Business View Oceania - Oct 2023

39 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 influential group of businesses as a core part of the BusinessNZ Network.” Kirk says other parts of the BusinessNZ Network look after specific kinds of businesses, including manufacturers, energy- related companies and businesses located in different regions of New Zealand. “As well as helping firms succeed and grow, a key part of our work is in advocating for a better business environment in which to operate. “Our members recognise that laws and regulations have the potential to either help or harm business, and they are keen to have a strong voice advocating for business in the halls of power. “A lot of my work as chief executive of BusinessNZ consists of advocacy to Government, politicians and other decision- makers, based on policy work undertaken by our team of analysts and economists.” The BusinessNZ Network’s policy team analyses proposed policies and laws relating to business, and makes recommendations to Government based on feedback from businesses in the Network. Key issues currently exercising the minds of members include tax, skills and employment relations. “Our business members are very aware that a lower tax rate is a competitive advantage - both for a company and a country - and they are keen to have ongoing advocacy aimed at reducing the tax burden on businesses in New Zealand. “BusinessNZ was happy to be a part of the most recent official Tax Working Group set up to advise on future tax directions for New Zealand, and it was helpful to be able to focus on the tax needs of businesses as part of that exercise.” Kirk Hope says another issue concerning businesses is the difficulty many have in finding staff with the right qualifications and experience. BUSINESSNZ “Skills shortages are always a big issue in New Zealand - it’s a fact of life that a small country with a population of only 5 million will always struggle to find enough appropriately-skilled staff. The BusinessNZ Network is advocating for changes to the education system to ensure the best-possible pipeline of skilled Kiwis emerges from school and higher education. There’s also a lot of advocacy directed at improving the country’s immigration