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Small Business Minister Jacqui Dean today welcomed the launch of a digital assessment tool co-developed by social enterprise Digital Journey and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“Digital technology brings a world of new opportunities to New Zealand’s small businesses, and as a Government we are focused on supporting them to get the most out of our fast growing digital economy,” says Ms Dean.

“This tool empowers businesses to take advantage of these digital opportunities with a personalised Action Plan of recommendations.

More than 100,000 employment agreements have been completed using an online tool refreshed by Business.govt.nz just over one year ago, says Small Business Minister Jacqui Dean.

“As a Government we are committed to helping New Zealand’s small businesses thrive, and the Employment Agreement Builder is just one way we’re helping small businesses get ahead,” Ms Dean says.

Associate Minister of Local Government Jacqui Dean today announced that she is withdrawing Crown Manager, Peter Winder, from the Kaipara District Council because of technical uncertainties about his appointment.

“The Kaipara District Council is transitioning well back to local governance, led by the strong leadership of the locally elected Mayor and Councillors. It is unfortunate I have to withdraw Peter Winder from his appointment as Crown Manager to the Council,” says Ms Dean.

The Government has approved grants to 32 territorial authorities to subsidise neutering for menacing dogs, Associate Minister for Local Government Jacqui Dean has announced today.

An $850,000 pool of Government funding to subsidise neutering is part of the national action plan to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks which was announced in late 2016.

“These neutering programmes will help make our communities safer by reducing the risk of dog attacks,” says Ms Dean.

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) has been ranked number one in the world for its online capabilities by the World Trademark Review says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean.

“We are focused as a Government on providing an environment and the tools to help kiwi businesses get ahead, and it is great to have the efforts of IPONZ recognised on the international stage,” says Ms Dean.

Over 160,000 people have accessed the government’s product recall website to help keep themselves and their families safe since it was launched one year ago today, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean.

“The site is a whole-of-government, one-stop-shop simplifying the product recall space. It is an accessible, easy-to-use website that brings together all product safety information in one location,” says Ms Dean.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean today welcomed the release of FMA guidance intended to make basic advice about KiwiSaver available to more New Zealanders.

“Some of the most important financial decisions kiwis make are joining KiwiSaver, and working out what type of fund to invest in,” says Ms Dean

“The guidance makes it clear that a lot of simple advice about KiwiSaver falls within the category of ‘class advice’ that can be provided by any person permitted to give financial advice.

Small Business Minister Jacqui Dean has announced today she will travel throughout New Zealand in 2017 for Small Business Roadshows, starting with Kāikoura, Blenheim and Wellington.

“This is particularly important in Kāikoura, whose businesses may need added support following the devastating earthquake. Therefore we’ll be in town on 27 March to meet with businesses and help them navigate all the support that is available in the region,” says Ms Dean.

Knowing how to avoid common consumer pitfalls when buying a vehicle has been made simpler, with Consumer Protection’s new motor vehicle information programme launching today, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean.

“Buying a motor vehicle is a significant purchase. This programme will help people thinking about buying a motor vehicle avoid problems and, if things do go wrong, to know their consumer rights,” says Ms Dean.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean has today announced that John Kensington, a Partner with KPMG, and Michael Bradbury, a Professor of Accounting at Massey University, have been appointed as members of the External Reporting Board (XRB) for a five-year term.

“I am pleased to welcome John and Michael to the XRB.  They are both outstanding additions who will bring significant knowledge and experience to the Board,” says Ms Dean.  

The Minister also appointed Bill Edge, Chair of the Australian Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

The trans-Tasman patent attorney regime, a system for joint regulation of patent attorneys in Australia and New Zealand, is now in effect, helping to create a seamless trans-Tasman business environment.

Reforms as part of the Single Economic Market agenda, agreed to by the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand in 2009, have created a single body to regulate patent attorneys in both countries.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean has released an exposure draft of the Bill that will amend the regulation of financial advice in New Zealand.

“The current regulation of financial advice is seen to be overly complex and has imposed regulatory barriers that are preventing people from receiving the advice they need,’ Ms Dean says.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean today announced a new appointment to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.

“I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Brett Carter as a Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal adjudicator for a five-year term, starting on 15 February 2017,” Ms Dean says.

The most innovative businesses in our financial services sector are now working together to help shape the future of our economy, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean.

Ms Dean welcomed the nationwide launch of the New Zealand Financial Innovation and Technology Association (FinTechNZ) last night at Wellington’s Stock Exchange. FinTechNZ is a new industry body for New Zealand financial technology firms.