Mood of the Boardroom
Hipkins fights back, but CEOs see a major weakness
Only 12% of business leaders see Labour as a cohesive alternative government.
Latest from Mood of the Boardroom
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
‘That would be a disaster’: BusinessNZ’s election warning
BusinessNZ wants corporate tax cut from 28% in staged reductions.
Business leaders want govt to get finances in order before corporate tax cuts
OPINION: Lower company tax was the top investment stimulus choice for 41%.
'Access does not equal benefit': Datacom CEO warns AI use is not progress
Davidson says AI could erode junior staff's path to expertise.
'We need a 30-year bipartisan pipeline': Seven-year consent wait adds $20m to port terminal project cost
Stella Passage has fast-track approval, but the decision is subject to appeal.
Westpac CEO warns election policy is holding back investment
McGrath says policy and infrastructure uncertainty constrain growth.
Short-term thinking sending critical talent offshore, says infrastructure chief
After 14 years on CRL, highly skilled workers face a project gap.
Foodstuffs warns forced break-up risks wider investment confidence
Chris Quin says splitting Foodstuffs will not fix high grocery prices.
Vector boss wants renewable power to drive New Zealand's growth
Blenkiron says data centres must bring power and meet environmental standards.
Watch live on Thursday: Mood of the Boardroom – CEOs rate the politicians
NZ's top CEOs have their say on the political landscape ahead of the election.
Mood of the Boardroom 2026
What’s top of mind for business leaders in this year’s Mood of the Boardroom.
NZ meat prices soar but industry warns of storm clouds ahead
Non-tariff trade barriers are costing the sector $1.5b in lost value each year.
Business leaders back partnership model to tackle big NZ challenges
In the Mood of the Boardroom survey, 68% of leaders back a partnership model.
Business leaders say AI adoption surging, but many still playing catch-up
CEOs gave AI just 2.86 out of 5 for its impact on business performance.
'We've come through it': Honey sector eyes recovery after Covid collapse
A new 15% US tariff poses a fresh challenge for mānuka honey sales.
Debate grows over how Defence will use $12b boost
Only 32% of top CEOs say 2% of GDP is enough to keep New Zealand secure.
Zespri eyes next decade after hitting $4.5b milestone
The exporter now sells to 52 countries, with US sales up 30% despite tariffs.
CEOs push for independent watchdog to oversee government spending
61% of top executives back an independent budget office for NZ.
Rebuilding Tourism: Industry at risk of fading away as big earner
Chinese visitor arrivals are now just 55% of pre-Covid levels in 2018.
The long game: Why business wants 30-year vision beyond election cycles
John Fraser-Mackenzie says bipartisan action can unlock long-term growth.
Uncertainty still weighs on business, but investment lifts in 2025 survey
More than half of businesses say weak demand is among their biggest concerns.
Why overseas rivals are reshaping NZ’s international student boom
China and India are rapidly expanding their own university sectors, experts warn.
Business chiefs urge faster OCR cuts to lift economy
Seventy-eight per cent of CEOs want the Reserve Bank to speed up rate cuts.
Cameron Bagrie: NZ boardrooms are holding the economy back
The OECD warns weak boardroom skills are stifling innovation and growth.
Rebuilding tourism: Hotelier told NZ more expensive than Switzerland
Visa costs and fees are seen as putting New Zealand at a global disadvantage.
'He's done what he said': Business leaders split on Trump’s impact
Just two of 150 CEOs in the Herald survey rated Trump 'very impressive'.
Rebuilding tourism: Air links crucial to prosperity
The new Southern Link opens a rare direct route from Auckland to South America.
How Felicity Roxburgh plans to reshape NZ’s trade voice
Exporters lose up to $12b a year from behind‑the‑border trade barriers.
Dairy giants upbeat despite tariffs and global volatility
NZ secured the first dairy free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Boardrooms split on staff outlook as AI reshapes workforce
Executives warn young talent is leaving for higher wages in Australia.