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Advocacy for business by the BusinessNZ Network | |
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This week more support for Covid-affected firms was promised, and a traffic lights system when 90% of NZers are double-vaccinated. BusinessNZ's Kirk Hope says the support is welcome but reaching 90% and the timeframes are uncertain. “Sentiment in Auckland is bleak, and firms are closing simply because of the uncertainty. Clarity is needed on when vaccine certificates might be required, and what the plan will be if the 90% target isn’t reached. The details of any vaccine mandate should be crystal clear.” | | | |
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An Appeal Court ruling this week was a win for business, overturning an Employment Court judgment that would have cost firms hundreds of millions in backpay. The Employment Court had ruled in Metropolitan Glass & Glazing Ltd v Labour Inspector MBIE that discretionary bonuses should be included when calculating holiday pay. The BusinessNZ Network intervened in the case, arguing holiday pay should be calculated solely from contractually required payments. The Appeal Court found in favour of the BusinessNZ Network's arguments on behalf of NZ business. | | | |
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NZ exporters face Covid barriers |
NZ exporters are still mostly optimistic, but some are feeling kneecapped by the Covid environment. The latest ExportNZ-DHL Export Barometer survey of 319 NZ exporters shows 88% are facing higher logistics costs, 86% are experiencing transport delays and 57% can’t get shipping space. ExportNZ’s Catherine Beard says the ability for local exporters to operate is being severely constrained: “While the rest of the world is getting back to business, our closed border settings mean NZ exporters risk losing business to competitors.”
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Electricity competitiveness |
Electricity prices aren’t higher because of Tiwai Point, the BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) says. The Electricity Authority’s latest review suggests electricity prices are higher because of the power deal with the aluminium smelter, however BEC’s Tina Schirr says the review overlooks the smelter’s ability to respond to changes in demand and release substantial supply if needed during dry years. She says competitiveness concerns could be better addressed if the overall energy market was permitted to use more diverse resources including gas, incentivising more investment in the sector. | | | |
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Wetland rules may become more realistic – currently, draining or developing anything deemed a ‘natural wetland’ is prohibited, causing problems for activities like construction, mining or quarrying. Proposed rule changes may soon allow housing subdivisions near wetlands or activities like quarrying to be deemed discretionary rather than prohibited. BusinessNZ’s Kirk Hope says the new rules shouldn’t discriminate against certain types of business, e.g. types of minerals mined, or types of mines or quarries being operated. “Regulation should be concerned with the effects of business activities, not the activities themselves,” Mr Hope says. | | | |
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The BusinessNZ Network welcomes new Members: firms joining the Major Companies Group (grouping of NZ’s largest and most significant businesses) include civil engineering, design and consulting firm Arup, and firms joining the Gold Group (grouping of companies with turnover of $40–$130m) include Pub Charity Ltd, distributor of donations to community organisations from gaming machines in hotels and taverns. Firms wishing to join the Network can contact Phil Love plove@businessnz.org or Katharine McGhie kmcghie@businessnz.org.nz. | | | |
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AdvocacyUpdate is an update on recent activity & advocacy by the BusinessNZ Network | |
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