top of page
All Posts
Wellington's revival will come from people
Originally published: The Post, 12 September 2026. A few weeks ago, a bunch of Wellington business leaders came together for a night at The Gods, the beautifully restored venue inside Wellington's old Paramount Theatre on Courtenay Place. More than 130 business owners, retail leaders, wealth managers, tertiary representatives, property investors, hospitality operators, developers, community leaders and people who care about Wellington gathered on a cold winter evening. To me,
11 minutes ago3 min read
Employer Bulletin | 14 September 2026
The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand decreased by $138 million (0.5%) in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
5 hours ago2 min read
Employer Bulletin | 8 September 2026
The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand decreased by $138 million (0.5%) in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
6 days ago1 min read
Employer Bulletin | 31 August 2026
The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand decreased by $138 million (0.5%) in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
Aug 312 min read
Wellington businesses call for practical action to unlock growth
Business Central, home of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, has released its Wellington Business Election Priorities 2026, setting out what Wellington businesses want from the next Government. Chief Executive Hayley Horan said Wellington has the talent and ideas to help lead New Zealand’s next phase of economic growth. "Wellington businesses have shown remarkable resilience in recent years, and what we’re seeing now is that they are ready to invest, employ and grow. What w
Aug 272 min read
Wellington Business Election Priorities 2026
Backing private sector growth These priorities focus on what Wellington needs from the next Government to restore confidence, attract investment and turn the capital’s strengths into stronger economic growth. Business Central represents more than 3,500 businesses across the central and lower North Island, and top of the South, and is part of the BusinessNZ network. We are also home to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Foreword from Hayley Horan Wellington is a city with dee
Aug 275 min read
Employer Bulletin | 24 August 2026
Electricity network costs are driving most of the increases in New Zealanders’ power bills and the sector needs to help make power more affordable, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer say.
Aug 242 min read
Employer Bulletin | 17 August 2026
Kiwi businesses can now find their share of the $400 million a year the government puts into business grants, funds, and equity schemes in minutes rather than hours, with the launch of the upgraded Funding Explorer, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Aug 172 min read
Employer Bulletin | 10 August 2026
New Zealand’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in the June 2026 quarter, in figures released by Stats NZ. “This compared with 5.4 percent in the March 2026 quarter,” labour market spokesperson Abby Johnston says.
Aug 102 min read
Small business focus adds to policy debate
Business Central says Labour’s small business package adds to an important contest of ideas on how New Zealand can better support small and medium-sized businesses. Business Central Chief Executive Hayley Horan says it is positive to see small business receiving attention in the policy debate. “Cashflow, late payments, compliance and the cost of investing are real issues for many businesses right now,” Horan says. “Practical policies that make it easier to run, grow and hire
Aug 61 min read
Employer Bulletin | 3 August 2026
The Employment Leave Bill has passed its third and final reading, ushering in a long-awaited overhaul of the law that provides employees with employment leave entitlements, like annual and sick leave, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.
Aug 32 min read
Employer Bulletin | 27 July 2026
The Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) has now supported more than $10 billion invested by businesses in research and development (R&D) activity, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Penny Simmonds says.
Jul 272 min read
Employer Bulletin | 20 July 2026
Amendments to the primary work health and safety law, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, have now received Royal Assent. The amendments aim to focus the health and safety system on critical risk so that businesses are clear about the most important things to focus on. It’s part of the government’s wider health and safety reforms.
Jul 202 min read
Business Central Position Statement: Shaping the Future of the Wellington Region
Introduction The Government's local government reform programme presents one of the most significant chances in decades for the Wellington region to think differently about its future. While much of the current discussion has focused on governance structures and council boundaries, those questions are only one part of a much broader conversation. The decisions made over the coming year will influence how the region plans infrastructure, attracts investment, supports business
Jul 183 min read
Employer Bulletin | 13 July 2026
Kiwi businesses are on track for up to $800 million a year in productivity gains once eInvoicing is fully adopted, with uptake already more than doubling in the past year as businesses get paid faster and spend less time on paperwork, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Jul 131 min read
Employer Bulletin | 7 July 2026
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, marking a major milestone in the Government’s overhaul of New Zealand’s health and safety system, and delivering on the ACT-National coalition agreement, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.
Jul 62 min read
Business community welcomes stronger voice in Wellington’s economic future
Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce welcome the establishment of new business advisory groups for Wellington, describing the move as a constructive step toward stronger engagement between local government and the business community. Wellington City Council has announced three expert business advisory groups to help inform a five-year plan of economic growth in the city. The groups will focus on property, infrastructure and housing; technology, science, edu
Jul 12 min read
Employer Bulletin | 29 June 2026
Legislation to implement the historic New Zealand – India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has passed its first reading, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says. “India is one of the world’s largest economies and is the fastest-growing economy in the G20. With a GDP equivalent to seven trillion New Zealand dollars and an average growth of 8.25 percent since 2021, it represents a major opportunity for New Zealand businesses.
Jun 292 min read
Employer Bulletin | 22 June 2026
This week’s GDP figures confirm the economy had real momentum at the beginning of this year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ figures put GDP growth for the March 2026 quarter at 0.8 percent.
Jun 222 min read
Golden Mile and Courtney Place Pathways for Intervention
Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce welcome the opportunity to comment on the future of the Golden Mile project. We support investment in Wellington's city centre and recognise the important role a vibrant CBD plays in supporting economic growth, business confidence, employment, visitor activity and Wellington's attractiveness as New Zealand's capital city. Business Central's Green Light Economy report identifies city revitalisation as a key priority for W
Jun 172 min read
Our Partner Networks
bottom of page