KEY POINTS:
A clear majority of New Zealand businesses think it is time for a common currency between Australia and New Zealand, according to a survey for the latest Grant Thornton International Business Report.
A smaller majority of New Zealand companies also thought the NZSE should be merged with the Australian Stock Exchange.
Sixty per cent responded positively to the question, "Do you think the New Zealand dollar and the Australian dollar should be merged into a common currency?" - with 38 per cent against.
Among those who favoured a common currency, the biggest number (37.8 per cent) considered this should happen by the year 2010. A further 23.3 per cent thought the currencies should be merged even earlier, by 2008.
"In various sectors there has been a drive to harmonise laws, regulations and standards affecting transtasman commerce..." said Peter Sherwin, New Zealand spokesman on the survey for Grant Thornton.
The survey has been released to coincide with the visit of Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
- NZPA