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Small Business Minister Steven Joyce today announced business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition is back for its fourth year.

“The competition is seeking innovative and viable business ideas that are geared for growth and sustainable revenue, with more than $65,000 in incentives available to successful applicants,” Mr Joyce says.

“We want the business ideas that can make a positive contribution to the local, national or global economy to help grow jobs in New Zealand.

Minister for Small Business Steven Joyce today announced two appointments to the Small Business Development Group. 

Frances Valintine and Sharon Henderson will replace departing members Matthew Jones and Rhonda Kite.

“Ms Valintine and Ms Henderson are both outstanding business leaders who have many years’ experience in starting and growing small businesses,” Mr Joyce says.

Small Business Minister Steven Joyce today launched a new SME Research Hub in Wellington, which pulls together important information in one place for small business owners, researchers, government officials and policy makers.

“This new research centre underlines the importance of small business to New Zealand and the New Zealand economy,” Mr Joyce says.

Business owners and senior executives looking to expand their international expertise are being invited to apply for the 2014 Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the scholarships are designed to grow skills and business capability to make New Zealand firms more internationally competitive.

“The knowledge gained from the world’s top business schools by our senior executives will benefit the companies they return to and in turn, help to grow the New Zealand economy and jobs,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development and Small Business Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed a new international report that puts New Zealand third in the world for ease of doing business.

The World Bank’s Doing Business report, released today, is an annual study measuring government regulations and their effect on business across 189 economies.

“This is excellent news. Only Singapore and Hong Kong are higher than us overall and we still rank first in the world for starting a business and investor protection,” Mr Joyce says.

 Minister for Small Business John Banks today congratulated Chia Limited, the Supreme Winner of Business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition.  

Chia Limited produces naturally flavoured bottled drinks containing the chia seed, a natural ‘superfood’ that is a rich source of vegetable Omega 3, complete protein, minerals, electrolytes, fibre, and antioxidants.

The Nelson-based company is co-owned by father and daughter Ben and Chloe Van Dyke, who both share a passion for health and sport.

Small Business Minister John Banks today welcomed the Government’s progress towards the introduction of a unique New Zealand Business Number for each of the 550,000 businesses on the Companies Register.

Small Business Minister John Banks today congratulated the 51 entrants of the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition who have made it through to Stage 2.

“To those 51 entrants, well done – you’ve proven innovation is alive and well in New Zealand,” Mr Banks said.  

“To those who didn’t make the cut this year, don’t be put off.  Perseverance is just as important in getting a business off the ground as having a good idea in the first place. 

Labour MP David Clark’s claim that the number of new start-up businesses has fallen fails to understand the reality of the Global Financial Crisis, Minister for Small Business John Banks said today.

“While the total number of start-ups has fallen since 2007, 92 per cent of those closures were zero-employee firms – in other words the self-employed,” Mr Banks said.

Good evening; I am very pleased to welcome you all to the beautiful Trentham Racecourse here in Upper Hutt.  I know that having this ‘Biz’ event will inspire you to greater things in your business.

Upper Hutt has a fine reputation of innovative SMEs in high value goods manufacturing and exporting, thanks to firms such as TenderRest and VenTech Systems.
The speakers that have agreed to present at these events are inspirational and I would like to acknowledge Tenby Powell, convenor of the Government’s Small Business Development Group.  

Small Business Minister John Banks says SME owners looking to grow their business should enter the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition run by Business.govt.nz. 

The competition – now in its third consecutive year - seeks out the best business plans from businesses and start-ups across New Zealand with an annual turnover of less than $1 million.  There is $80,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. 

Minister for Small Business John Banks is encouraging small business owners to apply for the Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships. 

Small Business Minister John Banks today released the factsheet ‘Small Businesses in New Zealand’ that highlights the significant contribution small and medium-sized firms make to New Zealand’s economy.

The factsheet is a summary of results from recent Statistics New Zealand surveys relating to small and medium enterprises.  It shows that smaller businesses dominate our industries and play their part in generating jobs, innovation and overseas income.

Key results include:

The Government is actively pursuing a wide range of initiatives that provide the certainty and support the Small Business Advisory Group is calling for, Minister for Small Business John Banks said today.

Mr Banks has released the Government’s response to the Small Business Advisory Group’s 2012 report, addressing the eight recommendations the Group believed would make a difference to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The future is looking brighter for small business in New Zealand.  

Interest rates and inflation are at record lows.  

We are just starting to see the first positive signs of productivity growth since 2006.

New Zealand is faring a lot better than many other countries.

Recent surveys by the BNZ and ANZ have found small business owners are feeling more confident about their prospects in the year ahead.  

Announcing the appointment of the Small Business Development Group (formerly Small Business Advisory Group) today, Mr Banks welcomed twelve new members from a diverse range of industries in the economy and representing a number of regions.

“SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy, and the Small Business Development Group plays an important role providing the small business voice in business policy development,” Mr Banks said.

Small Business Minister John Banks today congratulated Business.govt.nz for winning the Government category at last night’s AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

Hosted by the AUT Business School, winners across 13 categories were announced to an audience of over 700 business leaders. This year saw a total of 47 finalists - the highest in the award’s seven-year history.

“This award highlights the value Business.govt.nz provides New Zealand’s small and medium enterprises,” Mr Banks said.

Small Business Minister John Banks has congratulated Business.govt.nz for winning their category at the NetGuide Web Awards for the second year running.

Business.govt.nz was judged the Best Site for Small Businesses in the 2012 NetGuide Web Awards, which acknowledges New Zealand’s best websites, based on 225,000 votes.

“This deserved award recognises the value Business.govt.nz provides small businesses in New Zealand,” Mr Banks said. 

It is a pleasure to be here today to award the supreme prize for www.business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition.

More than 760 people put forward ideas for the ANZ Flying Start competition – the kind of ideas that show off the ingenuity and entrepreneurship that New Zealanders are renowned for. 

Many of these ideas, when partnered with a solid business plan, have the ingredients for success in New Zealand, and across the globe.

Minister for Small Business John Banks today congratulated Invert Robotics - an innovative Canterbury robotics firm - for winning Business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition. 

Invert Robotics has created a world leading inspection solution for dairy factories and other users of stainless steel equipment.  Their remotely-operated climbing robots replace the existing abseil method, providing a fast, accurate and safer way of inspecting dairy equipment. 

Small Business Minister John Banks today congratulated the 51 entrepreneurs who have made it to the next stage of the Business.govt.nz Flying Start Business Plan Competition, sponsored by ANZ.

“More than 750 small and start-up business owners submitted their business plan proposals for a chance to win a share of $82,000 in prizes. Three finalists have been selected from each of the 17 regions,” Mr Banks said. 

Minister for Small Business John Banks today announced that new members are being sought for the Small Business Advisory Group (SBAG).

“Small and medium business are the foundation of the New Zealand economy.  The Government needs to hear what SME owners think so that we can make decisions that help, and not hinder their growth,” Mr Banks said.

Small Business Minister John Banks today launched the Business.govt.nz second annual ANZ Flying Start Business Plan competition, with more than $80,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. 

“The ANZ Flying Start Business Plan competition seeks out the best business plan from new or fledgling New Zealand enterprises, and helps them put their plans into action,” Mr Banks said. 

“Small and medium businesses drive the New Zealand economy, making up 97 per cent of all enterprises and employing over 500,000 Kiwis. 

Minister for Small Business John Banks welcomed the release of the Small Business Advisory Group (SBAG) report ‘Thriving and Surviving in a Seismic Environment’, which contains eight recommendations for the Government to consider. 

“Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) have had a roller-coaster ride in the past few years with the 2008/2009 global recession, the effects of which were compounded for many in Christchurch with the series of devastating earthquakes,” Minister Banks said.