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Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson has congratulated business.govt.nz for winning their category at the 2011 NetGuide Web Awards.

Business.govt.nz was judged the Best Site for Small Businesses against competition from four other websites including ird.govt.nz and xero.com.

The NetGuide Web Awards acknowledge New Zealand’s best websites and this year attracted over 270,000 votes.

“I am delighted that the team at business.govt.nz have been recognised for their work in supporting small businesses,” Mr Williamson said.

Introduction

I am very pleased to be a part of today’s ceremony for the winners of the Flying Start Business Plan competition.

Latest demographics

As we all know,small businesses are vital to our economy.  They are the life‑blood of New Zealand.  Their success is our success.

As Minister of Statistics, I want to quickly share with you some of the very latest data we have on small businesses. 

Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson has presented Phil and Janette Hall, owners of the Kiwi Ideas Company, the Supreme Award at the ANZ Flying Start Business Awards in Wellington today.

The Masterton company won over the judges and 500 other entries with a business plan to market their patented brand of scratch and fog resistant safety goggles, Safe Eyes.

Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson has announced the appointment of Wellington businessman Mark Whitecliffe to the Small Business Advisory Group.

Mr Whitecliffe is the managing director of Wellington firm MSO Design, becoming owner in 1996.

“With 29 years business experience and active involvement in Te Awe (Wellington Māori Business Network), he will bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to the group’s work,” Mr Williamson says.

Introduction

Thank you very much for inviting me to speak here today.

I am always pleased to attend business expos – I can sense the excitement in the air and the potential for great things from small beginnings.

It always amazes me how many vibrant and innovative small businesses we have in this country.

Today I want to give you an idea of:

Entrepreneurs who use www.business.govt.nz to put a business plan in place could win a $60,000 prize package, Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson said.

A competition launched today by www.business.govt.nz will seek out the best business plan and give it a kick-start for growth.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the New Zealand economy and I support any initiative that encourages businesses to start and grow,” Mr Williamson said.

Introduction

I am very pleased to talk to you today about technology.  As you might know, I’m very passionate about it.

The new technology out there right now is astounding.  As Arthur C Clarke said, “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

But are we using it to our full potential? 

Thank you for inviting me here to speak to you today. 

A new-look government website launched today will help save small business owners time and money, Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Small Business Minister Maurice Williamson has announced the appointment of Wellington businesswoman Hanne Andersen to the Small Business Advisory Group.

The nine people appointed to the new Small Business Advisory Group provide a wealth of talent and experience, Minister for Small Business Maurice Williamson says.

Small Business Minister, Maurice Williamson, has today released the 2009 “SMEs in New Zealand: Structure and Dynamics” report which reconfirms the strong contribution made to the New Zealand ec