Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), skills, investment and regions will be the priority areas of the Prime Minister’s business advisory council.

“I’m excited we’ve so quickly identified with the Business Advisory Council the four areas of focus that are important to both the Coalition Government and businesses of all sizes in New Zealand,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Highlighting the skills shortages and productivity problem in the country, Ardern noted she looks forward to advice from the council on how to attract high-quality investment.

Business advisory council chair Christopher Luxon, meanwhile, said the council and the government share the same ambition to see New Zealand succeed. The focus areas, he suggested, can make a huge impact not just economically but also socially and environmentally.

“I am confident that we can start to deliver the first outputs from the priority areas prior to Christmas,” Luxon added.

In August, the government announced it is forming a business advisory council, aimed at providing advice to the Prime Minister on key economic issues, and to assist with the development of the government’s economic policies.