Business credit · New Zealand
Capital that's there when business calls.
Capital On Call arranges business lines of credit, standby working capital and property-secured top-ups for New Zealand businesses whose cash flow rises and falls — so the quiet months, the slow payers and the once-a-year opportunities don't catch you short.
- LimitSet once, from your turnover
- DrawnOnly what the gap needs
- AvailableRefills as you repay
The cash flow year
Revenue comes in waves. Costs don't.
Rent, core wages and tax arrive every month. For a seasonal business, income doesn't. A line of credit fills the troughs — shaded below — and is repaid from the peaks, so the same limit is ready again next year.
Draw in the trough. Cover wages, rent and pre-season stock while bookings, harvest payments or invoices catch up.
Repay in the peak. As revenue climbs past your costs, clear the balance and the limit refills.
Redraw next season. No new application each year — the facility stays on call. Seasonal funding →
Three ways to keep capital on call
Pick the structure that matches your cash pattern
Most businesses need one of these. Plenty use two: a property-secured loan for the big item, and a line of credit for the month-to-month swings.
| Option | Best for | Trading history | Assessed on | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business line of credit | Recurring gaps: off-seasons, slow payers, stock cycles | Usually 6+ months | Turnover and bank statements; weaker credit considered | Revolving |
| Unsecured working capital | A one-off need without putting property on the line | Usually 6+ months | Turnover and bank statements; decisions sometimes same day | Lump sum or line |
| Property-secured top-up | Bigger or lower-doc needs, IRD debt, fast deals — $20,000 to $1m | Not the main factor | NZ property you or a supporting party own; no financials to start | Lump sum |
Not sure which? Compare line of credit vs overdraft vs term loan.
Who calls on us
Built for businesses that live by a calendar
From lodges on Lake Wakatipu to container importers at the Port of Tauranga, the businesses we help share one thing: income that doesn't arrive in neat monthly instalments.
Tourism & hospitality
Carry the team through the shoulder months and open the season ready.
Orchards & vineyards
Fund pruning, pollination and harvest ahead of staged grower payments.
Construction & trades
Pay crews on Friday while claims and retentions catch up.
Retail
Buy in spring, repay from summer sales.
Wholesale
Fund containers between supplier and customer terms.
Professional services
Keep payroll steady while client invoices clear, even when big clients pay slowly.
Also see transport and freight funding and all industries.
Moments that need capital now
The calls that don't wait for your cash flow
The best reason to arrange capital early is that the moments you need it rarely give notice. These are the ones New Zealand business owners tell us about most.
A supplier's bulk-buy window
Pay for a full container before the price rise and bank the discount. Opportunity funding
Gear at auction on Thursday
Receivership sales settle in days. Funding lined up beforehand wins the bid. Auction checklist
A competitor selling up
Stock, equipment, a customer list or the whole business — often to the first credible buyer.
IRD due before customers pay
Provisional tax on 28 August, GST on the 28th — stop penalties before they start. Paying IRD on time
The quiet month that runs long
A late snow season or a wet January. Keep your core team paid. Standby capital
A contract bigger than your last
Materials and crew from week one; the first claim paid a month later. Trades funding
From enquiry to capital
Four steps, one conversation
No jargon and no obligation. A lending specialist does the legwork of matching your business to the right lender and structure. Full process →
- ~60 sec
Enquire
Tell us what you need and roughly what your business turns over. No credit score impact.
- Call back
Talk it through
A lending specialist asks about your seasons, your gap and your plans.
- Match
Share the essentials
Usually bank statements for unsecured options, or property details for secured ones.
- On call
Decision and funds
Unsecured decisions sometimes same day; property-secured funding within 24 hours of approval in some cases.
Start here
What do you need capital for?
Pick the closest match and we'll take you to the 60-second enquiry. Enquiring is free and won't affect your credit score.
Guides
Plan the year before you fund it
Practical, New Zealand-specific guides on seasonal cash flow, tax timing and getting paid — researched from IRD, Stats NZ, MBIE and business.govt.nz sources. All guides →
How a business line of credit works: draws, repayments and limits
Credit fundamentals · 4 minLimits, draws, repayments and redraws, explained plainly.
How to build a seasonal cash flow plan
Cash flow · 4 minMap your year, find the low point, and size the buffer.
How to smooth lumpy revenue in a small business
Cash flow · 4 minDeposits, retainers, milestones and a backstop for the rest.
Managing debtor days, and Construction Contracts Act payment claims explained
Getting paid · 4 minMeasure debtor days, then use payment claims properly.
Provisional tax timing for seasonal businesses
Tax timing · 4 minWho pays, when, and which option suits a seasonal year.
New Zealand tourism seasonality: what the data says
Industry data · 4 minStats NZ and MBIE numbers, and how to use them for planning.
FAQ
Quick answers
What does Capital On Call actually do?
We help New Zealand businesses arrange lines of credit, unsecured working capital and property-secured loans through our lending partners, so capital is ready when cash flow dips or an opportunity appears.
Is there a minimum trading history?
Lines of credit and unsecured options are usually for businesses trading six months or more. Property-secured loans from $20,000 to $1m rely mainly on the property, so trading history matters less.
Can you help if my bank has said no?
Often, yes. Our lending partners assess differently from the main banks. Weaker credit is considered for unsecured options, and bad credit, defaults and arrears are considered case by case for property-secured loans.
Do you publish interest rates?
No. Every facility is priced on the business's individual circumstances, so a published figure would mislead more people than it helped. We find the sharpest option available for your situation and explain the full cost upfront.
Is the funding for personal use?
No. Everything we arrange is for business purposes only. Sole traders, companies, partnerships and trusts can all apply.
Arrange it while things are calm
The best time to put capital on call is before you need it. Enquire in about 60 seconds, or call 09 875 4577.