 15 You Can Start With Under $5,000

Not every business needs a big investment to get started. Many of the most successful Kiwi businesses began with a few thousand dollars, a specific skill and a willingness to do the work. This guide covers fifteen small business ideas you can start in New Zealand with less than $5,000, all hands-on, local businesses rather than online-only ventures.

For higher-investment ideas across all sectors, see our Main business ideas guide. If you want to work entirely online from home, see our Online business ideas guide, it covers freelancing, ecommerce and digital products in detail.

At a glance: 15 small business ideas under $5,000

1. Lawn mowing and garden maintenance
2. Cleaning services
3. Dog walking and pet sitting
4. Mobile car grooming
5. Personal training
6. Window cleaning
7. Sewing, alterations and clothing repairs
8. Home baking and specialty cakes
9. House painting and decorating
10. Moving and furniture delivery
11. Market stall (food or handmade goods)
12. Event photography
13. Mobile coffee cart
14. Handyman and property maintenance
15. Courier and delivery services

Service businesses (under $2,000 to start)

1. Lawn mowing and garden maintenance

A mower, a trailer and a few hundred flyers is enough to start. Residential lawn mowing is a steady, repeat-customer business. As you build a round, you can add garden maintenance, hedge trimming and seasonal clean-ups. Many operators earn $40–$60 per hour once established.

Startup cost: $1,500–$3,000 for a quality mower and basic equipment.

Example: Crewcut started as a single-operator lawn mowing round and grew into one of New Zealand’s largest garden maintenance franchises. Proof the model scales.

2. Cleaning services

Residential and commercial cleaning. Start with residential clients in your area and build through referrals. Commercial cleaning (offices, retail spaces) offers larger contracts but typically requires evening or weekend work. Consistency and reliability are the differentiators, it is a reputation business.

Startup cost: $500–$2,000 for cleaning supplies and basic equipment.

3. Dog walking and pet sitting

New Zealand has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world and busy professionals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regularly pay for dog walking and pet care. Apps like PetCloud and Pawshake can help you find initial clients, but the best operators build direct relationships and recurring bookings.

Startup cost: Under $500 for insurance, leads and basic supplies.

4. Mobile car grooming

Washing, detailing and interior cleaning at the customer’s home or workplace. A water tank, pressure washer, vacuum and cleaning products fit in a car boot or small trailer. Premium detailing services (paint correction, ceramic coating) command $200–$500 per vehicle.

Startup cost: $1,500–$4,000 for equipment and supplies.

5. Personal training

If you hold a recognised fitness qualification (REPS NZ registered), you can start training clients in parks, at their homes or in rented gym space. Outdoor bootcamp-style sessions in particular have low overhead. Rates range from $50–$120 per hour depending on location and experience.

Startup cost: $1,000–$3,000 for equipment, insurance and marketing. Qualification costs are additional if you are not already certified.

Skilled trade and craft businesses (under $3,000 to start)

6. Window cleaning

Residential and commercial window cleaning has low equipment costs and strong repeat demand. Most homes need windows cleaned at least twice a year and commercial premises often want monthly service. A squeegee kit, ladder and a vehicle is all you need to start building a round in your area.

Startup cost: $500–$2,000 for a professional squeegee kit, bucket, ladder and initial marketing.

7. Sewing, alterations and clothing repairs

Clothing alterations are a consistent small business, people always need hems taken up, zips replaced and garments adjusted. If you can sew well, you can start from a home workroom. Wedding dress alterations and suit tailoring command premium rates ($80–$200 per garment). The growing interest in repairing rather than replacing clothes is adding demand.

Startup cost: $1,000–$3,000 for a quality sewing machine, overlocker and supplies. Less if you already own equipment.

8. Home baking and specialty cakes

Custom cakes, baked goods for cafés and specialty items (gluten-free, vegan, keto) are all viable home baking businesses in New Zealand. Many bakers start with orders from friends and social media before scaling to regular café supply or market stalls. You will need MPI food safety registration for any commercial food production.

Startup cost: $1,000–$3,000 for equipment, ingredients and registration. A home kitchen upgrade may be needed to meet food safety standards.

Example: The Pastry Kitchen in Auckland started as a home operation and now supplies pastries to cafés across the city.

9. House painting and decorating

Interior and exterior house painting does not require a specific trade licence in New Zealand (unlike plumbing or electrical). Demand is steady year-round and experienced painters charge $35–$55 per hour. Many operators start with interior work and expand to exterior as they build confidence with heights and weather-dependent scheduling.

Startup cost: $2,000–$5,000 for brushes, rollers, drop sheets, ladders and a vehicle.

10. Moving and furniture delivery

Small-scale moving and furniture delivery for people who do not need a full moving truck. Flat-pack furniture assembly and delivery from Trade Me or Marketplace sellers is a growing niche. A ute or van, a furniture trolley and moving blankets are the core equipment. Reliability and care with people’s belongings are the main differentiators.

Startup cost: $1,500–$4,000 for a trolley, blankets, straps and fuel. You will need a suitable vehicle.

Market and event businesses (under $5,000 to start)

11. Market stall (food or handmade goods)

Farmers’ markets and weekend markets operate in every city and most towns across New Zealand. Baked goods, preserves, handmade soap, candles and crafts are all proven market stall categories. Markets are also an excellent way to test a product before committing to a full ecommerce operation.

Startup cost: $1,000–$4,000 for stall setup, initial stock and market fees. Food stalls require MPI registration.

12. Event photography

Weddings, corporate events and family portraits. If you already own a capable camera, the main investment is building a portfolio and marketing. Starting with second-shooter work for established photographers is a low-risk way to gain experience and build a client base.

Startup cost: $2,000–$5,000 if you need to buy or upgrade camera gear. Less if you already own equipment.

13. Mobile coffee cart

A coffee cart at a construction site, business park or regular market location. Lower cost than a full food truck and coffee has strong repeat-purchase behaviour. The best operators find a high-traffic location and become a daily habit for their customers.

Startup cost: $3,000–$5,000 for a basic cart setup and initial coffee supply. Council permit and food safety registration required.

Local service businesses (under $5,000 to start)

14. Handyman and property maintenance

General repairs, painting, fence building, deck staining, gutter cleaning and minor renovations. You do not need a specific trade qualification for general handyman work (though you cannot do restricted building work, plumbing or electrical without one). Demand is consistent year-round. If you are on the other side of this equation and need to find a good tradesperson, see our Guide to finding tradespeople in NZ.

Startup cost: $2,000–$5,000 for tools, a vehicle and insurance.

15. Courier and delivery services

Same-day and local delivery for businesses and individuals. While the major courier companies dominate long-haul, there is demand for fast local delivery, particularly for businesses sending fragile or time-sensitive items. A reliable vehicle, a smartphone and good communication skills are the core requirements.

Startup cost: $1,000–$3,000 for insurance, a phone mount and fuel. You will need a suitable vehicle.

Before you start

Whichever idea you choose, the basics are the same: register with the IRD for a tax number, decide on your business structure (sole trader is simplest to start), and open a separate business bank account. The Business.govt.nz website walks through the legal requirements for each structure.

The best small businesses start by solving a problem for people nearby. Find customers before you invest in branding, websites or social media. For service businesses like cleaning, handyman work and trades, platforms like Needed connect you with people in your area who are actively looking for help — you describe what you do and nearby customers come to you. Revenue validates the idea; everything else is a guess.

For more options, see our Full guide to business ideas in New Zealand or our Online and internet business ideas guide.