Small businesses will welcome the Government’s firm direction to government agencies to pay their bills on time, BusinessNZ says. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says many businesses supply goods and services to government agencies and can experience hardship from late...
Media Releases
Recent media releases from BusinessNZ.
Welcoming overseas investment
BusinessNZ has welcomed the Government’s pledge to improve the policies holding back overseas investment. The Government has indicated it will change the Overseas Investment Act and the policy settings for foreign investment, within the next year. BusinessNZ Chief...
ACC accounts under pressure
Better claims management and more transparent levy-setting are needed to return ACC Accounts to financial health, BusinessNZ says. BusinessNZ’s submission on ACC’s levy-setting for 2025-28 notes that some ACC Accounts are currently underfunded, a...
Productivity in building
BusinessNZ supports moves to get more productivity and efficiency in the building consent system. The Government is proposing changing the system, with options including consolidating the number of Building Consent Authorities and introducing a single point of contact...
NZ Economy: Flicker of light
The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the September Quarter shows a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index, a measure of New Zealand’s major economic indicators, shows improvement from the previous quarter, with warmer...
Consensus approach welcomed
BusinessNZ congratulates the Infrastructure Minister for his commitment to building consensus. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard says the Minister’s address to the infrastructure community today reflected the strong desire by business for more...
Smoothing trans-Tasman trade – please take the survey
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTRMA) - which aims to remove regulatory barriers between Australia and New Zealand and facilitate trade across the Tasman - is now 20 years old. The TTMRA helps to increase transparency in trading arrangements and...
Health and safety deserve better
BusinessNZ is supportive of the consultation on work health and safety announced today by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard says the BusinessNZ Network requested a review because of significant concerns among...
Overseas investment changes a good start
The Government’s steps to make it easier for overseas investment are a good start but more, fundamental change is required, says BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope. “New Zealand currently has one of the most restrictive regimes in the OECD when it comes to overseas...
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope resignation
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope today announced he has resigned from his role and will finish with BusinessNZ on 6 September 2024. “I have led BusinessNZ for nine years through a period of growth, consolidation and unprecedented change and believe the time is...
A responsible Budget for the times
BusinessNZ says Budget 2024 shows a responsible approach to spending in areas that have the potential to significantly improve New Zealand’s economic growth. Chief Executive Kirk Hope says given the fiscal situation New Zealand finds itself in, the Government will...
Consensus welcomed
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. The political parties have agreed to a select committee inquiry into climate adaptation to develop guiding objectives...