Articles tagged with Businesses

How Falling Interest Rates Benefit Growth, Businesses, Jobs, and Kiwis: Finance Minister's Insights

3 days ago | 79 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the benefits of falling interest rates, including support for growth, businesses, job creation, and mortgage holders. The Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 percent, with further decreases expected. Lower interest rates stimulate economic activity, reduce mortgage repayments, and are seen as a positive response to economic challenges, signaling improving conditions and effective economic management by the government.

Tags: interest rates growth businesses jobs Kiwis mortgages Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate

New Seasonal Visas in New Zealand: Boosting Businesses and Prioritizing Jobs for Kiwis

1 week ago | 279 views

The Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to assist New Zealand businesses in accessing necessary workers during peak periods, while also prioritizing job opportunities for New Zealanders. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is a three-year visa for experienced seasonal workers in various industries, while the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a seven-month visa for short-term roles. Visa holders must spend time offshore before returning, and employers must advertise roles and engage with MSD to prioritize New Zealand workers.

Tags: Government New Zealand businesses workers jobs Immigration Minister Erica Stanford Global Workforce Seasonal Visa Peak Seasonal Visa employers seasonal industries

Ministry for Regulation Launches Sector Review to Streamline Product Labelling Regulations

2 weeks ago | 301 views

Ministers Seymour and Simpson have announced a Ministry for Regulation review to address the high costs and complexities of New Zealand's product labelling regulations, which hinder affordability and global competitiveness. The current system, comprising over 30 codes and standards, imposes unnecessary compliance burdens on businesses, leading to increased prices and limited wage growth. The review aims to streamline regulations, reduce compliance costs, and enhance Kiwi goods' competitiveness internationally, with a focus on benefiting both businesses and consumers by simplifying the labelling process.

Tags: David Seymour Scott Simpson Minister for Regulation Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kiwis New Zealand labelling regulations businesses consumers compliance costs

Government Funding Boost to Combat Invasive Weeds in NZ Tourist Landscapes

3 weeks ago | 305 views

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the importance of eradicating invasive weeds to benefit tourism and rural businesses in New Zealand. The government is investing in early detection technology and allocating funds from the International Visitor Levy to protect iconic landscapes like Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Tongariro. Additional funding is directed towards combating wilding pines and other significant weeds, aiming to safeguard the environment, economy, and biodiversity of the country.

Tags: Tourism rural businesses Government action invasive weeds early detection technology Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation International Visitor Levy wilding pines Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard

Kiwi Electricity Bill Savings Boosted by New Energy Market Changes

1 month ago | 435 views

The Electricity Authority announced changes aimed at reducing electricity bills for Kiwi households and businesses, with a focus on fair pricing for rooftop solar and battery exports and introducing time of use plans. The government is also working on a review of the electricity sector to ensure fair prices and address energy shortages. These changes are expected to incentivize uptake of solar and battery systems, reduce power prices over the long term, and enable small-scale systems to meet peak demand.

Tags: Kiwi households businesses electricity bills Energy Minister Simon Watts Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones solar electricity generation power bills electricity sector electricity market

New Zealand's Employment Relations Bill: Boosting Business Confidence and Worker Opportunities

1 month ago | 534 views

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden applauds the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, emphasizing its significance in fostering business confidence and employment opportunities. The bill will now undergo review by the Education and Workforce Select Committee to gather public feedback on proposed changes. Key provisions of the legislation aim to clarify employment arrangements, simplify the grievance process, and enhance flexibility in negotiations between employers and employees.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister Employment Relations Amendment Bill New Zealand businesses workers contracting arrangements personal grievance process Select Committee genuine contracting relationships

Boost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth

1 month ago | 424 views

A significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.

Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitors

New Zealand to Reform AML/CFT Laws for Small Businesses: Minister McKee Announces Overhaul

1 month ago | 343 views

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says that small businesses will benefit from upcoming reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, as the Government moves to make compliance more proportionate and practical for low-risk operators. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced Cabinet’s approval to draft a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Omnibus) Amendment Bill to overhaul the existing system. Under current rules, even small businesses and professionals, such as real estate agents, face complex and time-consuming checks, often regardless of how much risk they face,” Mrs McKee says.

Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister small businesses reforms compliance customer due diligence real estate agents simplified checks

New Zealand Government Strengthens AML/CFT Regime to Combat Financial Crime

1 month ago | 418 views

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee today announced further steps in the Government’s overhaul of the AML/CFT regime, strengthening efforts to combat serious financial crime. “This Government is serious about targeting criminals, not tying up legitimate businesses in unnecessary red tape,” Mrs McKee says. “Cabinet has agreed to introduce a bill to strengthen enforcement powers for Police and regulators to crack down on those involved in money laundering.

Tags: Nicole McKee financial crime Police regulators financial sanctions crypto currencies Financial Intelligence Unit New Zealand businesses criminals.

Government Strengthens Trespass Laws to Safeguard Businesses: Proposed Changes and Impact Explained

1 month ago | 509 views

The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They’re difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice.

Tags: Government trespass laws businesses Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee law and order community properties offenders Retail MAG