BusinessNZ’s latest Planning Forecast shows the economy finally emerging from stagnation and GDP projected to grow at just under 3% per year to 2027, with improving momentum across manufacturing, construction, and tourism. BusinessNZ Chief Economist John Pask says the recovery is welcome, but New Zealand is heading into a decade of difficult...
A new report by BusinessNZ calls for bold, long-term planning to enable a greater New Zealand by 2050. The report titled New Zealand 2050: A Long-Term Vision, makes a case for a bipartisan national plan to redefine NZ’s competitiveness, social cohesion, and global standing by 2050. Starting with NZ’s looming...
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...
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...
As councils consider their spending and rates decisions for the coming year and as October’s local authority elections draw closer, business groups are calling for greater transparency on how councillors vote. “It is time for councils to make it easier to show how their elected members vote at each meeting...
BusinessNZ welcomes the Government’s commitment to reforming resource management laws, based on the principle of the enjoyment of property rights. “The latest announcement on phase 3 reforms is another step in the right direction,” BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said. “Current consenting processes are slow and costly, and projects can...
Changes to Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules will help keep investment and international talent in New Zealand, and attract more. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the existing rules have been a major barrier for foreign investors. “FIF rules have seen high net worth individuals incentivised to leave the country after...
BusinessNZ says a recent amendment to the Crimes Act is likely to cause problems for employers. The amendment makes it a criminal offence for an employer to intentionally not pay wages and entitlements to their employee. Non-payment of wages and entitlements is already an offence under the Employment Relations Act....
BusinessNZ has welcomed the Government’s commitment to better management of the health system. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said a high-functioning health system was critical for enabling New Zealanders to lead healthy, productive lives. “Getting clear targets for things like GP access and elective surgery wait times, getting better value...
Overseas investment overhaul: NZ means business BusinessNZ says the Government’s announcement to reform the Overseas Investment Act sends a positive signal to the world, that New Zealand is ready to do business. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the old rules made it difficult and uncertain for overseas investors to consider...
