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Employer Bulletin | 11 May 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: New Zealand and Singapore have today signed a major agreement to protect the movement of essential goods such as fuel and food. The signing of the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES), witnessed by Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Lawrence Wong, guarantees neither country will impose export restrictions on an agreed list of goods – including fuel, foodstuffs, construction materials and other essential s
4 days ago2 min read
Business Community Welcomes New Expert Business Advisory Groups
Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce welcomes Wellington City Council’s move to establish the Expert Business Advisory Groups. This is a significant step toward the stronger, more structured partnership between Council and the business community that we have long called for. Establishing a formal business advisory group was one of the core recommendations in our Green Light Economy report and a key election ask. Over recent months we have met with the new
May 61 min read
Employer Bulletin | 4 May 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The Government has secured an additional nine days of diesel supply to boost New Zealand’s fuel reserves and help shield the country from the global oil shock, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say. Following a contestable procurement process, the Government has signed a letter of intent with Z Energy today to procure 90 million litres of NZ specification diesel. Under the terms of
May 41 min read
Employer Bulletin | 28 April 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston, welcomes new figures out today showing more New Zealanders moved off the benefit and into work over the year to March 2026, even as economic conditions remain challenging. “5,580 more people left the benefit for work during the year ending March 2026 compared to the same period the year before,” Louise Upston says. “Quarterly comparisons are also positive, wi
Apr 281 min read
Advocacy that works for your business
Advocacy is one of those terms that gets used often, but is not always clearly explained. In a business context, it simply means representing your interests to the people who make decisions that affect how you operate. That includes government, local councils, and regulators. It’s about making sure the voice of business is heard when policies are being developed, reviewed, or changed. For most businesses, and especially small to medium–sized, that kind of engagement is not st
Apr 213 min read
Employer Bulletin | 20 April 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The government welcomes new data showing New Zealand’s international visitor numbers continue to rise, with particularly strong growth from people visiting from China over Chinese New Year. “Our tourism sector continues its strong growth, with over 408,000 overseas visitors choosing to visit New Zealand in February 2026, over 53,000 more than the same time a year ago,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says
Apr 202 min read
Employer Bulletin | 13 April 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand welcomes the announcements by the United States and Iran over the past few hours - as we welcome all efforts to bring an end to this conflict. “While this is encouraging news, there remains significant important work to be done in the coming days to secure a lasting ceasefire. “We are grateful for the work of Pakistan, and others such as Turkiye and Egypt, to seek to find
Apr 132 min read
Employer Bulletin | 30 March 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The latest data on fuel stocks shows New Zealand continues to hold healthy levels of petrol, diesel and jet fuel, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.“ As at midnight on Sunday 15 March, combined petrol, diesel and jet fuel stocks equated to about 49 days of cover nationwide, including fuel held onshore in storage terminals and fuel already on ships bound for New Zealand,” Ms Wil
Mar 292 min read
Hawke’s Bay Export Awards launch for 2026 with ABB announced as new Platinum Sponsor
The ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards are now open for 2026, celebrating the exporters and individuals driving the region’s international success. This year marks an exciting milestone for the awards, with ABB announced as Platinum Sponsor. ABB steps into the role following its recognition as the 2025 Hawke’s Bay ASB Exporter of the Year - a full-circle moment that highlights its continued commitment to the region’s export community. Business Central CEO Hayley Horan s
Mar 262 min read
Employer Bulletin | 23 March 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The Government has released a new national strategy to support the future development of geothermal energy. From the Ground Up – A strategy to unlock New Zealand’s geothermal potential sets out how geothermal energy can play a larger role in New Zealand’s energy system, regional economies and industrial growth. The strategy includes an ambition to double geothermal energy use by 2040. Geothermal already provides around
Mar 222 min read
Employer Bulletin | 16 March 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: A much-anticipated Bill to ensure employees are paid correctly when taking time off work has just passed its first reading at Parliament, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. The Employment Leave Bill seeks to replace the Holidays Act 2003 and offers a simple, workable framework that gives businesses certainty, reduces potential error, and fixes what matters for employers and worker
Mar 151 min read
Wellington Chamber Business Confidence Survey shows improving sentiment, but challenges remain
Business confidence in Wellington lifted noticeably in the last quarter of last year, with many firms entering 2026 feeling more optimistic about their prospects, Wellington Chamber CEO Hayley Horan says. “What we’re hearing from Wellington businesses is realistic optimism. While the broader economic backdrop remains challenging, firms have built resilience and are beginning to see more possibility on the horizon.” The most striking change is in how businesses view their own
Mar 102 min read
Business confidence lifts as firms shift from caution to preparation for growth
Business confidence across central New Zealand is firming, with Business Central’s latest Business Confidence Survey showing businesses slowly moving out of defensive mode and preparing for recovery. Business Central Chief Executive Hayley Horan says the results from the final quarter of 2025 point to a clear shift in mood. “Businesses are still realistic about the challenges ahead, but the tone is different. Confidence in the national economy has jumped, and that’s meaningfu
Mar 102 min read
Employer Bulletin | 9 March 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: New Zealand’s latest international trade statistics show robust performance across global markets, reflecting the skill, innovation, and resilience of Kiwi exporters who continue to rank among the best in the world, Trade and Investment Minister Hon Todd McClay says. Exports rose to $29.2 billion for the December quarter, up $2.2 billion on the same period last year, reinforcing the vital role trade plays in supporting
Mar 81 min read
Employer Bulletin | 2 March 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The government is leveraging public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects and grow our national supply, Energy Minister Simon Watts says. “As part of the government’s energy package, we are pursuing possible long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) across the public service starting with our three largest energy users: Health New Zealand, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Department of Corrections,” M
Mar 12 min read
Simplifying Local Government – A Draft Proposal
About Business Central Business Central is a 170 year old not-for-profit (NFP) business advocacy membership organisation that represents 3500 employers and exporters across the lower North Island, providing advice, training, support and advocating for policies that reflect the interests of the business community. It also includes the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. 1. Introduction Business Central, incorporating the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, welcomes the opportunity t
Feb 237 min read
Employer Bulletin | 23 February 2026
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The Employment Relations Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.“This Bill is about backing business to hire with increased confidence. ”The Act will: Clarify contractor vs employee status with a four part ‘gateway test’ to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. Ensure accountability for serious
Feb 222 min read
ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards open for 2026, returning to Wellington with expanded reach
The ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards are now open for 2026, returning to Wellington and expanding to include exporters from the Nelson Tasman region for the first time. Building on the success of last year’s sold-out Central Region awards, the 2026 event will be held in Wellington at Parliament’s iconic banquet hall on the 11 th of June - continuing the alternating hosting arrangement between Wellington and Palmerston North and highlighting Wellington’s importance t
Feb 163 min read
Submission on the Crimes Act Amendment Bill 2025
We support the intent of this Bill as it relates to amending the monetary thresholds and penalties for theft. In our view, it takes necessary and overdue steps to restore consequences for shoplifting and related offending, and better recognise the harm caused by aggressive shoplifting.
Feb 164 min read
Employer Bulletin | 16 February
Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The government will contract to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in a critical step to strengthen New Zealand’s energy security and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts says. The decision follows extensive analysis and the first stage of procurement. “New Zealand is experiencing a renewable electricity boom, but a rapidly declining gas supply has left our electricity sector exposed dur
Feb 152 min read
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