Poor timing for release of significant climate proposals Business will be affected by a disorderly approach to environmental law, says BusinessNZ. The Government has just launched a public consultation on draft settings and price controls for the Emissions Trading Scheme, with a February deadline. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said...
NZ economy: mixed outlook Growth – not spectacular, but comparatively solid – is predicted in the BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the December 2019 quarter. The forecast indicates annual GDP growth of 2.5 percent for the next two years. “International tensions and financial market volatility are harming global growth, but New...
Minimum wage needs moderation BusinessNZ says today’s increase in the minimum wage is larger than normal and raises questions about whether some businesses will be able to cope. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said some smaller businesses and businesses in the regions might have difficulty affording the increase given unchanged...
Workforce Development Councils a key development BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope welcomes further clarification on the Government’s decision to establish six industry-led Workforce Development Councils (WDCs). Mr Hope says the move will need to be carefully managed to ensure that impacts on businesses offering apprenticeships and other industry training programmes...
Prudent, workable suggestions for council funding BusinessNZ says the Productivity Commission has listened to business concerns in making its recommendations on council funding. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says higher rates on business, unrelated to services received, are a key problem in the way councils currently operate. “New Zealand businesses...
Infrastructure boost must contribute to productivity growth BusinessNZ has welcomed the $12 billion infrastructure boost announced today, and says it’s appropriate for road and rail transport to be the priorities. Chief Executive Kirk Hope said business would be keen to see the details of the projects. “We need to make...
Process concerns in market study BusinessNZ is voicing process concerns in the market study into the retail fuel sector released today. BusinessNZ says market studies are an intrusive power that can lead to regulated industries and increased regulation of the economy overall, and should be used with great care. The...
