Environment

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

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...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Reform of local government – relief and celebration

BusinessNZ congratulates the Government and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown on planned local government reform. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said the Government’s agreement to change the purpose of the Local Government Act, from the current ‘four...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

NZ Economy: Holding pattern

The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the December quarter shows only modest growth on the cards for New Zealand’s economy in 2025. BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says after a tough year in business, there are still reasons to be optimistic. "The end...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Improving regulatory oversight welcomed

BusinessNZ endorses the start of work towards a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. The Bill aims to improve the quality of regulation, reducing the compliance burden on New Zealanders and boosting productivity. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Cross-party consensus congratulated

BusinessNZ congratulates the National, Labour and ACT parties for their shared endorsement of an updated framework for public private partnerships. The New Zealand PPP Framework Blueprint for Future Transactions sets out New Zealand’s future approach to PPP...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Small business welcome new procurement rules

Small businesses will welcome the Government’s firm direction to government agencies to pay their bills on time, BusinessNZ says. Chief Executive Katherine Rich says many businesses supply goods and services to government agencies and can experience hardship from late...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Welcoming overseas investment

BusinessNZ has welcomed the Government’s pledge to improve the policies holding back overseas investment. The Government has indicated it will change the Overseas Investment Act and the policy settings for foreign investment, within the next year. BusinessNZ Chief...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

ACC accounts under pressure

Better claims management and more transparent levy-setting are needed to return ACC Accounts to financial health, BusinessNZ says.    BusinessNZ’s submission on ACC’s levy-setting for 2025-28 notes that some ACC Accounts are currently underfunded, a...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Productivity in building

BusinessNZ supports moves to get more productivity and efficiency in the building consent system. The Government is proposing changing the system, with options including consolidating the number of Building Consent Authorities and introducing a single point of contact...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

A responsible Budget for the times

BusinessNZ says Budget 2024 shows a responsible approach to spending in areas that have the potential to significantly improve New Zealand’s economic growth. Chief Executive Kirk Hope says given the fiscal situation New Zealand finds itself in, the Government will...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

Consensus welcomed

BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. The political parties have agreed to a select committee inquiry into climate adaptation to develop guiding objectives...

RMA reform – opening the door to investment

BusinessNZ supports fast-track Bill

BusinessNZ welcomes the introduction of the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and its referral to the Environment Select Committee for public submissions, but says resourcing of the expert panel is critical to achieving its objective. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says...