News and views

As more information becomes available about how the country and the economy rebuilds as the lockdown restrictions are eased, some of the bigger strategic decisions will become clearer. Regardless of how long it takes for things to return to ‘normal’, businesses need to look inwards before directing their focus outwards.

There has been much discussion lately about whether, and by how much, rental for commercial premises should be reduced because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

This week will hopefully see New Zealand take the first small steps on a return to something resembling normality after the four-week lockdown on Alert Level Four. Regardless of how the government handles the transition out of lockdown, it will be a new normal and a new reality — that much is obvious.

With the spread of Covid-19 across multiple continents, a contemporary endemic disease has seen the world experience its most recent pandemic. As at 3.30pm on the 16th of April the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand was 1,401.

There are a myriad of government measures to help support the business community while the rest of New Zealand concentrates on saving lives by observing the lockdown. The government’s objective is twofold. Firstly, to reduce the risk of businesses going under as well. Secondly, to maintain a healthy workforce so the business community can restart the economy once the restrictions are lifted.

On 24 March 2020, the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran, released a statement of guidance around the many questions posed for children in shared care and how this works with COVID-19.

On March 17, the Government announced a wage subsidy to support businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis, particularly those struggling to meet their obligations to their employees. Here’s what you need to know about the wage subsidy.​​

The new travel restrictions introduced by the New Zealand government highlight the new reality facing many businesses and communities. The situation is fast-moving and with the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 increasing, the government has introduced new measures to `flatten the curve’.