Labour shortages strangle business confidence: NZIER

Labour shortages strangle business confidence: NZIER
Rising costs, labour shortages and covid's impact is weighing on business sentiment. (Image: Getty)
Rebecca Howard
The prolonged covid-19 outbreak and restrictions took a bite out of business confidence and demand in the December quarter, setting a downbeat tone for business sentiment going into 2022.A net 34% of firms now expect general economic conditions to deteriorate versus a net 11% that were pessimistic in the prior quarterly business confidence survey from the NZ Institute of Economic Research.  “The downbeat mood was widespread across most of New Zealand, with businesses across the region except Wellington on balance expecting a worsenin...

More Economy

NZ affected as Microsoft cuts up to 6,000 jobs
Economy

NZ affected as Microsoft cuts up to 6,000 jobs

Microsoft's NZ employees are caught up in a global restructure some have linked to AI.

Calder Stewart pitches 200ha Otago freight hub and inland port
Economy

Calder Stewart pitches 200ha Otago freight hub and inland port

The family-owned firm is up against another inland port proposal in Mosgiel.

Oliver Lewis 14 May 2025
How to slash 1% of national emissions in one go
Economy

How to slash 1% of national emissions in one go

NZ Steel is on track to commission its $300m electric furnace from December.

Oliver Lewis 14 May 2025
US-China tariff deal eases risks, Budget 2025 remains tight
Economy

US-China tariff deal eases risks, Budget 2025 remains tight

Economists remain firm in their view that Budget 2025 will be lean.

Rebecca Howard 14 May 2025