Cyclone Gabrielle continues to impact the Hawke’s Bay and the effects will be long-lasting.
Critical infrastructure repairs are a top priority, but the damage wrought by the cyclone is not just physical – the mental health and wellbeing of business owners, employees and the broader community cannot be understated.
"The Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute was completely packed out on Friday evening to recognise the resilience of the Manawatū business community and the region as a whole," says Hope.
"It’s good to see the Government move quickly to lock in the policy changes signaled during the campaign," said John Milford, Chief Executive of Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
Policies advocated by Labour for the 2020 General Election form the basis of the new Government’s intentions towards economic management, infrastructure plans, and workplace relations.
The New Zealand Government has announced Alert Level 3 restrictions will be in place in Auckland from noon Wednesday 12 August until midnight Friday 14 August.
If your flight or travel plans are impacted by the alert level changes, Air New Zealand will credit you the full value of your flight. You can easily opt in for this credit yourself online. Please refrain from calling Air New Zealand at this time - thank you for your patience.
"We welcome that the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track) Bill is fast-tracking eleven infrastructure projects and paving the way for other projects to be sped up too," says Milford.
"Direct shipping access between Wellington and the major ports of Hong Kong, Keelung (Taiwan), Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou is a very welcome development for our region," says John Milford, chief executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
Wellington Chamber and Business Central Chief Executive, John Milford, said the size of the budget comes as no surprise considering the pandemic we are coming out of and the global economic crisis ahead.
"It has certainly not been easy and the lockdown has been stressful for business owners and employees alike.
The Manawatū Gorge replacement highway is a crucial transport link for the Lower North Island network. Since the closure of State Highway 3, now three years ago, the road transport industry has been forced to use side roads and residential streets not accustomed to heavy transport traffic.
"The Government has managed the situation well so far and have helped keep the lights on for many businesses, but some businesses are still finding it difficult to cope with expenses while at the same time not receiving any income.
"We appreciate the Hon. Grant Robertson’s update on the Government’s response to COVID-19.