A week in advocacy 

Coronavirus advice for business

• Exporters - daily updated information at NZTE
• Workplace - sick leave, quarantine checklist at BusinessNZ
• Finance - advice from NZ Bankers Association

Work visa delays

Immigration NZ’s Beijing office is closed and staff have been reassigned from processing work visa applications. Wait times for work visas and other visas are delayed.  The wait time for Essential Skills work visa applications to be allocated to an immigration officer is up to six weeks, Immigration NZ says.

Questions over fuel market regulation

Legislation to lower petrol prices would be popular but would raise concerns, BusinessNZ says.  The legislation has been proposed as a result of the market study into the fuel industry last year.   BusinessNZ says using market studies to influence firms to reduce prices raises concerns about over-regulation.

Still working on the RMA

Work to reform or replace the RMA continues.  The Act is now in its 30^th year of existence, and business dissatisfaction continues.  A Resource Management Amendment Bill and Resource Management Panel Review are currently under consideration.  BusinessNZ has contributed its views on business development and water resource issues affected by the RMA.

Back to Business

Businesses, politicians and decision makers gathered for BusinessNZ’s annual ‘back to business’ cocktail party in the capital this week.  Main talking points were prospects for 2020, possible outcomes from the General Election, and effects of coronavirus risk on business.

Sustainability catch up

Business members of the Sustainable Business Council caught up on the latest sustainability trends at the first meeting for 2020.  SBC members are the driving force behind the Climate Leaders Coalition which is bringing substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in NZ.

Capital Matters

Top minds in business come together at the Capital Matters conference: speakers from BusinessNZ, NZX, and Reserve Bank, experts on capital raising and digital strategies, media session with Grant Walker, and panel on politics - book now for Capital Matters, QT Hotel, Wellington, 12 March.

Health & safety survey

Safeguard magazine is running its 2020 survey of health & safety practices in NZ.  The annual survey tracks trends in perceptions of health & safety over time.  Your views as a business owner or executive are valued - please take the two minute survey here.