A new BusinessNZ report shows NZ is suffering from a critical shortage of workers, and recommends encouraging  immigration to fill outstanding job vacancies. BusinessNZ’s suggestion to the Govt as it considers new policies towards its ‘immigration reset,’ is that we need a simple, easy to understand, permissive immigration policy that supports economic growth, welcomes migrants, and acknowledges the contribution they make to the economy and our communities, BusinessNZ CEO Kirk Hope said.

Work towards a National Energy Strategy will kick off this year, following receipt of the Govt’s Emissions Reduction Plan, the Energy Minister informed a recent BusinessNZ Energy Council meeting. Energy companies and other sector players would be invited to contribute to the strategy. Given the strategy would aim towards net zero carbon emissions, it would explore innovations such as offshore windfarms, pumped hydro, green hydrogen and largescale batteries for energy storage, the Minister said.

The latest World Energy Issues Monitor shows NZ facing uncertainties around oil and gas prices, climate management and economic growth. The global survey of energy issues shows NZ and the surrounding Asian region are strongly impacted by large increases in energy costs and face energy security concerns. The Monitor shows energy managers in NZ are focused on the move to renewable energies, the move to digitalisation and equity concerns regarding access to energy.

Changes to the Road User Charge system would result in less investment in roads to the detriment of growth, BusinessNZ says. Proposed Ministry of Transport changes include using RUCs to charge motorists for greenhouse gas emissions. But BusinessNZ’s draft submission says Road User Charges are specifically for upkeep of the physical roading network, and should not be used for other purposes. If RUCs are used to subsidise other policy purposes, roading would suffer, BusinessNZ says.