The NZBR has taken a close interest in securities market regulation. A recurring theme has been a plea for more rigorous analysis of problems and of the likely efficacy of proposed remedies. Read more
The Auckland City Council (the Council) is to be commended for the steps that it is taking to concentrate on its core activities and reduce the rate of growth in spending and rates. The proposed strategic plan is also better focused and more realistic than the previous strategic plan, The First City of the Pacific, which has justifiably been discarded. Read more
In submissions over the past few years, we have called on the Wellington City Council (the Council) to focus on its core business, exit from other activities and implement more efficient funding arrangements. By focusing on its core activities the Council could cut expenditure and rates, which we believe is an essential step towards making Wellington an attractive place for business. Read more
The New Zealand Business Roundtable submits that the best way for the government to eliminate uncertainty created by the current tariff freeze would be to announce that the programme of tariff reductions in place prior to the freeze is to resume in 2005. Read more
Broadly, the proposed changes are aimed at extending coverage of the HSE Act, encouraging employee/union participation in workplace health and safety and strengthening the enforcement provisions of the Act. Read more
In this submission, we do not undertake a clause-by-clause analysis of the TERB, but identify a number of wider policy reforms that would help achieve the goals being sought by the government through the TERB. Read more
The NZBR does not support the proposed PPL Bill. There are a number of reasons for this, which are discussed in this submission. Read more
A thorough revision of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) is warranted. The new act must, however, be based on sound principles. Read more
From the viewpoint of New Zealanders' living standards, the most important commitment the government has made is to restore New Zealand to the top half of the OECD income rankings. It has also stated a goal of achieving a 3 percent unemployment rate. Read more
We believe that ratification would have far-reaching and harmful implications for economic activity in new Zealand, and for the standards of New Zealanders. It would put the competitiveness of many major industries at risk, yet any environmental benefits arising from the protocol would be barely discernible. Read more
Australia is by far the most important destination for direct investment by New Zealanders. Balance of Payments statistics indicate that Australia accounted for 64 percent of total direct investment abroad by New Zealanders over the last five years (see the attached Appendix). Read more
We have publicly commended the minister for his handling of the winter electricity shortage. Although the government inherited an imperfect market, it was wise to reject calls for further ill-conceived interventions at a time of market disruption. Read more
The NZBR has taken a close interest in Commerce Act issues because of the Commerce Act's pervasive influence on commercial decision making in New Zealand. We presented a submission on the Commerce Amendment Bill to the Commerce Select Committee in July 1999 and this submission should be read in conjunction with the earlier one. Read more
The serious deficiencies of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) are widely recognised. A thorough revision of the Act is warranted. Read more
The NZBR welcomes the opportunity to make this submission on the Issues Paper released by the Tax Review in June 2001. We consider the Issues Paper is a high quality document that sets out the principles that should guide tax policy development in a sound manner, clearly identifies the implications of applying those principles to the reform of the tax base, eco-taxation, tax rates, entity taxation, international tax and the tax treatment of savings and provides interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the Review's preliminary thoughts on options for reform. Read more