Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The labour cost index recorded a 3.3% increase in salary and wage rates in the March quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand.

However, compared with last year's September quarter, the rise is 0.7% lower.

John Christie of the Otago Chamber of Commerce says that a significant part of Dunedin's economy consists of small businesses which struggle to contain costs, so that could have resulted in a limited wage rise.

He also expects local figures to be roughly the same as the national ones.


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Economic Development Unit of the Dunedin City Council hosts an international consultant on industry collaboration later this month.

EDU manager Peter Harris says Ivor Ffowcs-Williams will review the city's tourism industry, and encourage new initiatives.

So far Ffowcs-Williams has advised firms in Uganda, Kenya, Germany and Lithuania.

Harris believes collaboration is vital, especially for Dunedin, and that wise managers will realise that it often results in market growth.


Monday, May 4, 2009

The number of people employed in New Zealand has dropped across all types of work, from full time to part time.

Statistics New Zealand released its Quarterly Employment Survey today, for the year to March.

The number of full time jobs has decreased by 1.7%, while the number of filled positions has dropped by just over 1%.

Stats NZ says both annual decreases were driven by the construction and manufacturing industries.


Friday, May 1, 2009

Students are welcoming tertiary institution initiatives that propose to support students who can't find work over the summer period.

Canterbury and Auckland University's Vice Chancellor's have met with senior Government ministers, and discussed ideas such as increasing the amount of summer research scholarships, and creating a ten week summer work programme that would involve students doing menial jobs that might not have otherwise been done.

OUSA president Edwin Darlow says in the current economic climate the University would welcome any initiative that could help students find summer work.


Thursday, April 30, 2009

BP lead a round of petrol price cutting this morning, dropping the pump price of petrol to just under $1.54 a litre.

Shell and Caltex followed suit this afternoon, and all attribute the drop to a weakening in the international price of refined petrol.

None of the major companies have lowered the price of diesel, which remains just under 99c a litre.


Thursday, April 30, 2009

The official cash rate dropped from three to two and a half percentage points today and Reserve Bank Governor, Allan Bollard, made comments signalling it is likely to stay down for some time yet.

The change in rate will make a tangible difference in the lives of many Dunedin people. Forsyth Barr, investment advisor explains more.


Wednesday, April 29, 2009

New Zealand has recorded the largest trade surplus in seven years for the month of March - more than $320,000,000.

Figures released by Statistics New Zealand showed that exports for March were almost 18% higher than a year ago, topping four billion dollars for the first time.

Chief Executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, John Christie, says that the surplus is great news for our country's economy, which relies on growing export trade.

Christie went on to say that the Otago community as a whole would benefit, as a lot of our industry revolves around the agricultural sector, which benefits from solid export figures.


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The failed Hilton Hotel, based in the former Chief Post Office building in Princes Street, was put up for mortgagee sale last month through Bayleys Real Estate.

Sales agent, Robyn Hyndman, says the building is still in the process of being sold and negotiations are continuing.

Hyndman says it’s quite an involved process, which he describes as progressing well.

However, he was unable to give an estimate of when the sale would be finalised.


Monday, April 27, 2009

PGG Wrightson has settled its dispute over a failed alliance with Silver Fern Farms for cash and shares amounting to $42 million.

The agreement ends long discussions on compensation between Silver Fern Farms and Wrightson, after the latter was unable to buy a half stake in the South Island-based meat processor.

Keith Cooper, chief executive, Silver Fern Farms, told 9 Local News today that the settlement will enable the company to invest locally into operational technologies, consumer branding and marketing strategies.

Cooper went on to say that regional plants in Mosgiel and Balclutha will certainly benefit.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Although it falls on a Saturday, Anzac Day is still a public holiday, so many retail stores are not allowed to open until 1 pm tomorrow.

None of the central city stores 9 Local News contacted today were planning on opening before 1 pm, apart from businesses that fell into categories exempt from having to close.

Businesses exempt are those that provide services, such as a mechanic, and not goods. Outlets that provide items that may need to be bought on any given day can also remain open, such as eateries.

Any retailers trading before 1 pm may be prosecuted and could be liable for a fine of up to $1,000.


Thursday, April 23, 2009

Figures released by Statistics New Zealand have shown that 47% of businesses find filling skilled job vacancies difficult.

The most common reason reported for the difficulty was applicants lacking the 'desired attitude, motivation, or personality'.

Jo Arbuckle, Branch Manager of Westaff Recruitment in Dunedin, said the most notable issue locally is that people are over-eager to gain employment, and therefore applied for jobs that fell outside their skill set.


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Work stoppages in 2008 involved nearly 5,000 employees nationwide, with losses of more than 8 thousand person-days of work.

Acting CEO of the Otago Southland Employers Association, Diana Hudson, says there was only one recorded stoppage locally.

Hudson says in Dunedin there are a large number of smaller employers, and it seems we work a little harder in our relationships with our employees.

Nationally, work stoppages cost the country more than $2 million dollars in wages and salaries


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The number of international travellers holidaying in New Zealand has decreased about 10% in the past year, according to figures released by Statistics New Zealand.

The figures showed an increase in the number of visitors from China, but fewer from the UK, the US, Australia, Japan and Korea.

Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton says in the
current financial climate the figures came as no surprise, however, the domestic market is showing signs of slight growth.

Saxton says Dunedin is more resilient than some other centres, as events such as graduations and parents settling their children at University protect the city from relying solely on international visitors.


Monday, April 20, 2009

ANZAC day falls on a Saturday this year meaning most New Zealand workers will miss out on a paid public holiday.

Otago-Southland Employers Association acting chief executive Diana Hudson told the Otago Daily Times the exceptions would be workers who normally worked on that day, such as retail staff or those on seven-day rosters.

Businesses are unable to trade before noon on Anzac Day.
Anzac Day and Waitangi Day are the only two non-transferable public holidays which means they have to be taken when the fall.


Friday, April 17, 2009

The withdrawal of flights to and from Dunedin by Air New Zealand is frustrating the Otago Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Chief Executive John Christie says Air New Zealand have been 'almost abusive in their attitude towards Dunedin'.

The chamber has helped Air New Zealand in the past, with 'Project Gateway' providing marketing support to the company.

John Christie says many Dunedin businesses will be adversely affected by the cuts.