Setting up business: we’re prize winners

• Jenny Michie
• 12 years ago
• Categories: business, public services

Yesterday I officially set myself up in business.  As a GST registered independent contractor. It took about half an hour. Both IRD and ACC’s websites were easy to navigate and understand.

I do admit I got a little befuddled trying to figure out the correct ACC classification for what I do (enthusiastic nagging, recruitment and communications at your service)so I phoned the call centre.  It was answered immediately by an incredibly helpful and friendly real live human being who sorted my out in about 7 minutes.

Why do we insist on swallowing the myth that the right perpetuates out about NZ businesses being bought to a standstill by a tangle of red tape and burdensome regulation?

Forbes ranked New Zealand second easiest country in the world to do business in, with only Canada scoring higher in the metrics gauging red tape, investor protection, corruption, property rights and monetary freedom.  We scored pretty well too in terms of market performance, technology and tax burden.

We’re also ranked the fifth most effective government in the developed world.

So let’s see: it’s not red tape that’s holding NZ business back and it’s not a ‘bloated’ public service.  I know for sure it ain’t high wages and I doubt it’s the union movement with less than 20% of all workers in a union.

So what’s left?