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The contributions of some of Wellington’s most prominent businesspeople were celebrated last night at the 2025 Wellington Address, hosted at Pipitea Marae. For the third-year running, the event recognised the mahi and relentless energy of three individuals and one business who have made outstanding contributions to our city. They are people who inspire others and help Wellington’s business community prosper and thrive. This year saw the beginning of a new era for The Wellingt

The government welcomes new data showing a healthy growth in international visitor numbers and improved confidence across the tourism industry. “International tourism, as New Zealand’s second highest export earner, is a key part of our economic recovery,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “So, it is great to see that international visitor arrivals in August were up 7.5% from the same time last year. With summer around the corner, we are making steady progr

Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the appointment of Hayley Horan as its Chief Executive Officer, effective 10 November. As CEO, Ms Horan will lead the organisation’s strategic direction, member engagement, and policy influence. Ms Horan is a seasoned executive with a demonstrated history of bringing together business, government, and education to build more connected and resilient regional economies. Ms Horan has extensive networ

New Zealand businesses will have a better shot at winning government contracts as a result of changes to government procurement rules, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The new rules agreed to by Cabinet will take effect on 1 December. “More than 900 submissions were received during consultation on the new rules earlier this year,” Ms Willis says. “Businesses shared that the lack of weighting for New Zealand’s interests in the evaluation criteria was holding them

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly Business Confidence Survey highlights the need for Council to prioritize pro-business reform, Acting Chief Executive, Amanda Wood says. “Nearly 60% of businesses surveyed were very unsatisfied with the Council’s performance in supporting the business community and local economy, with 35% being very unsatisfied with their interactions with Council.” Businesses were asked if they felt supporting and growing business in Wellington i

The economy contracted in the June 2025 quarter, while unemployment continued to rise. New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.9 percent in the June 2025 quarter, following a 0.9 percent increase in the March 2025 quarter. Manufacturing, down 3.5 percent, was the main contributor to the quarterly fall in GDP. Construction, down 1.8 percent, also contributed. GDP fell 1.1 percent over the year ended June 2025 compared with the year ended June 2024. GDP per capita fe

Cabinet has agreed to policy proposals for new employment leave legislation: a simpler and more workable replacement for the Holidays Act 2003. Progressing reforms to the Holidays Act to simplify the law, give businesses certainty and reduce compliance costs is an action under the government's Going for Growth plan. New Zealand’s current leave system is complex and confusing. Employers struggle to understand and apply the Holidays Act correctly, and workers struggle to unders

Business Central welcomes the Government’s decision to replace the Holidays Act with a new Employment Leave Act next year. Business Central Acting Chief Executive Amanda Wood says it’s a long-awaited move that will bring much-needed clarity and simplicity to leave entitlements, and it is positive that the planned new legislation will contain the policy recommendations of Business Central members. "The shift to an hours-based approach for calculating leave is particularly welc

Economic data released reflects the impact of global uncertainty on consumers and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ figures released show real Gross Domestic Product fell 0.9 per cent in the second quarter of the year after a 0.9 per cent increase in the first three months of the year. “The second quarter of the year started the day before United States tariffs were announced,” Nicola Willis says. “The economy had been growing strongly in the previous

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the Government’s announcement of updates to the Commerce Act, released as part of its Going for Growth agenda. Acting Chief Executive Amanda Wood says the changes provide a helpful step toward greater clarity and certainty for businesses. "Clearer rules and oversight give local businesses more confidence to plan for growth while maintaining integrity and public trust. "Certainty in how businesses can work together is important f

Total actual filled jobs in the June 2025 quarter were 2.26 million. In the June 2025 quarter (compared with the March 2025 quarter): total seasonally adjusted filled jobs were down 0.5% (10,560 jobs). For the year ended June 2025 (compared with the year ended June 2024): total gross earnings were up 1.5% ($2.6 billion). An annual comparison is used for earnings to account for payroll timing differences between quarters. At an industry level, the largest changes in season

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a continuation of a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy. Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 36 employers and other stakeholders in Hamilton, reinforcing job opportunities across the Waikato region. “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has today released its report, Green Light Economy: The Path to a More Resilient Wellington Through Private Sector Growth, setting out a bold vision to address Wellington’s major challenges and supercharge its commercial future. “We are proud to present this report for Wellington as we head into the mayoralty race for 2025” said Greg Pollock, Chair of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. “Wellington has all the right ingredients to thrive, f

The New Zealand–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has officially entered into force, opening the door to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced. “The NZ–UAE CEPA delivers up to an estimated $42 million in tariff savings per year for Kiwi exporters and the wider economy,” Mr McClay says. “From today, 98.5 percent of New Zealand’s exports to the UAE will enter duty-fre

Falling interest rates are good for growth, businesses, jobs and Kiwis paying off their mortgages, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank announced that it was reducing the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3% and signalled two further reductions this year. “The latest reduction means the OCR has now fallen from 5.5% to 3% in just a year,” Ms Willis says. “I welcome the bank’s decision to respond to a difficult second quarter of the year with more stimulus.

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Labour market statistics provide a picture of the New Zealand labour market, including unemployment and employment rates, demand for labour, and changes in wages and salaries. In the June 2025 quarter, compared with the March 2025 quarter, the: unemployment rate was 5.2%, compared with 5.1% underutilisation rate was 12.8%, compared with 12.4% employment rate was 66.8%, compared with 67.1%. In the year ended June 2025:

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: More than 5,300 young Kiwis will benefit from new funding which invests in their business potential, develops enterprise skills, and better prepares them for their future work environment, Youth Minister James Meager has announced. Mr Meager confirmed the $1.5 million Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) funding for 11 community-based providers, while speaking at the INVOLVE youth sector conference in Christchurch. “The

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with manufacturers to help businesses focus on managing genuine risks rather than navigating red tape. “We’re simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing exposure standards to reduce complexity and improve consistency in the manufacturing sector,” says Ms van Velden. The proposed changes aim to ensure standards reflect real-world risks and alig

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced the establishment of a new institute to grow New Zealand’s advanced technology sector and boost high-value exports. Minister Reti says the new public research organisation, to be named the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT), will play a leading role in turning world-class science into commercial success. “The Institute will focus

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week: The Government’s responsible fiscal management has supported the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced it would keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3.25% while continuing to foreshadow further reductions in the OCR. “There has been a 2.25 percentage point reduction in the Official Cash Rate since August last year – easing the cost