Support for business welcomed BusinessNZ has welcomed news that the Government will introduce a targeted wage subsidy for businesses hurt by Coronavirus. Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the whole BusinessNZ Network had been involved, with business organisations EMA, Business Central, Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and Otago-Southland Employers Association actively...
Protestors must be held accountable for harm BusinessNZ says pressure groups who undertake illegal demonstrations should be treated like any other group and held accountable for their actions. The protest action overnight occupying an OMV gas exploration rig off the Taranaki coast was illegal, highly irresponsible and dangerous and put...
Fuel market competition questions BusinessNZ says legislation requiring more transparent petrol pricing will probably be well-received, but there are concerns about the market study that prompted it. The Government has announced it is drafting a Fuel Market Bill to introduce requirements for more transparent pricing by petrol retailers, and requirements for...
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...