The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the September quarter reports on a divide in the NZ economy, with growth in the rural and regional economy, but a downswing in some large urban sectors including Auckland and Wellington. BusinessNZ Chief Economist John Pask says the divide is reflected in a range of...
BusinessNZ recent advocacy has focused on NZ’s ability to export goods and services and import needed skills – including NZ exporters’ performance in the face of US tariff moves, and the potential for new international visas to fill staffing gaps in seasonal industries. Proposals to improve councils’ consenting of new...
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 strongly backs Going for Growth, the agenda championing economic and business growth for greater prosperity. Our analysis of policies reported on below indicates the potential for success from changing resource management NPS settings, immigration regulations, overseas investment, and energy policies. Education reform announced this week, aimed at improving school...
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...