BusinessNZ welcomes New Zealand’s first City Deal as a long-overdue step toward unlocking economic growth, through better coordinated infrastructure planning and delivery. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the agreement for Auckland signals a shift toward more constructive collaboration between central and local government. “Developing world-class cities requires long-term thinking,...
First RMA replacement Bill released BusinessNZ has welcomed the release of the exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill, the first of three Bills to replace the Resource Management Act. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope acknowledges the organisations that have assisted in getting resource management reform to this...
Prudent, workable suggestions for council funding BusinessNZ says the Productivity Commission has listened to business concerns in making its recommendations on council funding. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says higher rates on business, unrelated to services received, are a key problem in the way councils currently operate. “New Zealand businesses...
Productivity Commission correct on funding fairness BusinessNZ says the Productivity Commission brings a common-sense approach to the funding of local government. Local Government faces a number of funding issues surrounding the provision of new infrastructure growth, dealing with upgrades in rural communities and coping with the demands of increased tourism...
RMA shakeup long overdue A shakeup of the Resource Management System is a big step in the right direction, BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says. “This is a great chance to move towards improved environmental, economic and social wellbeing outcomes.” Mr Hope says Resource Reform New Zealand (Employers and Manufacturers...
Campaign on council funding welcomed A better system for funding local government is essential for our economic future, says BusinessNZ. Chief Executive Kirk Hope has welcomed the Local Government Business Forum’s campaign for a better system of funding councils. “Many councils have funding and debt pressures that prevent them from...
New directions in urban planning positive Urban planning recommendations released today could help overcome housing and infrastructure problems, says BusinessNZ. The Productivity Commission’s report Better Urban Planning makes a key recommendation of replacing the Resource Management Act. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said a new approach to resource management law...
Too much planning Too much planning Urban planning has become too wide in its scope,increasing housing costs and reducing prosperity. This is the view of BusinessNZ in its submission on theProductivity Commission’s draft report BetterUrban Planning. The draft report recommends scaling back planningrules and local government regulation, and improving infrastructure...
Better Urban Planning submission