• About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Digital Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Digital Magazine
NZBusiness Magazine

Type and hit Enter to search

Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
NZBusiness Magazine
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
News

Bullish small firms looking for staff

Small business confidence has reached record highs in Canterbury, the wider South Island and Wellington, according to ANZ’s quarterly Business Micro Scope survey of small firms. 

Glenn Baker
Glenn Baker
July 3, 2014 2 Mins Read
356
Small business confidence has reached record highs in Canterbury, the wider South Island and Wellington, according to ANZ’s quarterly Business Micro Scope survey of small firms. 
Nationally, sentiment fell back slightly in June from the previous quarter’s record levels, but remains well above the historical average. 
Hiring intentions among small businesses nudged upwards to a new record high, auguring well for employment as the economy continues to expand. 
Many business owners have now turned their attention to finding staff with the right skills to take their business forward, now cited as one of the biggest challenges for small firms. 
Fred Ohlsson, ANZ’s Managing Director, Retail & Business Banking, said: “Small firms have made a clear statement that they’re still prepared to take on staff and invest amid challenges such as a high dollar. This optimism is encouraging and is testament to the wide array of forces now supporting the economy. 
“Small firms account for 90 per cent of Kiwi businesses and provide jobs for nearly one in three New Zealanders. So when owners tell us they’re keen to take on more staff that’s a shot in the arm for employment nationally. Migration and training will be important in ensuring the skills are available to help them take their business forward.” 
 
Highlights from the June 2014 ANZ Business Micro Scope survey of small firms: 
[Net percentages reflect the balance of sentiment – i.e. positive minus negative responses]
• Confidence among small businesses has remained at very high levels, just off the record heights recorded in the March quarter. 
• Hiring intentions are now at their strongest since comparable data was first collected in 1999, with a net +20% of firms planning to take on staff in the coming year. 
• Canterbury (up 9 points to +33%) took the biggest leap forward in confidence, making it the most confident region, alongside the rest of the South Island (up 2 points to +33%), followed by Wellington (up 1 point to +30%). These three regions hit new record highs in the June quarter. 
• Services (+30%) leapfrogged Construction (+27%) as the most upbeat sector, followed by Retail (+25%). 
• ‘Lack of skilled employees’ and ‘regulation’ were jointly identified as the biggest challenges for small firms, each being cited by 17% of respondents. ‘Interest rates’ was identified as the biggest problem by just 4%. 
 
Photo: Fred Ohlsson.

Share Article

Glenn Baker
Follow Me Written By

Glenn Baker

Glenn is a professional writer/editor with 50-plus years’ experience across radio, television and magazine publishing.

Other Articles

Pochepocket cropped_0
Previous

School project morphs into business

Finances_0
Next

10 Steps to Business Success – #3 Finances

Next
Finances_0
July 7, 2014

10 Steps to Business Success – #3 Finances

Previous
July 3, 2014

School project morphs into business

Pochepocket cropped_0

Subscribe to our newsletter

NZBusiness Digital Issue – June 2025

READ MORE

The Latest

The chicken before the egg: ERP systems for SMEs

June 13, 2025

New hi-tech seaweed product could make Paeroa world famous

June 12, 2025

Episode 18: Crafting luxury with purpose, the Deadly Ponies story

June 12, 2025

NZBusiness Digital Issue – June 2025

June 11, 2025

Small clothes, big story

June 5, 2025

A start-up journey from hip-hop to RTDs

May 30, 2025

Most Popular

Understanding AI
How much AI data is generated every 60 seconds? New report reveals global AI use
Navigating economic headwinds: Insights for SME owners
Nourishing success: Sam Bridgewater on his entrepreneurship journey with The Pure Food Co
Navigating challenges: Small business resilience amidst sales decline

Related Posts

Budget 2025 reaction: Business applauds investment incentives, concern over KiwiSaver changes

May 22, 2025

Budget 2025: SMEs seek tax cuts, less red tape as confidence wavers

May 21, 2025

Final speaker lineup announced for Ignite ‘25 Growth Summit

April 30, 2025

New data reveals why Kiwi SMEs are borrowing

April 28, 2025
NZBusiness Magazine

New Zealand’s leading source for business news, training guides and opinion from small businesses to multi-national corporations.

© Pure 360 Limited.
All Rights Reserved.

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Magazine issues
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Sitemap

Categories

  • News
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Education & Development
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability

Follow Us

LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Self Development
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Sustainability