Business of Government: marking your own homework, silo mentalities and more ...

The government's fiscal priorities aren't all black and white. (Image: Photosport)

Wed, 31 Jan 2024

You can’t beat a public servant on a good day …The latest survey data on what people think of public servants suggests they’re generally considered trustworthy and trying their best for their fellow New Zealanders.But, no surprise, the public service is also thought to be hopeless at working as a team and quickly circles the wagons whenever a ball is dropped.The OECD suggested that our public service needs to be more customer-focused and, in the parlance of modern management, become learning organisations that take their feed...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket rises strongly on power company gains

Positive day for Mercury and Meridian as well as a2 Milk despite gloom on global front.

Tom Raynel 04 Jun 2025

Economy

High bar for July rate cut – ASB

July cut can't be ruled out but there is value in waiting, ASB says.

Rebecca Howard 04 Jun 2025

Retail

McDonald’s NZ cuts dividend payment by $100m

The franchisors’ profits fell over 40% due to a deferred income tax expense.

Gregor Thompson 04 Jun 2025

McDonald’s NZ cuts dividend payment by $100m

Sponsored

New solar fund promises speed, scale – and strong returns

Unlike listed gentailers or rooftop panels, this fund targets the middle ground: agile 5MW solar farms with long-term purchase agreements.

MyFarm

Sponsored

Tired of missing out on getting to global summits to help grow your business?

Airwallex is offering a grant for NZ businesses to join the action.

Airwallex

More Public sector

Investigations

Axed public servants return as contractors

Stand-down policies patchy or ignored as former staff return shortly after leaving.

Cécile Meier 04 Jun 2025

News in Brief

ACC chair resigns ahead of reviews on operations

Accident Compensation Corporation chair Tracy Batten has resigned as ministers look for a turnaround plan to deal with the challenges it faces.ACC Minister Scott Simpson said he had accepted the resignation and thanked Batten for her service since 2019.“ACC as an organisation is...

Ian Llewellyn 30 May 2025