Taxes, labour laws bigger worries than currency

The strong New Zealand dollar is hurting exporters, but a survey shows local businesses are more concerned about tax and labour laws.

For the 150 companies surveyed as part of the Grant Thornton International Business survey, lower taxes and "better" employment relations laws were rated more highly as key factors to stimulate export growth.

Lower taxes got nearly 80 per cent approval rating as a stimulus for export growth.

Forty-six per cent of those surveyed said it was "very likely" to be a stimulus and 33 per cent said "somewhat likely".

Better employment relations laws got an approval rating of about 71 per cent from local companies.

Better financial support from the Government rated 60 per cent and a lower exchange rate was fourth at 50 per cent.

Grant Thornton New Zealand chairman Peter Sherwin said: "Clearly, a higher dollar is not quite the bogey that some have considered it to be.

"Apart from 'Government red tape', which is a complete negative subject on its own, taxation levels continue to be a major issue for New Zealanders in business."