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Nearly half of all businesses surveyed listed a shortage of skilled labour as the main barrier to their business - with 75% saying it is harder to find staff than this time last year, and a similar number experiencing increased salary expectations. 

"This fiasco has gone on too long, it’s time for answers, and time for someone to take responsibility and leadership," says Hamish Mexted, Chair of the Porirua Chamber of Commerce.

"This is having a serious impact for businesses around the Parliament and across Wellington - additional pressure especially for our many hospitality and retail businesses, who are already making tough decisions facing a downturn at the red traffic light level, with this adding to further lost re

At a time when business is recovering from ongoing pandemic shocks, facing a range of global economic challenges, and preparing for numerous significant reforms, we urge the government to exercise caution before placing unnecessary costs onto business.

The Government argues the scale and separate balance sheet will save money, enable borrowing to fund investment, take the financial pressure off councils, build capability and capacity, and make New Zealand’s water usage more sustainable. 

The proposals include recycling of the Council’s asset portfolio and the use of alternative funding tools, such as partnering with businesses to strengthen and rebuild Civic Square, to fund what Wellington needs as part of the Wellington City Council’s Ten Year Long Term Plan.

Simon, a born and bred Wellingtonian, is currently based in Melbourne and will be returning to New Zealand to take up the role. Simon will replace outgoing Chief Executive, John Milford, who finished in the role at the end of 2020. 

"Overall, businesses’ confidence has improved significantly quarter-on-quarter and while there is still room for improvement in some areas, we can say that businesses are the most optimistic they have been all year," says John Milford, Chief Executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Bus

"The Government must follow through and provide more information about the lead-times and detail about what needs to happen for the bubble to open," says John Milford, Chief Executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. 

The results of the latest Central New Zealand business confidence survey show a gain in confidence in the business community after what has been a difficult year, says the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central.

"The Taskforce brought together members from different parts of the Wellington community, including the Chamber, and we have come to an agreement as to what needs to happen next," says John Milford, Chief Executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.