Roadshow good for business

Small Business Minister and Tukituki MP Craig Foss is taking a myriad of government agencies around the country "to where businesses are".

Small Business Minister and Tukituki MP Craig Foss is hitting the road with a roadshow to help business owners engage with government agencies.

Taking Care of Business: Government Supporting Your Business will visit 16 centres from June to October

"I'm dragging these agencies out of their offices in Wellington and around the country - taking them to where the businesses actually are," he said.

The roadshow visits the Hastings Function Centre on July 25, where business owners will be able to "grab" agency representatives for a one-on-one.

"Whether it's compliance, tax, surveys or trade and innovation, businesses spend a significant amount of time working with government agencies. Our aim is to make that interaction easier and more efficient so business owners can focus on the business of being in business," he said.

"Taking Care of Business will cover recent changes to health and safety legislation, tax, ACC and minimum employment standards, and experts from 14 agencies will be on hand to answer questions.

"Business owners will also be shown useful tools available through the Business.govt.nz website, including the Employment Agreement Builder, the Digital Journey and the Business Toolbox for market research.

"Dealing with government can be difficult and time consuming, so these events are about taking information and advice directly to the people who need it, whether they're plumbers, farmers, contractors, retailers, exporters, importers or self-employed.

"I'm looking forward to attending as many of these events as possible and meeting more small business owners face-to-face."

Last year the Small Business Development Group, a panel of owners advising the government on how its policies affect small business, recommended an improvement in government communication with business owners and helped businesses better understand changes in legislation.

Last months budget outlined changes in how small businesses pay provisional tax, enabling a pay-as-you-go system instead of forward estimates and advance payments.

Business commentators hailed the change as the biggest tax shakeup for small-to-medium businesses in decades.

The Group reports to Mr Foss, who announced the tax change in April.