Baker Tilly Staples Rodway asked clients how the government is performing when it comes to the economy, their expectations for businesses over the coming year and how their own business is performing.

1. How is the
government
performing
when it comes
to managing
the broader
NZ economy?
Very poorly Poorly Well Very well Not sure
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2. Do you think
that this year’s
Budget will have
a positive or
negative impact?
Very negative Negative Positive Very positive Not sureNeutral
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Me personally
My business
The economy
Wellbeing

3. Do you expect
this year’s
Budget to be
better or worse
than last year’s
Budget?
A lot worse A little worse A little
better
Much better Not sureAbout the
same
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Me personally
My business
The economy
Wellbeing

4. What do you
expect these
economic
indicators to do
over the next
year?
Decrease
a lot
Decrease
a little
Increase
a little
Increase
a lot
Not sureStay about
the same
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Economic growth
Consumer confidence
Business confidence
International investment
Exports
Dairy prices
Job security
House prices

5. Auckland more
pessimistic
about economic
growth.
Auckland Rest of NZ
69%
57%Expect overall
decrease in
economic
growth
52%
44%
2019
2018
63%overall decrease

6. Home owners
more likely
to expect
house prices
to decrease.
Home
owners
Non-home
owners
39%
34%
Expect house
prices to
decrease
overall
27%
38%
2019
2018
36%overall decrease

7. How safe
is your job?
Employers less
optimistic about
job security.
Business
owners
Not a business
owner
47%
53%
Expect job
security to
decrease
overall
53%
43%
2019
2018
51%overall decrease

8. How important
is it for the
government to:
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Balance the budget
Measure performance
through economic
factors (e.g. GDP)
Measure performance
through environment
factors (e.g. water quality)
Measure performance
through wellbeing factors
(e.g. mental health)
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not so
important
Not at all
important
Not sure

9. Which measures
do you feel are
most important
to include in this
year’s budget
(pick 5)?
Productivity growth
Education
GDP growth
Hospital waiting lists
Environment
Government debt
Mental health
Housing affordability
Child poverty
Average income
Unemployment rate
Income equality
Perceptions of safety
58%
57%
54%
54%
44%
42%
39%
35%
33%
27%
22%
19%
7%

10. Rank the
following
issues in order
of how much
of a positive
difference
they would
make to your
business.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Invest in infrastructure (i.e. rail, ports, roads etc)
Simplify the tax system and cut red tape for business
Invest in research and development
Reduce personal tax rates
Invest in science, technology & math education
Reduce company tax rates
Encourage the immigration of highly skilled workers
Invest in New Zealanders’ wellbeing
Reduce barriers to international investment
Introduce a Capital Gains Tax

11. 63+33+4+F
In light of the
Government’s
recent rejection
of a Capital
Gains Tax, do
you expect tax
changes to be
introduced in the
next 12 months?
More
tax
63%
Less tax
4%
No change
33%

12. 32+21+41+6+FDo you support
a higher top
income band
for very high
earners?
No
41%
Yes
(over $200,000)
32%
Yes
(over $150,000)
21%
Unsure
6%

13. How’s
business?
How has your
business performed
over the last
12 months?
How is your
business likely to
perform over the
next 12 months?
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Significantly
improve(d)
Improve(d)Stayed the
same
WorseSignificantly
worse

14. 19+66+15+F22+63+15+F
Are you
hiring?
Has the number of employees
in your business changed
over the last 12 months?
How is the number of employees
in your business likely to change
over the next 12 months?
15% 22%
63%
19%
66%
Decrease No change Increase
15%

15. A look at the
people behind
the numbers.
HomeOwner
Employee
BusinessOwner
Retiree
34+4+11+13+7+6+19+3+2+1+F
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty Taranaki
Hawke’s Bay
Wellington
Canterbury
Rest of NZOverseas
Location

16. A look at the
businesses
behind the
numbers.
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Accommodation/Hospitality
Transport & Warehousing
Information Media & Telecommunications
Financial Services
Real Estate
Professional Services
Admin & Support Services
Education & Training
Health Care & Social Assistance
Arts & Recreation
Industry

17. A look at the
businesses
behind the
numbers.
18+25+10+20+22+5+F
<$100,000
$100,000 -
$500,000
$500,000 - $1m
$1m - $5m
$5m - $100m
$100m+
Business
turnover