Recent News

-Dieter Adam, Chief Executive, The Manufacturers’ Network After consultation with the public and businesses, the Government released the final details of its R&D tax credit policy. The policy is not perfect, with areas in which we are going to push the Government further, but they did listen to some of our concerns and made adjustments to the policy and we are happy that a number of these issues we at least partially addressed in the final policy. In The Manufacturers’ Network submission, we pushed for the initially-proposed rate of 12.5% to be increased to 20% to start with. This would bring our innovation support closer to what is offered in many of the countries our manufacturers are competing with, both in export markets and through import competition. While the Government did not raise it that high, they did increase the rate to 15%. This is a definite improvement, but we will continue to push the Government to raise this higher over time – this is something they need to do if they are serious about reaching their target of improving New Zealand’s R&D expenditure to 2% of GDP by 2020. The slightly higher rate will make this a bit more worth the effort for smaller companies and align the system with growth grants for the larger companies who were receiving them. The second major issue we outlined in our submission was the proposed threshold for eligibility – requiring a minimum of $100,000 of eligible R&D expenditure to receive the tax credit is too high. We pushed for this to be significantly lower to make sure small companies have the opportunity to benefit and put them on a path for growth and even more R&D expenditure in the future. Again, while the new threshold is not as low was we would […]

On 1 October, Engineering New Zealand celebrated their first birthday. However, the pedigree stretches back far more than a year: previously known as IPENZ, there is a proud 100-year history representing engineers. Several years ago, members were asked what they wanted from their professional body, and they said greater recognition, influence, credibility and connection. So, transformation took place to deliver these priorities. Recognition means appreciating the value that engineers bring. It’s not about fame or boosterism – it’s about our society genuinely recognising engineers for the work that they do and the genuine difference they make to everyone’s lives and to New Zealand. Credibility for Engineering New Zealand means doing the right thing, doing what you said you’d do, and doing the best job possible. For Engineering New Zealand credibility means standing up for quality, raising the bar for engineering professionals and making sure everyone is accountable. It also means having robust processes and systems, so that everyone knows where they stand. Connection means creating networks together to be more powerful – networks across industries, with like professions and between members. Networks fill in blind spots and help create movements for change. Influence means leverage: leverage to affect decision and policy in the areas engineers’ care about or think are important to New Zealand. This means not just central and local government but other spheres of decision making as well. As part of the new strategy, based on these four pillars, on 1 October 2017 there was the name change and a new, more inclusive Membership Pathway. This new pathway creates a professional home for engineers previously unrecognised by membership classes, including chief executives and other leaders who’ve stepped away from day-to-day technical work. It makes space for academics, and it genuinely recognises technicians and technologists, as well as engineering […]