NZ economy: constraints to growth Indicators during the June quarter show the economy bouncing back, although with constraints building. The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast shows GDP figures holding up well, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index sits at 12 for the June 2021 quarter, up 6...
Visa extensions welcomed BusinessNZ welcomes the extension of visas, deferral of the three year stand down and border exemptions for the dairy industry. “It is good to see Government recognising that immigration is critical to our export-led recovery. Skill shortages are holding back New Zealand companies from taking advantage of the...
Climate advice still compromises ETS The Commission’s final advice released today includes more discussion of the role of the ETS in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But it does not provide sufficient justification for compromising the Emissions Trading Scheme, BusinessNZ says. BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says the...
Climate advice still compromises ETS The Commission’s final advice released today includes more discussion of the role of the ETS in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But it does not provide sufficient justification for compromising the Emissions Trading Scheme, BusinessNZ says. BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says the...
Budget a missed opportunity for growth BusinessNZ acknowledges the social spending contained in Budget 2021 but is disappointed at the lack of focus on growing the economy. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says reducing child poverty, supporting Maori and Pasifika and tackling climate change are worthy targets for investment, but...
Migrants bring benefits BusinessNZ has welcomed the announcement by the Government of an increased focus on attracting overseas investment but notes that New Zealand will not be attractive without a workforce to meet the needs of business. “Skill shortages are already hitting New Zealand businesses and it is disappointing the...
Fair Pay Agreements should be terminated BusinessNZ says significant problems with planned Fair Pay Agreements have not been addressed, and the plan to implement them should be terminated. The Government today released the details for compulsory, nation-wide pay agreements to be introduced next year, along with financial support for the...
Apprenticeship Boost should be permanent BusinessNZ is calling for the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to be a permanent fixture following Minister Hipkins’ release showing a 17% increase in Apprenticeships in 2020. “Supporting businesses to train on the job is an effective and efficient way of developing the skills pipeline, particularly in...
ExportNZ on productive firms ExportNZ has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s investigation into frontier firms: highly productive companies, usually exporters, that are standard-setters for other firms in their sector. The Frontier Firms investigation has made recommendations for Government action to encourage more highly productive firms in NZ, including boosting foreign investment,...
Better law-making sought by business BusinessNZ says a move to improve law-making is well overdue. Today the Regulatory Standards Bill was drawn from the members’ ballot in Parliament. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the Bill would be welcomed by the business sector which bears a heavy compliance burden from regulation....
