Flexi-wage expansion will lift business confidence, employment The government’s support package to assist businesses in hiring at least 40,000 people impacted by Covid-19 will boost business confidence and get unemployed Kiwis back into work, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. Changes to the flexi-wage programme increase the average amount a...
Is business prepared for 2050? The Climate Change Commission’s advice for reshaping the New Zealand economy should be carefully considered by both Government and business, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. This first package of advice lays out the pathways needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. “The Commission...
UK’s CPTPP inclusion would be a win for exporters The UK’s addition to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would reduce barriers and give exporters a much-needed boost in the wake of Covid-19, BusinessNZ Network Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. “I expect to see significant gains in both economies...
Retention of international skills the right move Visa extensions and a postponed stand down period for low-paid Essential Skills visa holders will help firms retain international skills, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. “International workers have enabled New Zealand companies to operate during lockdowns, and ensured our firms have the workforce...
NZ economy better than expected The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the December 2020 quarter shows the economy in better shape than expected following Covid-19’s massive hit mid-year. It shows a bounce-back after the 11 percent GDP drop over the June quarter, suggesting a V-shaped rather than a more prolonged U-shaped...
Steady minimum wage rate a reasonable move BusinessNZ is expressing caution on plans to raise the minimum wage next year. The Government has confirmed it will increase the rate to $20 per hour from 1 April 2021. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says Covid-19 has reduced the earning ability of...
Border critical to recovery Companies need a risk mitigation and management approach to the border to enable skilled workers, customers and investors to come to New Zealand, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says. The BusinessNZ Border Survey, released today, shows companies are being hamstrung by project delays and lost business opportunities...
Debt relief extension a welcome boost for businesses and staff BusinessNZ says a 10-month extension of rules allowing businesses to put their debt on hold will give confidence to companies and their employees. The Government introduced the debt hibernation scheme earlier this year as part of relief measures aimed at...
Bringing RSE workers back the right move BusinessNZ welcomes the announcement that New Zealand will welcome back 2,000 international workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says the move is timely. “Our exports industries have weathered the Covid storm well to date, but it would...
International conditions contribute uncertainty The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the September 2020 quarter shows the economy in deep uncertainty following two quarters of Covid-19. It records significant improvement over the September quarter as the economy briefly came out of lock-down, before Auckland went into Level 3 lockdown and the rest...
