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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.

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.

The Government has simplified the Fuel Response Plan preparing for the unlikely event of a prolonged global fuel shortage, based on feedback from consultation with businesses, industry leaders and other key stakeholders.

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