New Zealand would be great if it wasn't for the customers

Value-add is more observed in the talking than the value-adding. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 17 Jun 2024

If New Zealand had a dollar for every time it talked about the national need to add value there would be no current account deficit. Unfortunately we don’t, we instead have words in the form of reports, chief executive speeches, and think tank press releases coupled with a current account deficit. When it comes to New Zealand Inc, our motto is supposed to be "value over volume" but across tourism, retail, hospitality, agriculture and other sectors, we are more like someone trying to sell a $2 sausage sizzle for $20 who...

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 }}

Economy

Jones looking at gas rationing

“The wholesale hollowing out of the regional manufacturing sector.”

Ian Llewellyn 2:40pm

Markets

Metroglass recap plan hands control to Amari Metals

An independent report said Metroglass was left with “no viable alternatives”.

Gregor Thompson 1:30pm

Metroglass recap plan hands control to Amari Metals

Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: Treasury signals need for independent fiscal watchdog

Cameron Bagrie 10:00am

Sponsored

Why NZ businesses lag on solar and the adoption of clean on-site renewable energy

Aussie firms are beating Kiwis in solar use – but that can change.

Lightforce

Sponsored

A decade in, Spark’s AI journey is paying off

The telco’s use of AI offers insights for every Kiwi business.

Spark

More Economy

Economy

Jones looking at gas rationing

“The wholesale hollowing out of the regional manufacturing sector.”

Ian Llewellyn 2:40pm

Economy

Treasury says covid spending overcooked

A new Treasury paper has criticised the last Government for overspending during the pandemic, leaving the country with a high level of public debt that makes it vulnerable to future shocks.The paper calculated the total cost of the pandemic at about $66 billion. It put the total...

Staff reporters 07 Aug 2025