196 posts | 3 images
The Auckland Chamber of Commerce has provided 150 years of support for small and medium sized businesses in the Auckland region.
AUCKLAND — The Auckland Transport survey showing many cyclists run red lights doesn't excuse the lack of action to accelerate projects that would help protect cyclists and other road users, especially large trucks, from each other.
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While it is good news that the inquiry into the whey protein incident concludes there was no failure with New Zealand’s dairy regulatory system it simply confirms what we already knew, said Michael Barnett, chairman of the NZ Infant Formula Exporters Association.
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Business confidence is continuing to rise despite expectations interest rates will increase early next year and a looming skills shortage.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The passage through Parliament of legislation confirming an International Convention Centre can be built in central Auckland is an important milestone and positive boost Auckland and New Zealand needs, says Michael Barnett, head of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.
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Congratulations to the Westpac Auckland Central Business Award winners – a group of innovative and adaptable small and medium businesses who are challenging the big players for a place in the market through technology, innovation and partnerships.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Today's China business summit at the Langham Auckland brought together key business leaders from New Zealand and China to review opportunities for doing business in China moving forward.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The China Business Summit at The Langham Auckland on 16 October addressed the issue of Fonterra's botulism scare and the ramifications of it on the market for New Zealand's brand and exporters to China.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The purpose of this letter is to strongly urge you to urgently investigate the appropriateness of the Ministry of Health's actions to grant official licences to retailers allowing them to sell more than 20 untested brands of synthetic cannabis.
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“Granting official licences to retailers to sell more than 20 untested brands of synthetic cannabis is a disgrace,” says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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A delegation to China, of New Zealand Infant Formula exporters led by Michael Barnett, chair of the Infant Formula Exporters Association, is planned for 23-24th September this year.
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Tomorrow looks promising for Auckland business as an increasing number of David’s are getting ready to take on the Goliath’s.
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We have moved beyond gender balance as the sole differentiating criteria for selecting people of merit to top jobs, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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The latest regional economic update report provides a useful summary of how well the regions are performing, but once again it shows how poorly we are at taking ‘game changing’ decisions to get action on the big issues.
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The corporate launch in Auckland of the 2013 Brazilian Film Festival Reel Brazil brought many business and community leaders together to celebrate Brazilian flare, music, culture and film.
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As the CEO of an organisation with global reach whose network of relationships embraces all levels and types of business - from multi-nationals to small-medium and sole traders (SMEs) and everything in between - I am struck by how difficult it has been for New Zealand businesses to successfully innovate to meet the opportunities of the ever-changing international market place.
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An Auckland Chamber of Commerce confidence survey - the first for 2013 covering responses from over 1100 firms in the region - shows a dramatic lift in confidence reports Chamber CEO Michael Barnett.
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While Auckland continues to delay its decision to build a world-class national convention centre, Adelaide has made a decision and is getting on with it.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The timing of suggestions today that the facilitation process for settling the long-running Auckland waterfront dispute is unwinding invites a cynical response.
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The claim on Radio New Zealand today by Māori Party Co-leader Tariana Turia that there is evidence that employers are failing to give Maori and Pacific job seekers opportunities “is irresponsible,” says Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett.
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One employment survey result doesn’t make a crises, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett has won the Supreme Award at the prestigious AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.
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This week marked an important milestone for the New Kiwi Career Success programme run by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and funded by the Ministry of Social Development, with Mariel Angulo becoming the 3000th participant to complete the New Zealand job search strategy programme.
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The Equal Employment Opportunities Trust has expressed disappointment at the attempt to create barriers for women taking parental leave as submissions begin for the extension of parental leave bill.
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The Equal Employment Opportunities Trust is urging migrant workers to seek advice if they feel exploited in a workplace by employers who may be breaching employment laws.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The China Business Summit, held at the Langham Hotel, aimed to help New Zealand businesses better take advantage of China’s growing wealth.
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China offers huge opportunities for New Zealand businesses, but too few are taking the plunge and entering the market, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett.
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The New Zealand Infant Formula Exporters Association, to be branded as “Infant Formula New Zealand”, was formed last week.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Auckland Council will be two years old on 1 November.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with NZ INC Ltd is proud to host the inaugural China Business Summit.
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AUCKLAND CITY — China offers huge opportunities for New Zealand businesses, but too few are taking the plunge and entering the market, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett.
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The ANZ New Zealand and EEO Trust Work and Life Awards had a record number of entries this year with 62 workplace initiatives across five categories.
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Twenty-four Auckland companies and four individuals have been selected as the finalists for the Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards 2012.
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A bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce has been established to assist NZ firms trading throughout the wider Arab region and to facilitate access to NZ for Arab companies and investors.
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What does Spring mean to you? Generally it means warmth.
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Auckland Council business rates are unfair and filled with anomalies, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The latest Auckland Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Business Confidence Survey shows only a marginal lift among Auckland businesses since May.
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Auckland Chamber of Commerce training facilitator Hannah Samuel has been named National Speakers Association Speaker of the Year and MC of the Year for 2012.
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Emerging policy action areas were identified in a presentation last month by Gary Banks, Chairman of Australia’s Productivity Commission.
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In spite of the Jakarta port closure and biosecurity/compliance issues in China, apple export numbers are still growing overall into the Asian markets.
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The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), in conjunction with the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce (BCIC), recently provided an overview of opportunities and services supporting bilateral business and trade with Beijing.
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Sulu is a real success story after winning an award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Prime Ministers BEST Training Awards 2012.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The Auckland Council has claimed the Central Rail Link to be Auckland's most important transport investment in the immediate future.
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The announcement that Mexico is joining the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations is another step towards achieving precisely what was first envisioned – a free trade area of Asia and the Pacific, said the NZUS Council.
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Five Minutes with Hannah McQueen Financial Personal Trainer and presenter on TV’s ‘Save our Home’ Hannah McQueen says most people can't stick to a budget over a prolonged timeframe, so it is critical to ensure they can still live the life they want.
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Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett has been selected as a finalist in the 2012 AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.
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The Local Government Forum has welcomed the Local Government Act Amendment Bill and looks forward to submitting on it.
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Local Government Minister David Carter has announced an independent taskforce to help build greater efficiency within the local government framework.
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AUCKLAND CITY — A decision due shortly on the future of the distinctive Cloud structure on Queens Wharf, built for the Rugby World Cup, will test our resolve to take a provocative shape and form and build a lasting legacy from the event.
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INTRODUCTION 1. The Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciates the opportunity to make a submission on the joint scoping study on strengthening trans-Tasman economic relations being undertaken by the Productivity Commissions of Australia and New Zealand.
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Until Auckland Council removes the rates differential on business, Auckland’s rating system will be unfair, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head, Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The year-on-year 10% cap on rates proposed for nearly 200,000 Auckland rate payers to be decided by Auckland Council tomorrow is unacceptable, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The year-on-year 10% cap on rates proposed for nearly 200,000 Auckland rate payers to be decided by Auckland Council tomorrow is unacceptable, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The latest Quarterly Business Confidence Survey shows Auckland businesses are continuing to be cautious and confidence in the general business environment and their own situation has almost halved since February.
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“We have known for more than a decade that New Zealand badly needs a large scale international convention centre in Auckland,” says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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4 May 2012 It’s a pleasure to be here today.
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A much improved communication programme is required in moving forward on the partial sell down of public assets, the select committee studying the proposal was told today.
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A much improved communication programme is required in moving forward on the partial sell down of public assets, the select committee studying the proposal was told today.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Mayor Len Brown’s dictate today confirming that “business will pay the same proportion of rates as under the combined legacy councils and that rates differential will reduce over the next decade” is an outrageous and unacceptable abuse of the Auckland Council’s long-term plan hearings and deliberating process.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The search is on for outstanding Auckland Central businesses to celebrate their success in the Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Join prominent thought leaders, key government officials and some of New Zealand’s leading businesses to hear about the new business opportunities that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) can deliver, at the 2012 NZ US Council 10th Anniversary Conference in Auckland, Friday 4 May 2012.
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AUCKLAND — Confirmation by the Ports of Auckland today that it will resume talks with the Maritime Union later this week on the contracting out proposal and for mediation on the Collective Agreement is welcome news, said Auckland Chamber head Michael Barnett.
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Despite a modest net lift in confidence in the general business environment, Auckland businesses confidence in their own situation and prospects over the next six months remains stalled on what it has been for the past 12 months.
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AUCKLAND — The initiative of Auckland Mayor Len Brown to encourage Aucklanders to debate how to pay for Auckland’s future transport infrastructure is timely and welcome, said Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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Today’s issuing of a further strike notice by the Maritime Union ahead of tomorrow’s mediation talks on the long-running dispute raises questions of how committed the union is to bargaining in good faith and settling the issues at hand, said Auckland Chamber head Michael Barnett.
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Expect to lose some digits along the way (start-up losses) Experience suggests that nearly all companies businesses lose real money in their early first years of overseas operation.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Tony Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of the Ports of Auckland, has accepted the Chamber’s invitation to brief importers and exporters on the impact of the current industrial dispute at the Port.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The Auckland Evaluation Report of the Rugby World Cup reinforces that the event was overwhelmingly positive for Auckland business.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The Port strike may not be about money for the striking Maritime Union members, but it is a serious concern for many affected small-medium Auckland businesses.
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AUCKLAND CITY — For a group of workers already receiving twice the average wage, the Maritime Union decision to end today’s mediation talks by serving a new 48 hr strike notice for Friday 30th December is “perplexing and very disappointing,” said Michael Barnett, head of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Auckland port’s loss of a significant shipping service to the Port of Tauranga will ultimately hurt Auckland ratepayers and the city’s striking Maritime Union workers, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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AUCKLAND CITY — On the radio this morning the Maritime Union of New Zealand stated that there were just a few "tweaks" required to the existing collective agreement, that there was nothing untoward and that the strike wasn't about money.
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The strike action on Auckland’s waterfront due to start tomorrow (Thursday, 1 December 10.30am) is already starting to cost business and disrupt pre-Christmas planning at the worst possible time, warns Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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The clear-cut election result creates an opportunity for the Government to move quickly to action New Zealand’s big economic challenges, Michael Barnett chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce said today.
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AUCKLAND — Auckland businesses are signaling a big slide in confidence in the overall business environment, with confidence in their own prospects stalled on what it was three months ago.
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The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce want the incoming government to reform the regional economic development model to ensure local government and business organisations focus on their respective core services and areas of competence.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Auckland Council has presented a formal request to those camping in Aotea Square asking them to leave and to identify a specific date for their departure.
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The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce wants the incoming government to give greater attention to solving New Zealand’s labour shortages.
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The best of Auckland Central business was celebrated at the magnificent Langham Auckland as the winners of the inaugural Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards were announced on the 10th of November.
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The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce wants the incoming government to work with business organizations to design a compelling set of goals and targets to grow a bigger ‘economic pie’.
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The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce wants the incoming government to join forces with the private sector to design and launch a radical shake up of approach and resolve to improve New Zealand’s export performance.
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The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce is pushing for the incoming government to adopt a policy to allow New Zealanders to have shared ownership in commercial assets currently owned and controlled by central and local government.
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AUCKLAND — AUCKLAND REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUBMISSION ON THE DRAFT AUCKLAND PLAN SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS Everything is about cities and the wealth and energy they generate for lifting a nation’s prospects and prosperity.
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AUCKLAND — The Auckland Chamber of Commerce, with the assistance of the International Team at the Auckland Council, hosted a sixty person delegation from China last week.
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The uneven impact of the Maui gas pipeline failure on businesses and services suggests a review and update is required, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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Bringing together in one place Auckland’s high-tech innovators, research and development providers, and organisations specialising in commercialising new products, is an exciting forward-looking initiative, said Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.
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This is the call of Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett following confirmation by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne that it is possible harmful synthetic drug products might still be on sale until the Misuse of Drugs Act is overhauled next year.
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News that ‘new’ synthetic drug products are back on sale in Auckland shops within weeks of Parliament passing ‘temporary’ laws to ban selected products is extremely disappointing.
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On the 30th of September 2011, Auckland Chamber CEO Michael Barnett was interviewed on AMP Business on the New Zealand Business Showcase at The Cloud on Queens Wharf.
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AUCKLAND — Uncertainty was the most used sentiment in the Auckland Chamber of Commerce recent business confidence survey.
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Uncertainty was the most used sentiment in the Auckland Chamber of Commerce August Business Confidence Survey.
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AUCKLAND — A boost in employment in the hospitality and accommodation sectors is likely to reflect businesses getting ready for the Rugby World Cup, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett Results from Statistics New Zealand's Quarterly Employment Survey to June, released this week, show steady employment while paid hours and average earnings continue to grow.
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A boost in employment in the hospitality and accommodation sectors is likely to reflect businesses getting ready for the Rugby World Cup, says Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett Results from Statistics New Zealand's Quarterly Employment Survey to June, released this week, show steady employment while paid hours and average earnings continue to grow.
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