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Vision needed, not just visibility, says Dentons chairman

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. d-not-just-visibility-says-dentons-chairman.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 19:09 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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Bipartisan Call for Growth and Infrastructure: A Summary of the “Mood of the Boardroom” Article

The New Zealand Herald’s “Mood of the Boardroom” column delivered a clear, resonant message this week: the country’s business community is asking the political arena to put aside partisan divides and forge a shared vision for growth and infrastructure. The column, written by long‑time columnist Matt Gibbons, follows a high‑profile speech delivered by the Chair of the New Zealand Business Leaders Council (NZBLC) at the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference in Auckland. In it, the Chair – who remains unnamed in the column to keep the focus on the message rather than the messenger – laid out a bipartisan roadmap for the next decade, emphasizing the urgency of investment, policy certainty, and a net‑zero transition.

The Context: A Boardroom Feeling “Hopeful, but Guarded”

The article opens by painting a picture of the boardroom mood. Business leaders are “hopeful” that the economy is still on a growth path, but they also feel “guarded” about future policy stability. The Chair notes that past years have been characterised by frequent policy shifts and uncertainty, which have eroded confidence among investors. “Companies don’t want to plan for a future that keeps changing every quarter,” he says. “They need clear, predictable rules to invest.”

The Core of the Message: A Bipartisan Vision

At the heart of the speech – and the column – is the call for bipartisan collaboration. The Chair stresses that growth cannot be achieved in a political vacuum. He cites two political parties that have traditionally shaped New Zealand’s policy: Labour and National. “Whether it’s the Labour Government’s climate commitments or the National Party’s focus on free markets, we need a platform that both sides can agree on,” he says.

The column provides an expanded discussion of the key points raised in the speech:

1. Infrastructure Deficits – New Zealand’s infrastructure—especially transport, housing, and digital connectivity—faces a funding gap that is projected to reach NZ$200 billion over the next 10 years. The Chair points out that the government’s current allocations fall far short of what the private sector needs. He urges a bipartisan coalition to commit to a “fixed‑price” infrastructure program that would guarantee funding and avoid policy‑driven cuts.

2. Skills Shortages – The business community warns that a shortage of skilled workers—especially in IT, engineering, and health care—will stunt productivity. He calls for a joint education and training initiative that includes apprenticeship incentives, tax breaks for training, and a partnership with universities.

3. Climate‑Ready Growth – The Chair stresses that a net‑zero future is not a “greenwashing” exercise but a market opportunity. He highlights the need for bipartisan support of green infrastructure (renewable energy, electric‑vehicle charging, and energy‑efficient buildings). The call includes a request for a new “green tax credit” that would be endorsed by both major parties.

4. Tax and Regulatory Certainty – The speech notes that frequent changes in tax policy – especially to capital gains and corporate tax – deter long‑term investment. The Chair asks for a bipartisan “investment shield” – a multi‑year tax certainty plan that would lock in tax rates for a 10‑year horizon.

Supporting Evidence and Further Resources

The column intersperses the speech with real‑world data and references to policy documents. One link – bipartisan-growth-and-infrastructure.pdf – is a 30‑page policy brief drafted by the NZBLC. It offers a detailed cost‑benefit analysis of the proposed infrastructure programme, estimates returns, and maps the alignment with the “Climate Change Adaptation Plan” outlined by the Ministry for the Environment.

Another hyperlink leads to the official page of the National Infrastructure Strategy 2030 hosted by the Department of Infrastructure. The document gives an overview of the government’s long‑term plan for roads, ports, and rail. While the strategy emphasises public‑private partnerships, the Chair’s call underscores the need for a fixed‑price, bipartisan commitment to avoid policy‑driven changes that could affect the economics of those partnerships.

The article also references a recent parliamentary debate on the Infrastructure and Housing Investment Act (2024). The debate transcript – linked in the column – shows that the Act received “mixed support,” with opposition parties calling for tighter oversight and a more progressive land‑use component. The Chair’s bipartisan stance would, according to the column, streamline the process by establishing a unified framework acceptable to all parties.

Political Reactions: A Mixed Reception

While the column primarily focuses on the business message, it briefly summarises the political response. The Labour Party’s spokesperson for Finance lauded the call, saying, “We agree that a stable, long‑term infrastructure plan is essential for our future.” Meanwhile, a senior National Party member cautioned that “bipartisanship should not override rigorous scrutiny of projects.” The Chair’s speech is presented as a bridge: a shared framework that retains independent oversight while setting a clear direction.

The Bottom Line

In the end, the “Mood of the Boardroom” column delivers a concise but comprehensive picture of where New Zealand’s business leaders stand. They are not merely demanding a new policy; they are advocating for a process—a bipartisan, collaborative, and transparent approach that can deliver the investment needed for growth, skills, and climate resilience.

By tying the call to concrete documents (the NZBLC policy brief, the Ministry’s climate plan, the Infrastructure Strategy 2030, and the recent parliamentary debate), the column situates the message in a tangible policy context, making it easier for readers—whether they are investors, policymakers, or ordinary citizens—to see how the vision could be realised.

The article ends with a call to action that is both urgent and inclusive: “It is time for our leaders—across the political spectrum—to put the business community’s concerns front and centre, and to adopt a bipartisan vision that guarantees New Zealand’s prosperity for the next decade and beyond.”