In past opinion pieces I've raised some of the additional regulatory burdens that businesses are facing as a result of Government policy and some of the risks and consequences of those changes. This one focuses on more regulatory and policy changes which are creating some nervousness in the business sector,...

Taxing the internet giants would be an own goal for New Zealand. It's been suggested that New Zealand should join other countries in imposing a tax on internet companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google and Apple....

Business has now seen the detail around proposed changes to our wage bargaining system. The proposals are for collective agreements - ‘fair pay agreements’ - that would set minimum pay and conditions for all workers in each industry....

I was a member of the Tax Working Group as a representative of business. I appreciated being able to contribute to informed and frank debate with a thoughtful intelligent group of New Zealanders over the introduction of a capital gains tax....

Negotiations on the other side of the world are having a ripple effect in New Zealand. The controversial Brexit talks could affect us greatly....

We're seeing media reports and allegations about bullying in a number of workplaces - a matter of some concern. Bullying in any workplace is hurtful and harmful. It causes stress, anger, anxiety and depression, and it takes away confidence. Bullying behaviour raises the need for workplaces to take action, and...

The political economy - the environment for doing business - changed somewhat in 2018 following the election of a coalition that many said would be bad for business. In fact, there have been some surprising policy moves led by the various Labour, NZ First and Green parts of the Government....

Concerns about privacy are growing as fast as new technology develops. Whether it's smart watches recording vital signs or smart TVs recording private conversations, the outcome always seems to be the loss of privacy. The trade-off between providing great customer benefits using customers' own data, and privacy loss, is a...

The United States midterm elections were significant for New Zealand's trade prospects but the picture has just become more clouded. New Zealand, a trade-dependent nation, needs fewer tariffs and freer trade....

New Zealand's workforce is changing. Auckland, our largest commercial city, is 'superdiverse' - home to 200 different ethnicities speaking 160 languages. The diaspora help to strengthen the international relationships that underpin our export industries....