Growth doesn’t wait for perfect conditions
Two founders who took Kiwi brands global, and a panel of sharp minds, on how to keep moving when the ground keeps shifting. Here’s what stuck from Ready to Rise.
Two founders who took Kiwi brands global, and a panel of sharp minds, on how to keep moving when the ground keeps shifting. Here’s what stuck from Ready to Rise.
Core retail spending through the Paymark network fell 1.0 percent in October compared with a year earlier, with only groceries and petrol ahead of 2025. Ten of 17 regions went backwards.
BusinessNZ wants a stable government with a clear economic programme once special votes are counted. Pre-election research suggests the country’s smallest businesses will take some convincing that policy works for them.
Consumers want less plastic, regulators want more compliance, and food still has to arrive safe and fresh. AUT’s Dr Michelle Chen offers four ways through.
The scam most likely to cost your business this summer won’t look like a scam. It will look like a supplier you’ve paid for years asking you to update their bank details.
Evan Goldberg’s advice is the right place to start. For sales-led Kiwi businesses, the next step is proving what AI earns.
More small businesses are putting AI to work. Far fewer know what it tells their customers, and the experts don’t agree on where to start.
Ministry of Awesome wants 5,000 high-growth start-ups in New Zealand. Its new Christchurch hub is where it starts building them.
I went to Las Vegas for SuiteWorld and AI World expecting big bets on AI. Behind the bright lights, the smartest ones turned out to be the least flashy.
A year after its Las Vegas debut, NetSuite’s biggest update in almost three decades is reaching Kiwi businesses. The more interesting question is who it might reach next.
Equity-free funding, global mentors and a US$10,000 prize are on the table – but the deadline is closing fast.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has argued that artificial intelligence presents New Zealand with more opportunities than threats. However, coming into the election, business leaders aren’t on the same page.
With India’s market growing fast, a two-day Auckland summit next month asks what it takes for Kiwi businesses to get a foothold.
Every party now has a pitch for small business. So why do so many of the people who work for themselves feel like they’re talking to an empty room?
Looking for new suppliers? Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is bringing 750+ exporters and 2,000 international buyers together in Colombo this January.
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
The uncertainty isn’t going anywhere. ScotPac’s Lindsay Fisher says the businesses that grow are the ones that stop waiting for it to.
The small business sector appears to be sending one resounding message to whichever political parties form the next government. Stop with the flip-flopping. It’s stability and consistency that is important for business.
In under two years, Dani Archer went from no clients to eight schools. Now the Tauranga sole trader has taken out the top prize at The David Awards 2026.
Growing past a handful of staff brings more customers, more systems and more revenue. New research suggests it also makes a business a bigger cyber target.
Many tradies and salon owners already spend money on marketing. The harder question is which of that spend actually brings in paying customers, and Thryv says its new platform can answer it.
Franz Josef’s West Coast Wildlife Centre has been named the West Coast’s top business for 2026, winning the Development West Coast Supreme Award at the Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.
Kiwibank’s General Manager of Business Banking Rod Morris tells NZBusiness, Kiwibank has stepped up to change the game for early-stage business founders with its new funding pathway, built to unlock opportunity and foster sustainable business growth.
Finalists are in, and with entries up nearly 50 percent on two years ago, The David Awards judges have never had a harder job.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
Two years after leaving corporate life, Josh Burgisser built Burgs Digital into a full-stack marketing agency. He talks to David Nothling-Demmer about the attention economy, why video isn’t optional for small businesses showing up online, and convincing his own father to become a client.
Kiwi innovation meets smart marketing. Telescopicgoal is transforming the way football is played and trained around the world, all with a clever, adjustable aluminium goal and a creative, targeted approach to reaching customers.
More than 60 exhibitors, 75 speakers, leading franchise brands and 1,600 attendees are expected at Due Drop Events Centre this September.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
Some of New Zealand’s most influential science, business and policy figures will gather in Auckland next week to grapple with a question that has dogged the country for decades: How does New Zealand turn its ideas into lasting prosperity?
Tech exports now make up New Zealand’s second biggest export sector. Graeme Muller highlights a remarkable success story. Covid’s long tail continues to wreak havoc on the tourism sector, while at the same time super charging New Zealand tech exports. In the first half of 2021 New Zealand’s tech exports exceeded tourism, meat, wood and fruit exports to become the second largest export sector behind dairy. Massive growth in global demand for technology solutions is being driven by multiple factors. As people around the world stayed at home during the Covid-driven lockdowns demand for interactive media and online games delivered $276 million in new revenue and 222 new jobs across the Aotearoa game development sector in 2021. However, while Kiwi
The Mindful Fashion New Zealand Climate Action Programme is an initiative designed to catalyse action and support the local industry on its decarbonisation journey. With the New Zealand clothing and textile industry predominantly made up of SMEs, Mindful Fashion has designed its programme to address common barriers to action these businesses typically face. Currently each business needs to embark on emissions measurement and reduction independently, with cost, time and knowledge significant barriers. The Mindful Fashion programme provides industry specific guidance and tools, support to participants during the measurement process, and workshops to collaborate on developing reduction strategies. One of the key takeaways from recent analysis is the New Zealand fashion industry’s desire to address its climate impact. Mindful Fashion Programme Director
The process of selling a business is not straightforward, says Benjamin Sutton. But the key is to be better prepared, and here’s how. Navigating the steps involved requires good planning and a clear strategy. As another generation of business owners prepare to monetize all their hard work, below are our six top tips for mid-cap businesses and their owners as they prepare for sale. Tip 1 – Focus on your people: Identify those people who have the specialised knowledge and skills that are key to your business success and involve them in the sale process early. Consider incentivising them with some transaction-based incentives but if this is not possible aim to just support and excite them. For staff who have never experienced
Despite most businesses increasing wages over the past 12 months, new research reveals that around a third (32%) of SMEs are struggling to fill vacancies as the impacts of a tight labour market and high inflation send business confidence to near-record lows. The latest MYOB SME Snapshot – a survey of more than 500 local SMEs – has revealed that more than half (59%) of SMEs have increased wages but finding talent to fill job roles remains an ongoing struggle. Insights from the survey also showed that SME confidence in the economy has fallen to a level close to that recorded at the beginning of the first national lockdown in March 2022 (79%). Nearly three-quarters (72%) of SME owners and
Seequent has been named the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year at the 2022 NZ Hi-Tech Awards. The awards celebrate New Zealand’s most successful high-tech companies and the highest achieving individuals. Seequent CEO Graham Grant says he’s incredibly proud of the Seequent team, both present and past – who have worked with remarkable skill, focus and passion for building Seequent into a global subsurface software success story. “Ten years ago, we first entered the NZ HiTech Awards in the export category with a big vision. With a relentless focus on innovation, growth and being the best we can – we’re now thrilled to be named the NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year after previous recognition as a finalist. “While we’ve
KidsCan and Pet Refuge founder Julie Chapman talks to NZBusiness about the challenges and rewards of running a business in the charity sector. Julie Chapman is one of New Zealand’s most successful leaders in the not-for-profit sector. She established KidsCan in her garage in 2005 starting with a $40,000 grant. KidsCan is now New Zealand’s leading children’s charity dedicating to providing the essentials to Kiwi kids affected by poverty, with annual revenue of over $20 million. Last year Julie established her second charity Pet Refuge which provides temporary shelter and care for pets affected by domestic violence, keeping them safe while their owners escape abuse. The charity has just celebrated its one-year anniversary. NZB: What prompted you to start Pet Refuge? Julie:
Upcoming event
Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland
One week after the election, Ready to Rise returns for ‘After the Result’ to help Kiwi SME owners plan ahead for their next bold move, and hard-won growth. Get your tickets for this must-attend business breakfast.
Latest issue
The money’s out there, but getting it has rarely felt harder. Our October/November issue looks at who’s lending, what investors want and what rising rates mean for your next move. It also celebrates The David Awards 2026 winners, who backed themselves anyway.
Latest articles
