Media Release

27 September 2016

Porirua Business Positive About Wellington Region Economy

Business confidence in the Wellington region's economy is positive, according to the Porirua Chamber of Commerce Business Confidence Survey.

A net 49 per cent of business respondents expect the Wellington Region’s economy to improve over the next 12 months. 59 per cent expected the regional economy to improve, 32 per cent expected it to remain the same, and 9 per cent expected it to decline.

Comparatively, a net 53 per cent expect the national economy to improve over the same period.

The survey was conducted over a two-week period in September.

Business respondents were also very confident in the improvement of their own business situations, with net 83 per cent believing their situation would improve in the next 12 months.

A net 75 per cent of respondents also expect their own earnings to improve in the next 12 months, while a net 34 per cent expect to invest in business equipment over the same period.

Most respondents intended to hire staff in the next 12 months, with net 66 per cent expecting to hire either full-time or part-time employees.

Finding skilled staff continues to present a challenge, with one-third of respondents saying it is harder to hire skilled staff than it was 12 months ago, while the remaining two-thirds said they had the same difficulty over that time period. When asked unprompted about what barriers their businesses were facing, respondents cited skills shortages as the primary barrier. This data is consistent with other data from the region.

When asked unprompted about what barriers were holding back the Wellington Region, the majority of respondents cited infrastructural issues as the main barrier.

The Chamber also sought its members’ views on the runway extension, and Transmission Gully. The majority of members agreed with both projects.

Porirua Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Johnson said the results were pleasing.

“We know anecdotally that the Porirua business community’s outlook is positive, and it is great to have this confirmed with these numbers.

“The challenges around skills shortages are nothing new, and this is consistent with data from other parts of the region. It is something we are always working towards addressing, and will work with businesses to advocate the necessary changes.

“The survey is a great way for us as the Chamber to monitor the business temperature here in Porirua, and we look forward to comparing numbers over the regular surveys.”

Net percentage is the balance of sentiment, positive minus negative responses.

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