The announcement of measures making it easier for supermarkets to establish and expand in New Zealand is a step in the right direction, and BusinessNZ would like to see the Government’s approach applied in other sectors of our economy. Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says encouraging investment and growth in...
A new Business Investor Visa will encourage more foreign direct investment and give New Zealand business owners greater succession options, says BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich. “This is a positive step in the Government’s programme to support foreign investment and attract international expertise, and will help ensure greater business continuity,...
BusinessNZ has welcomed today’s announcement by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford introducing two new seasonal visa pathways – the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa – as a pragmatic step to better match immigration settings with business needs. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the new visa categories...
BusinessNZ says urgent and co-ordinated action is needed to avoid what gas users describe as a ‘devastating’ disruption to New Zealand jobs, services and manufacturing. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says New Zealand’s dwindling natural gas supply is an issue that must be taken seriously. “The assumption that industry can quickly...
BusinessNZ welcomes today’s announcement by the Ministers for Regulation and Commerce and Consumer Affairs of a long-overdue review of New Zealand’s product labelling system. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the move has the potential to reduce unnecessary compliance costs for business and expand product choice for consumers. “For years,...
The announced overhaul of New Zealand’s education system is a chance to ensure school leavers are better equipped for the modern workforce, says BusinessNZ. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says NCEA is failing students. “The current system of NCEA is not delivering what students, parents, teachers, or employers need. Change is...
Legislation aimed at improving NZ’s vocational education and training system needs to focus on delivering the right skills needed for business and employment growth, BusinessNZ says. BusinessNZ says New Zealand’s new vocational education system should not be dominated by polytechnics to the detriment of work-based training and should focus on...
Sound law-making is needed for NZ to attract investment and achieve economic growth, BusinessNZ says. Chief Economist John Pask presented BusinessNZ’s submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee today. He said the Bill was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and...
BusinessNZ supports the Infrastructure Commission’s endorsement for extending fibre broadband to more areas of New Zealand. A proposal by Chorus to gain government backing for expanding fibre broadband from 87% to 95% of households and businesses has been endorsed by the Infrastructure Commission as a national priority. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director...
The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the June quarter indicates the NZ economy will likely grow at nearly 3% by 2027, however it is facing strong headwinds caused by international and domestic issues. BusinessNZ economist John Pask says the uncertain, rapidly-changing international environment is affecting New Zealand’s trade and economic prospects....