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.
Webflicks Founder/Producer Lou Harness shares ten ways to prepare for your on-camera appearance. In this age of remote working and digital-first communication we’re all on-camera now more than ever before – whether we like it or not. From the now ubiquitous video conferencing, webinar panels and shoot and share social video through to brand video featuring employees – video is everywhere in business. And while we’re all pretty down with Zoom or the odd candid social moment, it’s another thing when you need to face the camera for website brand or evergreen video projects. We’ve interviewed an incredible range of people – from Founder and CEO level through to private individuals on deeply personal subjects. Some people are naturally confident and articulate
West Coast eco-business Glacier Valley Eco Tours suffered a major hit during Covid’s lockdowns. DOC’s Jobs for Nature initiative proved to be a lifesaver for its owners. Tash and Cliff Goodwin from Glacier Valley Eco Tours are passionate about their backyard. While the borders were closed due to Covid-19, they were quietly working together with other businesses and organisations to maintain and enhance their local environment. Development West Coast (DWC) chief executive Heath Milne says it has been an incredibly difficult couple of years for businesses in Glacier Country, who have been hard hit by the border closures. “During the downturn many local businesses have been putting in hard mahi through Department of Conservation’s Jobs for Nature programme as well
A new $20 million fund and incubation initiative designed to address the high failure rate of New Zealand startups with a social or environmental purpose has launched. According to latest Government data, startup survival rates in New Zealand, including those with a social imperative, have declined by 45 percent over the past six years – a trend that began prior to the current pandemic.[1] Nous Labs, a new organisation which provides investment, mentoring, coaching and marketing support for environmentally and socially focused Kiwi enterprises in their early stages of growth, is the creation of Brianne West founder and CEO of the country’s largest regenerative beauty product exporter, Ethique. West (pictured) says it is critical Kiwi startups which are purpose-led be
New Zealand’s first voluntary carbon credit marketplace aims to restore native biodiversity and help the country reach its carbon zero goals by selling the first carbon credits exclusively from native forest. Climate change PhD candidate Finn Ross (pictured) is the young entrepreneurial founder of Carbonz (pronounced carbon zee). He says the foundation of the business is rooted in allowing Kiwi businesses and investors to maximise the impact of their carbon offsets via supporting native forest. “There is currently little liquidity in the New Zealand marketplace for carbon credits. Typically, carbon credits are sold in large blocks via the Emissions Trading Scheme with infrequent trades,” says Finn. “The existing Emissions Trading Scheme for carbon offset purchases is not well set up for
New State of the Workplace research reveals that company values are the new currency when it comes to employee retention in a post-covid economy.
Making sure compostable stuff actually ends up as compost – that’s the goal of futurist Rachael Neale. It all begins with her Compostaway initiative.
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.
Latest issue
Read the March issue of NZBusiness, focused on intentional growth — with practical insights, expert perspectives, and real-world stories.
Latest articles
