Latest news with #MinistryofBusinessInnovationandEmployment
Scoop
11-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Labour Inspectorate Says Exploiting Primary Industries Workers Harms Their Brand
Government officials are assuring that there are robust systems to prevent and expose breaches of worker protections in New Zealand, as widespread breaches are revealed in Australia. Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman inspectors found more than 80 percent of horticulture businesses in parts of Victoria were in breach of laws to protect workers, following a three-year investigation. In New Zealand, Inland Revenue has discovered $45 million in undeclared taxes in horticulture over the past 10 months, amid a Budget-boosted crackdown on business non-compliance. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment's teams inspected, audited and investigated primary sector businesses, with powers to push for infringements or prosecutions for breaches. Its lead labour inspector of strategic alignment in managing primary industries Kevin Finnegan said while New Zealand shared similar problems, Australia had a much larger scale due to greater migration and the vast spread of horticulture. "Very, very confident it wouldn't be at 80 percent [in New Zealand]." Finnegan said the dairy and horticulture sectors were key areas, as well as forestry and viticulture, with migrant exploitation a main focus. "It differs from sector to sector and region to region as well." He said complaints of migrant exploitation were slowing, and generally, business compliance by primary industry employers had improved. "It's fair to say that those migrant exploitation complaints have slowed down and we run something very similar in the RSE space as well." He said officials were not afraid to use punitive powers for breaches, which usually had negative effects on the companies. MBIE was taking cases to the Employment Relations Authority from the dairy sector, and a handful of horticultural contractors in the coming months, he said. "But predominantly, those are bad actors who create an uneven playing field and just give themselves an advantage, which commercially they're not entitled to, and it's at the expense of people. "Now we have a much more integrated approach to dealing with the serious end of non-compliance. "In some sectors, you could almost call it organised crime." He said it kept close relationships with industry groups, and often carried out a multi-agency approach to complex investigations. "Over the years we've worked very closely with these industry bodies, whether it's HortNZ, Zespri, New Zealand Apples and Pears and they've put assurance schemes in. "Any bad apples, excuse the pun, will actually cause more harm to the brand, and these sectors do understand that." Industry group Horticulture New Zealand's chief executive Kate Scott said the sector was committed to protecting the rights and wellbeing of all workers. "Our growers operate in a complex and dynamic supply chain that includes a range of partners, including contractors and service providers," Scott said. "We work hard to ensure our growers are well-informed about their tax and employment obligations, and we continue to engage constructively with Inland Revenue and the Labour Inspectorate to lift understanding and support compliance across the sector." She said the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme was "highly regulated and well managed" to ensure compliance and strong protection for workers. "In addition, HortNZ has launched its own pilot project, Whānau Moana Nui-to see how we can recognise those employers who we know go above and beyond in their commitment to worker welfare. "The RSE scheme has supported New Zealand growers and Pacific Island communities for nearly two decades. Our growers are proud to be part of that legacy and contribute to New Zealand and the Pacific's shared prosperity." Finnegan also described the RSE scheme as "one of the most highly regulated" labour schemes in the world, that he too said was "well managed" due to layers of support for employees and employers. Anyone with concerns about non-compliance were being encouraged to report it to Immigration New Zealand.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Past Policy Choices Coming Home To Roost
Press Release – Energy Resources Aotearoa There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously … For yet another year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) data published today shows that estimates for New Zealand's gas reserves are rapidly declining. There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously forecast. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the $200 million Crown co-investment in new domestic gas projects, the removal of the 2018 exploration ban, and changes proposed through the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill are all great signs that the Government is working hard to turn the corner on the deindustrialisation of the New Zealand economy. 'We acknowledge the Government is moving to support the strong potential of our domestic gas supply. But only time will tell if this will be enough.' Carnegie says the ongoing challenges with gas supply underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to secure energy stability and support New Zealand's economic resilience. 'We know there are still prospective fields out there – now we need to see the right conditions continue so that we can unlock the supply. Kiwi businesses are doing it tough as gas supply becomes further constrained. We desperately need more natural gas in the market to ensure electricity is available to keep the lights on and our export economy thriving.' Currently, we're witnessing the consequences of a shrinking domestic gas supply: higher prices, the use of imported coal, and uncertainty for industrial users, Carnegie says. 'Natural gas plays a critical role in supporting renewables, powering industry, and keeping energy affordable and reliable. Gas production projects underpin everything from electricity to industrial manufacturing. If we don't continue to work hard on securing more domestic gas for New Zealand, we risk higher prices, more imported coal use, and further instability.' If New Zealand can get this right, the benefits are enormous: jobs, royalties, export earnings, and the confidence of regional businesses to expand, knowing they have secure and affordable energy for the future.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Past Policy Choices Coming Home To Roost
For yet another year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) data published today shows that estimates for New Zealand's gas reserves are rapidly declining. There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously forecast. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the $200 million Crown co-investment in new domestic gas projects, the removal of the 2018 exploration ban, and changes proposed through the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill are all great signs that the Government is working hard to turn the corner on the deindustrialisation of the New Zealand economy. "We acknowledge the Government is moving to support the strong potential of our domestic gas supply. But only time will tell if this will be enough." Carnegie says the ongoing challenges with gas supply underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to secure energy stability and support New Zealand's economic resilience. "We know there are still prospective fields out there - now we need to see the right conditions continue so that we can unlock the supply. Kiwi businesses are doing it tough as gas supply becomes further constrained. We desperately need more natural gas in the market to ensure electricity is available to keep the lights on and our export economy thriving." Currently, we're witnessing the consequences of a shrinking domestic gas supply: higher prices, the use of imported coal, and uncertainty for industrial users, Carnegie says. "Natural gas plays a critical role in supporting renewables, powering industry, and keeping energy affordable and reliable. Gas production projects underpin everything from electricity to industrial manufacturing. If we don't continue to work hard on securing more domestic gas for New Zealand, we risk higher prices, more imported coal use, and further instability." If New Zealand can get this right, the benefits are enormous: jobs, royalties, export earnings, and the confidence of regional businesses to expand, knowing they have secure and affordable energy for the future.
