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.
The FTCNZ has strengthened business relations between Fiji and New Zealand further by showcasing Fiji’s finest skincare brands at a leading Expo.
Results from a recent Adobe study of more than 1,000 New Zealand consumers and 100 senior business leaders reveals a strong correlation between brand trust and consumer behaviour. Among Kiwi consumers, 57 percent say they will stop purchasing from brands that break their trust, while the data shows consumers will spend more each year with trusted brands. When asked whether they consider digital or in-person experiences to be more important in driving trust, only 14 percent of New Zealand consumers favoured digital experiences, compared to more than a third of APAC consumers (35 percent). This compares to 35 percent who say that in-person experiences are more important as trust enablers, and 52 percent that say that both are equally important.
New AUT research reveals that half of Kiwi employees are suffering at least a moderate level of anxiety about returning to the workplace. If the headlines are to be believed, most of us are ready to ditch the masks, return to the office, and get on with life and work in Covid times. Indeed, Tesla boss Elon Musk recently challenged his employees to get back to the office or resign. Other leaders might be more tempered in their call for staff to work onsite, saying they want to rebuild a workplace culture that has crumbled during the pandemic. But new AUT research shows in New Zealand, half of Kiwi employees are suffering at least a moderate level of anxiety about
Grant Thornton New Zealand’s latest NFP research paints a picture of an agile industry, but also indicates a breaking point is on the horizon for many organisations. Barry Baker, Partner and Co-Leader of Not for Profit services at Grant Thornton says, “The report clearly demonstrates the great work the sector has done over the last few years in creating more robust and financially secure organisations, but it also uncovers some major gaps that will ultimately prevent many from delivering on their purpose”. Not for Profit organisations have seen a raft of legislative changes in recent years, with more to come. “Engagement with, and understanding of certain legislative changes has been unexpectedly low,” says Baker. “For example, nearly a quarter of
Malaysia is a diverse and emerging market full of potential. This INCITE guide is intended for food and drink brands looking for export led growth in Malaysia. Malaysia offers significant export led growth opportunities for food and drink brands, a cosmopolitan Southeast Asian nation with a population of 32 million. Known for its diversity, Malaysia is made up of three main ethnicities; Malay (67.4%), Chinese-Malays (24.6%), Indians-Malays (7.3%) and Others (0.7%). This blend of cultures has led to Malaysia having the one of the most diverse cuisines available in the region. Indeed, food is at the centre of the Malaysian culture. So much so that Malaysians tend to greet people by asking ‘Have you eaten?’ rather than the traditional “Hello”. Malaysia’s rich
Structural and civil engineering firm Batchelar McDougall Consulting took out the top award at the recent Ignite Wānaka Business Excellence Awards. The local firm was acknowledged for its impressive company growth, strong customer relationships and R&D investment and its focus on staff and robust governance at the Awards, run by Ignite Wānaka Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Milford Asset Management. Batchelar McDougall also won the Outstanding in Professional Services category. WAI Wānaka chair and Criffel Station co-owner Mandy Bell was awarded the Outstanding Individual award (sponsored by Cardrona Alpine Resort). More than 200 people attended the awards gala dinner, which took place at Rippon Hall. Winners were selected by an independent panel of local judges: Wayne Hudson (convenor), Ann
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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