PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for March 30, 2026 – Full Text

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

30 seconds ago

Anna-Marie Robison (Ngāti Porou) is in the final year of her Bachelor of Business Studies after returning to study last year, having first completed a New Zealand Diploma in Business in 2014.

She has also just been awarded the Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust Scholarship.

“It’s more than just the financial support,” she says of the scholarship. “Getting it represents self-belief. I’ve been through so much that I didn’t think I would get it, but it shows me the value of persistence and gives me confidence to keep moving forward.”

Anna-Marie first began studying at EIT in 2013, completing her diploma while her father, John, was also studying a farming course.

“He ended up passing away that year. After I completed the diploma in 2014, I needed to take some time away, so I stepped back from study.”

In the years that followed, she worked in a range of community roles before spending five years as the primary caregiver for her grandmother, Josephine, from 2018 to 2023.

After a conversation with her mother, Lizz, the 32-year-old decided she was ready to return to study.

Thanks to cross-credits from her earlier diploma, Anna-Marie was able to enter directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Business Studies, with graduation set for next year.

“I was kind of worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up because I know things would have changed between the last time I studied and this time. But I thought no, I’ll come back and I’ll finish what I started.”

The year has not been without its challenges, but Anna-Marie credits the support of her immediate whānau and EIT’s teaching staff with keeping her motivated.

“The tutors are committed to their students. They’re passionate about what they’re teaching, so it’s really enjoyable studying at EIT.”
Business runs in Anna-Marie’s family. Her mother completed her own Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT, and her youngest sister, Aria, is now in her first year of the same programme.

Her motivation to study business stems from being raised in a family dedicated to service; her grandparents Tom and Josephine are Pastors, and she has long understood the impact of helping others. This influence was further reinforced during COVID-19, when her grandfather and mother founded Gisborne’s only Men’s shelter.

“From a very young age, I’ve been surrounded by community support and helping people who are facing challenges or going through a hard time.”

After graduating, she hopes to continue this “family legacy”.

“I aspire to one day build my own business – one that makes a meaningful difference by supporting and uplifting others.”

EIT Senior Lecturer Russell Booth says Anna-Marie is one of those people who always offers encouragement and support in not only her words but definitely her actions.

“Her role in the community is one about making a difference through these actions, so for her to be recognised through this scholarship is incredible. It shows clearly that others have the belief and faith in her to make that difference.

“At EIT, we are very proud of Anna-Marie and her achievements not only with winning this scholarship but also how she conducts herself on a daily basis with whānau and in the community.”

MIL OSI

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

2 days ago

A Wairoa teenager who completed two carpentry courses at EIT has landed his first job in the trade just months after finishing his studies.

Toby Colquhoun (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) completed the NZ Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills at Level 2 and Level 3 in Wairoa last year.

He says the programme gave him the foundation he needed to step into the industry.

“I wanted to get into carpentry, so it was good to have some courses under my belt to go forward in my career.”

He is now working for PGC Constructors and is currently completing a job on a subdivision.

Toby finished high school at Wairoa College in 2024, before starting study at EIT last year. He was drawn to EIT’s Wairoa-based programme because it meant he could study close to home.

“It was good to just travel 10 minutes to where my course was.”

Now 19, Toby says one of the highlights of the course was the hands-on learning environment.

“It was quite hands-on and fun. We got to use a range of tools like nail guns, drills and saws, which is helping me in my job now.”

He said having access to experienced tutors was key to building his confidence with more advanced equipment.

“Some of the tools you need proper guidance for, so having a good tutor made a big difference.”

Now just a month into his role, Toby says he is enjoying the work and gaining valuable on-site experience.

Looking ahead, he hopes to complete a carpentry apprenticeship and eventually start his own business.

“I really want to finish a carpentry apprenticeship and start my own business in carpentry, or maybe concrete.”

For others considering a similar path, Toby’s advice is straightforward.

“If you have no experience and you want to get into carpentry or a trade, I think it would be a good thing to take a fresh step into one of EIT’s courses.”

Todd Rogers, Head of School Trades and Technology, says it is great to see their graduates pathway into employment.

“The carpentry programmes delivered in Wairoa are an excellent connection point for EIT and our regional communities.”

MIL OSI

Source: Radio New Zealand

Demand for businesses to buy remains high, with ABC Business Sales seeing a 28 percent increase in sales over the past year to a record of more than 500 deals done.

“While fewer businesses came up for sale, [there is] a clear sign that demand is now outstripping supply,” ABC managing director Chris Small said, adding that more than 27,800 potential buyers expressed interest in businesses advertised for sale over the past year.

He said there were currently 39 confidentiality agreements signed per sale listing, compared to 15 per sale listing three years ago.

“Right now, good businesses that are well prepared are getting strong interest, because there are more buyers than sellers.”

He said some would-be sellers were holding back, concerned about selling into current market conditions, but that was not always a good strategy.

“Interest rates move, banks tighten lending or buyer confidence drops, and the value they were hoping to achieve isn’t there anymore.”

Small said one of the biggest lessons from 40 years in the industry and more than 10,000 sales was that selling a business was rarely just a financial decision – three factors needed to align to achieve a good sale.

“It’s got to work for you personally,” he said. “You want your financials to be at their strongest and you want the market to be at their strongest.

“Conversely to that, if you haven’t had a great year of trading, ultimately, you would be better off waiting, building your profit up and then coming to market, when you’ve got those numbers in a stronger position.”

He said more buyers were looking to buy themselves a job, with a business that could return an annual income of between $200,000-300,000 for one working owner.

“The trend certainly is more people looking… to be in charge of their own destiny and creating their own wealth by being their own boss,” Small said.

“I think it’s just become a bit of a more of a trend over the last 2-3 years.”

He said bigger investors were looking for a business that would be managed by someone else and return an annual profit of a least a million dollars.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour is urging businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering our response to global fuel uncertainty. 

Submissions should be made to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline (the Tipline). Submissions can be made here.

“New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focussed on keeping it that way. This Government has responded well to the potential of conflict in the Middle East leading to shortages,” Mr Seymour says. 

“We can’t control what happens in the Middle East. We can control how we get fuel flowing through New Zealand pumps. If red tape is getting in the way of that goal, we want to hear it.” 

Earlier this week the Government set out updates to the National Fuel Plan to make sure New Zealand is prepared if international disruption puts pressure on fuel supply. 

“The Government’s first responsibility is to keep the economy moving and ensure essential services, freight, and families aren’t disrupted any more than necessary,” Mr Seymour says. 

“While the Government’s response has been strong, we don’t want a repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns, and we don’t want to miss something which could lead to negative effects down the line. That’s why we want to hear from people affected by edicts from Wellington; what regulatory barriers do you see getting in the way of fuel supply?

“This Government listens to the people in tough times. Taiwan took a similar approach during the COVID outbreak. Through public feedback they were able to develop tools that improved their response. 

“In a disruption every unnecessary delay matters. If there are regulations that make it harder to import, store, distribute, or use fuel efficiently, they need to be identified now. Not when the pressure is at its peak.

“Examples of things which people might submit to the Tipline are regulations that could be reviewed, suspended, simplified, or better coordinated to support New Zealand’s fuel resilience. This could include barriers affecting fuel transport, storage, distribution, local delivery, freight movements, business operations, or the ability of firms to adapt quickly to changing supply conditions. 

“Not all issues identified will fall within the scope of regulation. Where submissions are non-regulatory they will be referred to the appropriate authority or organisation best placed to address them.

“The Tipline has already fixed many things that matter to Kiwis. It’s fixed dumb rules to allow Kiwis to build sheds on their property, allow home based baking businesses to get on with business, and got rid of draconian rules preventing medical conferences taking place in New Zealand. 

“We are particularly interested in hearing from businesses on the front line. Fuel companies, freight operators, contractors, primary producers, retailers, and others whose day-to-day experience tells them where the bottlenecks are.”

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Source: Radio New Zealand

Consumer NZ says it is disappointed by news the government may not progress its plan to ban credit card surcharges.

The ACT Party and Retail NZ have both said the proposed ban on surcharges for contactless and credit card payments was dead, although the minister responsible told RNZ it was still being worked on.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson (National) introduced legislation last year to ban in-store card surcharges, so shoppers would not be penalised for their choice of payment. The ban was expected to be in place by May.

But ACT leader David Seymour said it would not happen.

“Nobody likes the fees, and like many costs everyone wishes they would just go away,” he posted on Facebook.

“When the payWave surcharge ban was announced, small businesses up and down the country pointed out they wouldn’t go away. Motels, cafes, retailers, they all pointed out they’d eat the fee.

“They might be able to reclaim some of it by putting up the price of what they sell. Sometimes businesses find they just can’t raise prices but, if they did, they would effectively be making customers who paid cash or eftpos fund the payWave costs of others.

“None of those solutions are fair, so ACT’s Dr Parmjeet Parmar put up a simple suggestion to improve the policy. Let businesses charge payWave fees if they offer a free alternative. That way people who want the convenience can pay for it, and those that don’t can avoid the fees.

“The proposal is now stopped, because we listened to the people affected. It could come back in the future, the way Parmjeet has suggested, but not in a way that puts costs on small businesses or other customers.”

Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker said the organisation was disappointed.

“Our research has found support for a ban is getting stronger – our nationally representative surveying in January found that almost three in five people supported a ban on card payment surcharges, with only 15 percent of people opposing a ban.

“While we understand concerns that some businesses will be forced to raise prices to make up for the cost of the ban, it’s important to remember that interchange fees were reduced late last year. It was estimated that businesses would save around $90 million a year – we remain concerned that those savings will not be passed on to consumers.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Media Outreach

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – Jollibee, the flagship brand of the Jollibee Group, has been ranked the fifth-strongest restaurant brand worldwide in the Brand Finance Restaurants 25 2026 report, reinforcing the brand’s growing global competitiveness and resonance across markets.

The 2026 ranking marks a significant rise from ninth place in 2025, reflecting a measurable strengthening of Jollibee’s global brand equity. Its Brand Strength Index (BSI) improved to 87.9/100 from 83.9 the previous year—one of the most notable gains among ranked restaurant brands—indicating increased consumer familiarity, preference, and advocacy across both established and emerging markets.

In the same report, Brand Finance also noted that Jollibee remains the Philippines’ sole representative among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands, and the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand included in the global ranking.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group, said the recognition underscores the brand’s rising global competitiveness and equity.

“Being ranked among the world’s strongest restaurant brands by Brand Finance signals that Jollibee is winning in superior taste and strengthening consumer preference across markets. It reflects the trust we have built, the disciplined execution of our teams, and the growing power of our brand as we continue to deliver joyful experiences to customers worldwide,” Tanmantiong said.

Strengthened global equity

Brand Finance reported that Jollibee’s brand value rose by 32% to USD 3.3 billion in 2026, placing it 18th among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands. As part of its brand strength assessment, Brand Finance cited Jollibee’s AAA brand strength rating, reflecting strong customer trust, emotional connection, and price acceptance in its home market and other key markets, including Singapore and Vietnam.

The year-on-year improvement in brand strength signals that Jollibee is not only expanding its footprint but also deepening its ability to influence customer choice—an important driver of long-term earnings quality, pricing resilience, and franchise attractiveness. This progression positions the brand alongside more established global players in terms of consumer affinity, despite differences in scale.

Brand Finance noted that as the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand in the global ranking, Jollibee’s performance underscores the ability of home-grown brands to compete internationally through disciplined execution while sustaining strong brand equity and expectations for future earnings. Its continued expansion across Asia, North America, and the Middle East has strengthened long-term growth visibility while preserving brand leadership in its core market.

“We remain focused on building scalable operating systems, reinforcing brand fundamentals, and delivering consistent, superior taste across markets. With disciplined expansion, we are positioning our brands to grow sustainably, compete globally, and create long-term value for our stakeholders, including investors and franchise partners,” Tanmantiong added.

Jollibee’s growing global recognition is reinforced by recent accolades across key international markets. In the United States, the brand was named among the best fast-food fried chicken chains by USA Today, while Eater spotlighted it as a must-visit destination for its iconic Chickenjoy and distinctly Filipino flavors. The brand has also earned recognition in Hong Kong and Singapore, and in Kuwait, where Jollibee was ranked among the top 10 brands for best customer service—underscoring its growing consumer preference and consistent delivery of superior taste and joyful service across markets.

Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – Professional accounting services firm SetupHK(朗峰會計) today announced the immediate launch of its “One-Hour Free Corporate Tax Diagnosis” service, designed exclusively for Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Available to the first 20 applicants only, the service covers account health assessment, tax filing arrangement clarification, and tax risk analysis. Appointments are now open via WhatsApp.

The service launches in alignment with Hong Kong’s annual tax filing season, during which the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) begins issuing Profits Tax returns to businesses from April onwards. SetupHK stated that the initiative aims to help SME owners gain a clear picture of their financial records before formally engaging tax filing services, reducing the risk of missed deadlines and unnecessary tax complications.

Service Details

The free corporate tax diagnosis is conducted on a one-to-one basis by SetupHK’s professional advisors. Each session runs approximately one hour and covers three key areas:

Account Health Assessment — A review of the completeness and accuracy of the company’s existing financial records, identifying potential issues that require attention.

Tax Filing Arrangement Clarification — Based on the company’s structure and financial year-end, advisors will outline the required filing steps and timeline.

Tax Risk Analysis — A preliminary identification of tax-related risks, including late submission exposure, discrepancies in financial records, and common filing errors.

Availability is strictly limited to the first 20 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. To book an appointment: WhatsApp 852-9248-5734.

Background

Under the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, limited companies are required to submit an annual Profits Tax return (BIR51) together with audited financial statements prepared by a certified public accountant. Late submission may result in a fine of up to HK$10,000 plus a penalty of three times the tax assessed. Based on SetupHK’s experience serving SMEs, a significant number of business owners do not begin preparing their financial records until after receiving their tax return, leaving insufficient time to complete the mandatory audit process before the filing deadline.

Marx Chan, Director of SetupHK, commented: “Many business owners have little visibility into the actual state of their company’s accounts. By the time they receive their tax return and realise there are problems, they are already under pressure. The purpose of this free diagnosis is to give owners a clear picture of where they stand — what needs to be done and how much time they have — so they can respond with confidence rather than scramble at the last minute.”

Hashtag: #SetupHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

WorkSafe New Zealand is cautioning small businesses to plan high‑risk, ad-hoc work, after a man was crushed to death while moving heavy machinery on the job.

MIL OSI

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand could be facing into a period of stagflation, economists are warning.

Stagflation describes a situation in which an economy experiences the unpleasant combination of high inflation, high unemployment and stagnant economic growth.

This could happen as a result of the Iran war because higher fuel prices are expected to create higher inflation, while the impact of those cost increases and the wider confidence blow could slow economic growth.

Mike Jones, chief economist at BNZ, said it was a “stagflationary-type shock” because it had hurt growth prospects and put pressure on people’s disposable incomes and business margins at the same time as it pushed up inflation.

“We’re also vulnerable given the economy going into this was only starting to find its feet,” he said.

“There are some buffers out there – most notably elevated commodity export prices and a falling NZ dollar – but it’s unlikely they will be enough to prevent a decent hit to the economy. I think, at this stage, it’s more a case of the recovery being disrupted or paused for a quarter or two, rather than being curtailed. So weaker growth but still growth.

“But there are still many scenarios in play. Much hangs on how long the conflict goes on for.”

Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, said stagflation was discussed as a prospect three or four years ago but did not happen.

“It was inflation followed by ‘we need a recession to rein that back in’.

“I feel like this time is a little bit different because it’s a supply shock that is, one, pushing up prices and, two, going to negatively impact growth.”

He said businesses had told him they had to pass on cost increases.

“I’m not talking about transport businesses putting up their prices. I’m talking about everybody who is using the transport services then being forced to put up their prices, because we’ve had an economy where for the last three years, it’s gone sideways. And people have been trimming and trimming, and there’s nothing left to trim.”

He said while the Reserve Bank expected fewer price increases to be passed on because there was less demand, that was not the full picture.

“Sure, there’s no demand, but you’re going to put your prices up rather than simply just go to the wall because you don’t have any money left.”

He said even if the situation were resolved immediately, there would be another up to four months of flow-on effects.

“Who knows where oil prices would settle… you wouldn’t expect them to probably go back to US$70 a barrel… there’s got to be more risk associated with that. But the longer it stretches on, the bigger the impact is in terms of just delaying or preventing the economic recovery.

“It’s almost a bit of a repeat of 2025 where we had the tariff situation hit us and knock confidence and therefore knock growth. And this is looking like the same again, except probably worse, to be fair.”

But Westpac’s chief economist Kelly Eckhold said he still expected some growth in the economy this year – although there was the potential for that to change.

“In the forecast update that we put out a couple of days ago, that assumed that things were going to get better within a month. If that doesn’t happen then things get darker quite quickly. Confidence levels about forecasts are quite low right now because there’s a lot of things we don’t know.

“You can’t discount the possibility [of less economic growth]. The only thing is that we are coming from a starting point where we were expecting a pretty solid year. So we’ve got further to fall before you get into that genuinely negative growth environment that we experienced back in 2024.”

The big concern was how long the conflict lasted, he said.

“We have to keep in mind that significant damage has already been done and it won’t be fixed quickly. There may also be risk premia built into concerns about fuel availability, prices… I’m very worried. I think this is a very, very serious situation.”

He said the lower exchange rate would make the price of imported goods higher, and make travel overseas more expensive for New Zealanders. But it was a positive for exporters.

“Nobody in New Zealand can protect us from the loss of standard of living that has come from this shock. The government can’t buy our way out of this. They can smooth the edges off for the most vulnerable. But in the end, it’s just a cost that is going to sheet home to us.

“The way out of this is by having the external sector ultimately be able to export our way out of this. And a lower exchange rate is part of the adjustment that facilitates that to occur.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand