http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.bonded.co.nz en-us Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:47:17 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/163618/greater-support-for-small-businesses-is-needed/ Small businesses need more support from governments, universities, and consumers.In a recent article published by The Conversation, rising costs, slow demand, tariff tension, digital disruption, and inflation have significantly affected small business owners to the point of closure.Some statistics to consider:Australia’s CommBank shows nearly eight in ten Australian SMEs have struggled with cash flow issues over the past year.Kiwibank found that 52 per cent of businesses reported stronger fina... Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:48:57 +1200 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post163618 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/163359/a-150-year-study-on-new-zealands-infrastructure/ Ever wondered how old New Zealand’s infrastructure is?A recent study shows that most of the infrastructure we see today was built in the 40 years after World War 2.According to the Infrastructure Commission, the average Kiwi spent about $3,000 per year on infrastructure development 50 years ago, but that figure is now around $5000.The study also shows that infrastructure investment over the last two decades has consistently been close to the long-run average at 5.8% of the nation’s GDP. Toda... Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post163359 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/162570/household-insurance-review-launched-by-treasury/ The Treasury has launched a focused review of household insurance affordability and is pausing its existing review of the Natural Hazards Insurance (NHI) for the time being. A Cabinet paper jointly released by Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson in January 2026 highlights the rationale of the decision and outlines the steps being taken to address the rising insurance premiums.... Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:54:14 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post162570 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/162395/government-announces-changes/ New Zealand’s building and construction sector will shift from the current ‘joint and several’ model to ‘proportionate liability’ in a new move by the government.According to a statement by Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, this measure tackles risk-averse behaviour that slows productivity and delivery of new homes.Under joint and several liability, one party (often local councils) typically ends up paying for others who can’t meet their obligations in construction work.... Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:01:01 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post162395 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/160953/protect-your-business-with-credit-insurance/ Credit risk, where customers do not (or cannot) pay the company, is becoming a prominent risk affecting companies in Auckland.Many businesses offer generous credit or payment terms to stay competitive, only to find themselves in hot water when customers fail to meet them. As a result, companies are using credit insurance to mitigate this risk.It’s time your business considered it too.... Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:34:14 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post160953 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/160896/flatlining-productivity-levels-in-construction/ According to Mike Kirby, a Construction Industry Consultant at Auckland University of Technology, the “buy now, fix later” building culture is costing the New Zealand economy around $2.5 billion.In an article in The Conversation, he writes that productivity levels in the industry have flatlined since the mid-1980s. This is critical in a sector that contributes roughly $26 billion annually to the local economy and employs around 70,000 workers.Productivity is important. It reflects the indust... Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:38:24 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post160896 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/159371/a-look-at-new-zealands-worst-cyberattacks/ Cybercriminals have become notorious, as the recent Manage My Health breach has proven. But is this breach one of the worst we’ve seen yet?Recently, My Manage Health had alerted customers of a cybersecurity breach, with hackers (who called themselves “Kazu”) demanding a ransom of $60,000 within 48 hours – or it would leak personal data of 126,000 of its customers.This breach has prompted a government review of the nation’s current security protections, while Manage My Health is working... Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:11:34 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post159371 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/159278/national-infrastructure-pipeline/ Builders and construction companies have received good news to start the year, with a healthy quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission.According to its September reports, the National Infrastructure Pipeline now includes nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects worth a total of $275 billion. It also estimates the total expected cost of initiatives with committed funding or a funding source as $181 billion.Additionally, the value of fully funded initiatives increased by $16.1 ... Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:51:11 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post159278 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/156337/latest-creditor-indicator-cautiously-optimistic-signs-of-recovery/ According to New Zealand’s Credit Bureau Centrix, we’re seeing an overall improvement in credit demand, arrears, and business defaults.Centrix’s latest monthly creditor report indicates encouraging signs in credit trends, despite a persistently challenging economic environment.Managing Director, Keith McLaughlin, says that while some sectors continue to face uncertainty, there is an overall improvement in credit demand."The continued decline in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) is beginning to ... Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:12:06 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post156337 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/post/156112/construction-upturn-ahead-building-consents-up-in-september/ The housing building market continues to show signs of recovery, with the release of the September monthly residential building consent figures being its most promising in two years.According to Statistics NZ, the building market recorded 3747 new residential consents throughout the country in September. This is a 21.7% increase compared to August and up by 27.3% year-on-year.September figures are the highest number of new dwelling consents issued in any month of the year since November 2022. St... Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:30:31 +1300 http://www.bonded.co.nz/blog/#post156112