PM’s Business Advisory Council membership announced

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a diverse cross section of leaders from the business community will form her Business Advisory Council to advise the Coalition Government as it works on building a productive, sustainable and inclusive economy that improves the wellbeing of New Zealanders.

“New Zealand needs a modern economy that has the investment, innovation and skills required to ensure we can all share in prosperity and opportunity in a sustainable way. To do that we need to work closely with business leaders, share ideas and consider solutions to overcoming barriers together,” Jacinda Ardern said.

The Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council, chaired by Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon, brings together a mix of experts, six women and seven men with small to large business experience, from across New Zealand, to provide advice. It is expected to meet three times a year with the Prime Minister and her representatives.

The terms of reference for the Council sets out that it will:

· provide high-level free and frank advice on policies that directly affect business

· harness the expertise of the private sector to inform government policy

· build closer relationships between government and business.

“I will also be asking the Council to gather advice from their peers in the domestic and international business community on some of the most important issues facing New Zealand including how we best grow and share our prosperity, support regional development, and transition to a clean, green New Zealand,” Jacinda Ardern said.

“I’ve asked the Council to drill down into key issues within our four economic priority areas that will provide answers to some of the big economic challenges regularly raised with me by business leaders.

“The Council’s work will complement the work the Government is already doing with the Small Business Council, and business and union representative groups through the Tripartite Forum. It will do this by focusing on macro level economic strategy, and providing active leadership on the Government’s economic agenda,” Jacinda Ardern said.

The Council’s initial areas of focus will include skills, investment, infrastructure, sustainability and regional development.

Christopher Luxon said the Council’s composition reflected a diversity of skills and industry experience from businesses of different sizes and locations across the whole economy designed to make a significant contribution to building a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy.

“All Council members are committed to seeing New Zealand realise its potential and are excited to step up and play a role in supporting the Prime Minister. The Council will provide free and frank advice to the Prime Minister on economic issues, build closer relationships between business of all sizes and the Government and provide expertise to inform policy decisions,” he said.

“I look forward to the first meeting of the Council in Auckland on 8 November and I will also be attending a meeting of the Small Business Council shortly,” said Jacinda Ardern.

Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council members

Christopher Luxon (Chair) Air New Zealand

Peter Beck Rocket Lab

Barbara Chapman Professional director (started as Genesis Chair on 10 Oct)

Jacqui Coombes Bunnings

Anna Curzon Xero

Andrew Grant McKinsey & Company

Miles Hurrell Fonterra

Bailey Mackey Pango Productions

David McLean Westpac

Joc O’Donnell HW Richardson

Gretta Stephens Bluescope/NZ Steel

Rachel Taulelei Kono

Fraser Whineray Mercury

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