Low-key release sends mixed signals on video game support

NZ video game firms are calling for tax relief to match a generous offering from Australia. (Image: Dileepa Fonseka/Businessdesk)

Dileepa Fonseka

Wed, 17 May 2023

On Monday, the government quietly announced it was scoping out financial support for the gaming sector, or did it?A former deputy chief economic advisor at Treasury said the quiet release of the government’s Digital Industry Transformation plan(ITP) showed support for the video game sector is unlikely to be in the budget, and the sector is not holding its breath either.The official digital technologies ITP was published on Monday without so much as a press release. The plan highlighted the digital videogame sector as one of two key s...

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 }}

Retail

Restaurant Brands ‘does not seem to care’: Shareholder

At the fiery annual meeting, a shareholder called the Californian market a ‘sinkhole’.

Gregor Thompson 2:50pm

Infrastructure

Channel increases dividend, mulls ASX listing

Dividend up from 11c to between 12c and 12.5c.

Ian Llewellyn 12:00pm

Channel increases dividend, mulls ASX listing

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Friday, May 23

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

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

Sponsored

Ready for the C-Suite leap?

Part-time programme. Full-time leadership transformation.

University of Auckland Business School

More Technology

Law & Regulation

FMA warns against scheme run by crypto firm

The regulator said the scheme had no licence.

BD AI 22 May 2025

News in Brief

Google NZ sends $1b offshore as it increases profit

Google New Zealand had revenue of $87.2 million for the 12 months to Dec 31, 2024, up from the previous year’s $84.3m.The reported revenue is net of $1.05 billion in in-house service fees paid to Google’s US parent, up from the $959m the tech giant’s NZ operation sent offshore la...

Staff reporters 22 May 2025