In an article published on Newsroom this morningCatriona MacLennan challenges the Government's mantra that work lifts families out of poverty, arguing that the spread of labour hire work at the expense of permanent employment exacerbates the problem Hard-won employment protections achieved over more than a century are being eroded by the emergence of labour hire companies in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere. These companies operate as intermediaries between workers and the organisations for which work is carried out. Examples are cleaning, airline catering and airport baggage safety officers. Instead of being employed by the…

The Government has today outlined new measures to promote a more competitive economy, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean says. “Competition is one of the key drivers of economic success which is why the Government is focused on creating a competitive economy which delivers results and choice for New Zealanders,” Ms Dean says. “The Business Growth Agenda Paper, Promoting Competition, which I am releasing today sets out what actions we’re taking to lift competition for the benefit of New Zealand’s consumers.” The Government has agreed on three broad areas of focus: Maintaining the effectiveness of New Zealand’s competition laws…

The technology sector is booming in the South Island, especially Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and Queenstown, Delta Insurance’s Karl Samson, the only liability underwriter on the ground in the South Island, says. Delta offers much more than insurance for technology risks, they are recognised as market leaders in the broad Liability Insurance market and this ranges from very standard coverages such as Public Liability and Statutory Liability right through to more niche products such as UAV (Drone) insurance,” Samson says. “But in particular, Delta’s offerings for technology and cyber liability are a great fit for key South Island technology companies. We…

Revenue Minister Judith Collins has welcomed a second round of negotiations between China and New Zealand tax officials aimed at updating the current double tax agreement signed between the two countries in 1986. “The aim is to agree a new treaty, adopting modern treaty language and concepts, including agreed measures to deal with base erosion and profit shifting,” Ms Collins says. New Zealand tax officials will meet with Chinese officials in Beijing next week for the second time since 2014, to discuss a new treaty. Double tax agreements are an important facilitator of trade and investment between countries because they…

The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) today filed charges against Pacific Aerospace Limited for three breaches of the United Nations Sanctions (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Regulations 2006, and one charge under section 203(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Act 1996. The charges are in relation to the export of aircraft parts, and for making an erroneous declaration about parts exported inside the aircraft but not declared. The maximum penalty for a breach of the Regulations is a maximum of 12 months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $10,000 in the case of an individual or in the case of…

Staples Australia and New Zealand has announced a rebranding and service-oriented pivot following Platinum Equity’s acquisition of the local division earlier this year. The company will be retitled ‘Winc’, a name the company said was derived from the term “work incorporated”, and is expected to represent a “breakaway from traditional competitors” as the company adjusts its focus to more than just office product reselling. Winc will continue to serve Staples ANZ’s more than 26,000 customers, including banks, telcos and healthcare providers from sites across both Australia and New Zealand. Chief executive Darren Fullerton said the brand was “designed to bring…

By Alex Tarrant New Zealand’s manufacturers have issued a series of challenges to politicians on both sides of the aisle, saying leadership is needed on tertiary training to close skills shortage gaps, on research and development (R&D) incentives, and on readying the economy for the growth of automation. In a Double Shot Interview with Interest.co.nz, New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) CEO Dieter Adam told Alex Tarrant that his organisation’s members were crying out to be heard on issues central to the future of the sector. The NZMEA on Monday was set to host Finance Minister Steven Joyce, Labour’s…

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) announces today that it has completed the sale of Air Liquide Welding, its subsidiary specialized in the manufacture of welding and cutting technologies, to Lincoln Electric France SAS, subsidiary of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (“Lincoln Electric”) (Nasdaq : LECO). This sale follows the signed agreement announced on April 27th 2017, with Lincoln Electric, the world leader in design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment, and the related usual regulatory approvals, including competition authorities’ approval. Air Liquide is focused on its Gas & Services activities following the acquisition…

When American Matthew Monahan first visited New Zealand, the Silicon Valley software developer was struck by a sense of possibility. Seven years later, the 33-year-old is helping the government lure other foreign entrepreneurs to the bottom of the world. It’s not a tough sell: the country’s strong economy, relative safety, political stability and famous natural beauty attracted a record 131,000 migrants in the year to June. “It feels like you can do things in New Zealand you can’t do anywhere else,” said Monahan, who in 2012 sold the family history website he created with brother Brian for $100 million and…

BusinessNZ today released its Election Manifesto. Based on a survey of employers throughout New Zealand*, the Manifesto outlines seven priorities that business would like to see enacted after the 2017 General Election. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said businesses want a Government that will reduce taxes, fix problem legislation, and boost growth in the regions. "Business wants to see a tax cut for all categories of taxpayer early in the first term of the new Government, and no new taxes of any kind." Mr Hope said employers in many sectors were worried about being unable to fill job vacancies, and…

 Taranaki DailyNews reports  that Taranaki's Amtec Engineering at Bell Block closed and made all of its staff redundant last week. The downturn in the oil and gas industry has forced a Taranaki engineering company to shut up shop and lay off all of its staff. On Friday employees at Amtec Engineering, Connett Rd East Bell Block, were called into a meeting and told they were all being made redundant. The company's 44 staff were given a letter stating while the business' directors had hoped things would improve, it was closing the doors on the basis it was insolvent and was…