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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.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

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

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

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

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

We recently hosted a panel discussion following the 2026 Budget announcement, featuring economist Cameron Bagrie, award winning ex-journalist Amanda Millar, director at Forté Recruitment Anita Murdoch, and moderator Jessica Mutch-McKay. While the conversation in the room was honest, pragmatic, and at times optimistic, there was one prevailing question – ‘what has changed?’ For many, the answer was simply; not a lot.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Budget 2026 is a responsible Budget that boosts funding for essential services and invests in the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future without breaking the bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The Government is embarking on a fundamental overhaul of the public service to improve services, lift productivity and deliver better value for money, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government Paul Goldsmith say.

This week’s announcement by the Government about major changes to the public sector workforce is a clear demonstration of how both challenges and opportunities can co-exist.

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

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

Introduction Business Central Wellington welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on Wellington City Council’s Annual Plan 2026/27. Our submission is framed through the lens of our Green Light Economy report, released in 2025 ahead of the local government election which sets out a clear, business-led vision for economic growth. A green light economy supports fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in the conditions that enable productivity, business confidence, l

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

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

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

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

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