Loosen immigration settings now, says ANZ boss Antonia Watson

Loosen immigration settings now, says ANZ boss Antonia Watson
The businesses she's talking to are crying out for staff, says ANZ's Antonia Watson. (Image: Supplied)
Pattrick Smellie
New Zealand businesses are “crying out” for workers and the government needs to loosen immigration settings to help them meet demand, says the NZ chief executive of the ANZ Bank, Antonia Watson.Speaking to the media at a breakfast in Melbourne for an NZ trade delegation and just after remarks by the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, Watson said the “big focus” of discussions with Ardern was “still immigration”.“I totally understand we want a more productive economy,” said Watson, referring to the go...

More Policy

Ferry Holdings assessing Clifford Bay alternative ruled out
Policy

Ferry Holdings assessing Clifford Bay alternative ruled out

Ferry Holdings only has a mandate to look at Picton, Winston Peters tells backers.

Oliver Lewis 26 Aug 2025
Supply chain inefficiencies stymieing NZ exporters
Policy

Supply chain inefficiencies stymieing NZ exporters

“We are paying 50-60% more to get our freight to India.” 

Oliver Lewis 25 Aug 2025
Stop raising bank capital ratios now, says competition report
Finance

Stop raising bank capital ratios now, says competition report

Select committee recommends an immediate end to increasing capital ratios. 

Pattrick Smellie 22 Aug 2025
US helicopter purchases 'not connected' to tariffs: Peters
Policy

US helicopter purchases 'not connected' to tariffs: Peters

Defence Minister Collins said the Government looked at "all available options".

Gregor Thompson 21 Aug 2025