A business-friendly government? Yeah, right

Banks and supermarkets are not out of jail free with a centre-right government. (Image: Getty)

Tue, 14 Nov 2023

According to myth and legend, New Zealand business owners are happier with a “blue” than a “red” government, and that’s because National party-led governments “understand business better” than Labour-led ones.They’re probably right about that. The centre-right’s defining feature is instinctively sympathetic to the risks taken by the average NZ small businessperson to build a profitable company.The kind where staff, tax and invoices are all paid before the owner, year in and year out, an...

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.

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

NZ dollar benefiting from ‘sell US’ trade, more to come

The kiwi is at a five-month high.

Rebecca Howard 11:55am

Markets

Fed, tariff fears send Dow down over 900 points

Blue-chip index heads for its worst April since 1932.

The Wall Street Journal 10:30am

Fed, tariff fears send Dow down over 900 points

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Thursday, April 22

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

Sponsored

Go beyond reporting zero emissions

Clean energy that helps businesses and communities thrive

Meridian Energy

More Law & Regulation

Law & Regulation

Rachael Judge: Employers behaving badly

The consequences can be significant for employers.

Rachael Judge 5:00am

Economy

Rise in liquidations compounded by IRD crackdown

The IRD filed two-thirds of creditor applications in the March quarter.

Gregor Thompson 5:00am

Retail

ComCom clears Woolworths ready-meal deal

The Commerce Commission granted clearance for Woolworths Group to acquire ready-meal manufacturer Beak & Johnston.Through facilities in New Zealand and Australia, Beak & Johnston (B&J) makes and supplies ready-to-eat meals under its brands to grocery retailers, wholesalers, and f...

Gregor Thompson 17 Apr 2025

Law & Regulation

ComCom pushes KiwiRail to compensate customers for cancelled ferry sailings

Staff reporters 17 Apr 2025

A business-friendly government? Yeah, right

More Law & Regulation

Your company has a subscription

Team