Entries are now open for the 2026 David Awards, with this year marking a new chapter for the long-running small business awards programme as NZBusiness steps into the role of Official Steward.
When consumers start watching every dollar, many businesses reach for familiar tactics: bigger discounts, louder promotions and more urgent calls to buy.
As New Zealand businesses enter a new financial year, the economic outlook remains mixed.
A new survey reveals most SME operators are already taking action as Middle East tensions push fuel costs higher.
Over 300 entries mark another milestone year for the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, with the Gala Dinner set for May in Auckland.
As brands compete for attention in a crowded market, Marvel Experiences is helping businesses reconnect through thoughtful, high-impact real-world moments.
Read the March issue of NZBusiness, focused on intentional growth — with practical insights, expert perspectives, and real-world stories.
When petrol prices surge, the national conversation usually focuses on motorists. But the real economic risk isn’t the family car, it’s the systems that keep the country moving.
Canterbury has claimed the title of New Zealand’s strongest-performing region for the second quarter running according to ASB report.
New data from small business platform Thryv reveals that while AI adoption among New Zealand SMEs is now mainstream, the majority are still struggling to turn experimentation into real productivity gains.
Many successful SMEs rely heavily on their founders, leaving businesses vulnerable if key decisions suddenly can’t be made. Clear governance and succession planning are crucial to protect both the company and the family.
From hyper-growth to near-collapse, Ārepa co-founder Angus Brown shares the hard lessons, tough calls and strategic pivots that helped steer the business through crisis and back toward stability.
Joseph Darby is reshaping investment management and financial advice for goal-driven Kiwis, here’s what he believes it takes to achieve financial freedom.
Payroll changes from 1 April 2026 will affect wages, KiwiSaver contributions, and ACC levies. Shannon Goodwin and Brendan Clough of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway explain what SME owners need to check now to stay compliant and avoid surprises.
Gen Z entrepreneurship isn’t just about tech start-ups or chasing scale. For young Kiwis like Stuart Savage, it’s about creativity, culture, and community – building ventures that carry meaning, craft, and legacy.
As AI changes how customers research and choose brands, traditional marketing is being upended. Auckland’s The Optimisers highlights the rise of AI answers, agent-led recommendations, and the need for “machine legibility” to stay visible and relevant.
EMS says the introduction of the Employment Leave Bill to Parliament marks a long-awaited step toward resolving ongoing issues with New Zealand’s Holidays Act.
While New Zealand SMEs are up on confidence, Elise Balsillie says this alone is not enough to secure growth, and that credibility is key.
MTF Finance Board Chair Mark Darrow will retire at the end of his current term in mid-2026, bringing to a close a six-year tenure at the New Zealand-owned lender.
Discover practical tips to build trust through authentic sustainability communication, and examples of businesses leading the way.
Small business sales in New Zealand climbed to a three-year high at the end of 2025 according to the latest data from Xero.
Nyssa Waters explains where SMEs are missing out on AI gains, and how to turn funding support into measurable business impact.
Expert says designing franchise systems around head office convenience rather than franchisee success is a mistake.
New research commissioned by Experian reveals that 58 percent of New Zealand organisations have experienced a year-on-year increase in fraud losses.
When Simon Squibb visited New Zealand earlier this year, he helped turn a local café worker’s dream into reality – and shared why small businesses, courage and community matter more than ever.
Pattern’s 2026 Marketplace Consumer Report reveals the sector is entering a new phase – and it’s one increasingly defined by global scale rather than local competition.
New Zealand’s economic direction takes centre stage at the New Zealand Economics Forum 2026, themed Big Choices for a Small Nation.
New report speaks to the “emotional tax” end of financial years has on entrepreneurs across the country.
Health and safety experts have criticised the Government’s proposed changes to workplace safety law, warning they will not improve safety outcomes for small businesses.
New Zealand’s angel investment market is showing signs of renewed momentum, according to a new report.
BOINZ 2022 Conference & Exhibition has a great line up of speakers this year! We look forward to seeing you at this fantastic industry event where the opportunity for networking and collaborating in person is happening once again. Rotorua, August 8th-10th, 2022 Registration closes at 5pm on Sunday 17 July register today to secure your spot at our conference.
Price is only one lever in a good negotiation. Are you considering all the other facets you could use during a negotiation? Boost your negotiation skills to create more value and build win-win partnerships with our one-day immersive workshop – Negotiating with Confidence. This workshop offers fundamental and practical negotiation techniques applicable to negotiation in many contexts and situations. Participants will gain hands-on experience in a risk-free and interactive environment. For more info, please read the brochure here – Negotiating with Confidence. Location: Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, 8/10 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay, Auckland 1071 Date: 25 Aug 2022 Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm This workshop will be facilitated by Michael Fooks, Indicator Head Trainer.
Self-employed New Zealanders are losing around two million hours a week (approximately $3.2 billion per year) in productivity, due to the burden of tax and financial administration. Meanwhile 75 percent believe the 2022 Budget would have either zero or a negative effect on their business, according to the latest results from the independent Sole Trader Pulse survey. Sole traders are a significant part of New Zealand’s economy, making up almost 20 percent of the workforce. The independent survey, commissioned by Hnry, also reveals many have a pessimistic outlook on the economy’s health, with just over 40 percent saying conditions will be poor, or very poor, in six months’ time. James Fuller (pictured), CEO and co-founder of accountancy firm Hnry, says despite increased earnings
Rubber Monkey has launched a NZ$2.5m capital raise to fund further Australian expansion and drive growth. Rubber Monkey, the e-commerce platform for creatives, is seeking to raise up to NZ$2.5m of new capital through online investment platform, Snowball Effect, to expand its Australian presence and drive its growth plans. The company was founded through a shared passion for music and film by Laurence Alexander and Nigel Stanford, former TradeMe CEO and Mighty Ape major shareholder. Laurence and Nigel identified the opportunity to create a specialist offering for the creative community. Rubber Monkey brings industry-leading audio, visual and photography products to New Zealand and Australian shores at competitive prices with superior customer service. It has more than 94,000 products listed on
As New Zealand’s small businesses emerge from two years of sporadic lockdowns and restrictions on trade, many may now be at risk of not having adequate insurance in place. The environment is ripe for small business owners being underinsured – where you don’t have enough insurance to cover a loss – and they may need to be on high alert to not get caught out. “Insurance is not a set-and-forget product. It covers the risk of what a business faces, which is constantly changing,” says Jane Mason, Head of Product, Channels & Risk for SME insurance platform BizCover. “There are many risks in the current operating landscape for small businesses, and with it changes the amount of risk they take
Empathy, pragmatism and playing the long game are key in current lease negotiations. Damian Botherway offers this useful guide to leasing for business owners. The Covid pandemic has caused economic turmoil for business the effects of which are likely to be felt for some time yet. The vast majority of SMBs operate from leased premises and it goes without saying that the effects of this uncertain landscape are spilling over to both tenants and landlords. What we are seeing as this pandemic rolls along are businesses suffering reduced turnover, reduced business confidence and a softening in demand for commercial rental space as businesses close or relocate. Putting aside the specific terms of Deed of Lease for a moment there is
Upcoming event
Thursday 28 May 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland
Join us for a practical, insight-led morning exploring how Kiwi businesses are navigating today’s conditions and unlocking new growth opportunities in 2026.
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Read the March issue of NZBusiness, focused on intentional growth — with practical insights, expert perspectives, and real-world stories.
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