Wellbeing Budget Delivers Further Digital Boost For New Zealand’s SMEs

The Wellbeing Budget announced today on the 30th anniversary of the “Mother of All Budgets”, sees investment targeted at addressing the long-term social challenges previously laid out by Minister Robertson.

With an operating allowance of $3.8billion per year, the biggest increase to benefits in more than a generation, significant investment in infrastructure that brings with it an increase in jobs, and further investment in climate change, have taken centre stage.

However, for New Zealand’s SMEs, there are a range of initiatives in this year’s Budget that address some key issues high on their agenda.

A further digital boost for SMEs

Building on the recent success of the Digital Boost programme which launched late last year (and was funded by Budget 2020) and helping to future proof their success, this year’s Budget has seen $44million allocated to the continuation of the programme over the next two years.

Of the new investment, MYOB SME Senior Sales Manager, Krissy Sadler-Bridge, says: “Our teams see the benefits of digital adoption every day through our engagement with SMEs across New Zealand – from its ability to increase productivity, efficiency, and resilience, to how it can help small businesses become nimbler in how they respond to unforeseen change.

“Our recent Tech Snapshot highlighted that more than half of our local SMEs would like to make changes to improve digitisation in their business in the next 12 months. Leading up to the Budget, 58% of SMEs we polled said they were in support of business digitisation and technology funding, so they will be encouraged to see more investment going into this.

“We are proud to be working with MBIE and others involved in the Digital Boost programme and look forward to continuing to support their work in this area as it moves into new territory with advisory now on the radar.”

Increased investment in infrastructure

Prior to this year’s Budget, a significant 62% of SMEs surveyed by MYOB said they would like to see an increase in spending on infrastructure and Budget 2021 certainly delivered.

An increase on top of what the Government already had in its books, has seen Crown spending from 2021 to 2025 reach $57.3billion with a focus this year on rail, schools, DHB’s, and even Scott Base.

For more than one-in-10 SMEs (17%) who wanted to see more spending specifically targeting road infrastructure, a $4.5billion investment in transport services and infrastructure through the National Land Transport Fund will also be good news.

“Infrastructure is an area that SMEs were particularly keen to see increased investment in, and this year’s Budget has delivered solid focus on infrastructure, and through this, projects that will create more employment opportunities.

“While it’s great to see some of this funding allocated to much-needed areas we know SMEs were in favour of – like public schools and hospitals – and likewise see the Government considering how to keep our economy moving, SMEs will now be looking to understand what opportunities there will be to get involved in any local contracting opportunities.”

In addition to these bigger projects, Budget 2021 also sees $10million allocated to boosting rural connectivity over the next two years.

“When it comes to digital infrastructure, SMEs will also be pleased to see additional investment in the improving rural connectivity. This will play a critical role in empowering businesses in these more remote areas to start considering the use of more digital solutions to boost their business,” explains Krissy Sadler-Bridge.

“We know greater connectivity enablers like 5G are amongst the top technological tools SMEs expect to have a significant impact on how they do business over the next five years, and this spend will be key to ensuring they can realise the potential they’re seeing in these digital developments.”

Climate change support

Another area SMEs were hoping to see further investment in as part of the Wellbeing Budget was climate change. In fact, 41% of SMEs said they wanted to see the Government spend more combating climate change and 30% said they wanted to see less investment in non-renewable energy.

Today’s announcement sees this addressed, with $300million set to be invested in low-carbon technology. More specifically for businesses, $14million has been allocated to ensuring the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) can scale up its support for businesses as they navigate their way through changes that could see them reach their low emissions targets.

“Nearly half (47%) of SMEs we polled in the lead up to Budget said they would like to see the Government spend more on renewable energy, so it’s pleasing to see a continued focus from Minister Shaw on accelerating investment in low carbon technology and likewise a boost to EECA efforts to help businesses on their low-emissions journey,” says Krissy.

A surprising omission

One notable area not addressed within today’s Wellbeing Budget that SMEs were hoping to see, is investment in mental health and wellbeing support specific to small business owners.

Krissy Sadler-Bridge, explains: “Beyond some of what’s been allocated within the recent tourism funding announced by Minister Nash, it’s surprising to see there’s been no allocation of investment for further support the mental wellbeing needs of small business owners.

“Our latest MYOB Business Monitor revealed that more than a third of SMEs have experienced a mental health condition since starting or running their business, and more than half of those polled leading up to Budget said they’d like to see the Government spend more on mental health.

“As uncertainty and low economic confidence remains, there is a real need to support them through this time and we remain committed to doing what we can and working with Government to help them navigate the physical and mental stresses of running a business.”

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