All Posts

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

New Zealand's small businesses are getting a boost of AI-powered support to unlock new growth opportunities with new Government funding announced today, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Cameron Brewer says.

The first of two shipments of New Zealand’s diesel reserve is now on its way to New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.

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.

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.