Podcast appearances and mentions of leeann watson

Leeann Watson, CEO of Business Canterbury, joined John MacDonald to give a quarterly update. Are we seeing signs of recovery in Canterbury? What would a commuter train mean for the city business scene? And will the Government's new approach to WorkSafe make a difference for local businesses and how they operate? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury's Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what's happening on the business front. They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury's Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what's happening on the business front. They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashburton's incoming second bridge is being viewed as an economic lifeline for the South Island. Work on the project will begin in 2026. The Government will pay for its construction while the district council will foot the bill for the joining road. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says the current bridge has been washed away multiple times. She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that significant volumes of freight pass through Ashburton daily. Watson says it goes up to the Christchurch Airport and Lyttelton Port, so a bridge closure makes things difficult for businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water-coolers in offices, and homes, around the country have been the scene of plenty of heated discussion this week thanks to Public Service Minister Nicola Willis. On Monday she directed her department bosses to tighten up on working-from-home arrangements, saying they should only be by agreement, should not compromise performance, and departments and agencies must regularly report on the number and nature of agreements in place. With this in mind, Tova O'Brien, from Stuff's Tova podcast, was joined by Business Canterbury Chief Executive, Leeann Watson, and Professor of Management and Māori Business at the Massey Business School, Dr Jarrod Haar, to discuss the good and the not-so-good when to comes to working from home. To hear more from the Tova podcast visit https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/tova-podcast/

There's a belief overseas workers could be the answer to potential construction worker shortages in Canterbury.  The Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure estimates more than 23 thousand additional workers will be needed over the next three years.  Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson says it's not a unique problem for the region.  She told Mike Hosking that changes to the vocational system need to be aligned with immigration policy as it plays a major role in meeting New Zealand's workforce challenges.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief an increased police presence in Christchurch's CBD is a win for all. Police have launched their Community Beat Teams, which will have up to 18 new and experienced officers patrolling the garden city's commercial areas. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says it acts as a deterrent for trouble-makers and helps those coming into the city feel secure. "For tourists, it provides a level of comfort and assurance - and it also helps the business owners and operators know that there's some extra support there for them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflicting reports have emerged of how business owners are feeling about the state of the economy.  ANZ's latest business outlook survey shows business confidence has lifted another nine points in August, with inflationary expectations down.  But, Canterbury Business Chamber CEO Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they've done their own survey - which paints a different picture.  She says 58 percent of businesses expect the economy to get moderately or significantly worse, compared with just 39 percent last quarter.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflicting reports have emerged of how business owners are feeling about the state of the economy.  ANZ's latest business outlook survey shows business confidence has lifted another nine points in August, with inflationary expectations down.  But, Canterbury Business Chamber CEO Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they've done their own survey - which paints a different picture.  She says 58 percent of businesses expect the economy to get moderately or significantly worse, compared with just 39 percent last quarter.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association says Auckland businesses are feeling beaten up, after months of bad weather, high costs, soaring interest rates and flagging sales. It's symptomatic of a slowdown which has tipped the economy into recession after two quarters of negative growth. In Christchurch by contrast, the latest survey by the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce shows 78-percent of members are upbeat, while those expecting the economy to worsen over the coming year has dropped, from 48-percent in the December quarter, to 39-percent now. Allan McDonald, Head of Advocacy and Strategy for the Employers and Manufacturers Association, and Leeann Watson, the Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Canterbury expresses disappointment as the South Island misses out again on funding to fight youth crime. The Government has launched a $2 million dollar youth crime package in Auckland, Waikato, Northland and Bay of Plenty. It will ensure a support plan is quickly put in place for child offenders, within 24 to 48 hours. Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson says it's frustrating that Canterbury is left out of this package distribution. "While we appreciate there are other part of the country where the reported crimes are higher and therefore are given the attention, we still want to see further action down here in Christchurch and Canterbury." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury businesses are making sure they're not forgotten as retailers grapple with crime across the country. 80 of the city's business owners have signed a letter asking the Government to hold offenders to account. They're concerned the recent crime support announcements don't go far enough. Canterbury Employers' Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it's not unique to Christchurch, but they want to stop what they're seeing. She says the current rules, regulations and consequences need to be reviewed to break the cycle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury businesses are making sure they're not forgotten as retailers grapple with crime across the country. 80 of the city's business owners have signed a letter asking the Government to hold offenders to account. They're concerned the recent crime support announcements don't go far enough. Canterbury Employers' Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it's not unique to Christchurch, but they want to stop what they're seeing. She says the current rules, regulations and consequences need to be reviewed to break the cycle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exactly how long big businesses are taking to pay their bills could soon become public. Small Business Minister Stuart Nash wants to introduce legislation to create the disclosure regime by the end of the year and aims to have it up and running by 2024. It would apply to any business that makes more than $33 million a year. Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief executive Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking they support the idea, but says this issue isn't top of mind for businesses. She says the bigger issues for small businesses are access to capital and labour market shortages. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exactly how long big businesses are taking to pay their bills could soon become public. Small Business Minister Stuart Nash wants to introduce legislation to create the disclosure regime by the end of the year and aims to have it up and running by 2024. It would apply to any business that makes more than $33 million a year. Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief executive Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking they support the idea, but says this issue isn't top of mind for businesses. She says the bigger issues for small businesses are access to capital and labour market shortages. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a decade without a premier sports and music venue, Christchurch will finally get a new stadium. The City Council voted yesterday to approve $683 million contract for the city's planned Te Kaha stadium. There's even a new song about it, thanks to resident Peter Morrison. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson spoke to Susie Ferguson.

As Christchurch ratepayers have their say on the future of the city's beleaguered new stadium project, the Prime Minister has made it clear there'll be no more money from central government. The 30,000 seat covered stadium was initially projected to cost $533 million, but ballooning costs mean another $150 million is needed, taking the project to $683 million. The government is contributing $220 million to the project, and the Prime Minister yesterday ruled out providing more support to cover the increasing costs. A large chunk will have to be absorbed by Christchurch ratepayers, an estimated extra $39 a year per household would be needed, pushing up rates bills by $144 a year in total for the stadium. In response to the blowout, the council is now consulting the public on three options; accept the $150 million cost increase, delay and redesign it, or stop the project altogether. Kathryn speaks to Sam MacDonald, Christchurch city councillor and Leeann Watson, chief executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce.

Kathryn speaks with Leeann Watson, Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce about the reopening of the border and the immigration changes announced yesterday. She says it's a boost for tourism, hospitality and retail as well as for exporters and manufacturers. But she says it'll be a challenge to get the 10,000 additional workers per year needed in the Canterbury region to fill gaps.

It is great to be back. We had a brilliant week in Twizel with the teenagers at the Maadi Cup rowing championships. Cashmere High School did itself very proud – the girls winning silver in two finals (the first-time girls from Cashmere have ever won medals at the Maadi Cup). And the boys in the Big 8s boat came 4th in the big Maadi Cup final – only the second time Cashmere has qualified for that event, beating schools with a lot more money behind them, just saying.  So, after a fantastic week, it is back to the real world today. For the kids – and the parents. By the way, congratulations to the organisers for pulling off what they did in Twizel. After planning for having no spectators, they kicked into gear big time when the Government announced the other week that crowd limits at outdoor events were out the window. So, pretty much at the last minute, they arranged to have a separate spectator zone up-and-running in time for the final's races on Friday and Saturday. So big ups to South Island Rowing and Rowing New Zealand for making all that happen.    But I tell you what, it did bring home to me some of the absurdities we are still dealing with when it comes to COVID-19.  I'll give you an example. When we arrived at the gate, we had to have a mask on. Despite the fact that as soon as we got past the gate, pretty much everyone took them off. I'll go as far as saying 99 percent of people did that. Maybe even more. Which brought home to me the fact that the Government just has to stop tinkering at the edges with this and, when they meet today, Cabinet Ministers have to look around the table and say to each other ‘the time has come'. The time has come to – at the very least – change the traffic light settings. And I'm not talking about shifting Auckland from red to orange and keeping the rest of the country at red, as I've heard talked about. Imagine how people here in Canterbury would react to that? No, I'm talking about one of two things: shifting the whole country from red to orange, or doing away with the traffic light system completely.  I think a good first-step would be shifting the entire country from red to orange. Not just Auckland. The whole country. Vaccine passes are voluntary from midnight tonight. Vaccine mandates are pretty much gone too – except for some areas in the public and health sectors. Omicron seems to have peaked – although Canterbury's the current hotspot, apparently. The hospitality sector wants a shift from Red to Orange. Other parts of the business sector do too. Even Professor Michael Baker from the Otago Medical School is saying he thinks the traffic light system needs to be “reinvented into something more meaningful”. They're his words not mine. He's saying today that the changes to the traffic light system the Government made recently are too “murky”. Again, his words – not mine. But I think the most sensible thing I've heard about all of this today has come from Leeann Watson, who runs the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce. She's saying businesses are more than capable of making decisions to manage the risk of Covid-19 in their workplaces. Which indicates to me that she'd probably go for the second of the two options I mentioned earlier – doing away with the traffic light system altogether. I think that would be too much, too soon. For a couple of reasons. First, changing the setting from Red to Orange can pretty much be done with a stroke of the pen. A new Health Order (which is the paperwork the Director General of Health signs to make things like lockdowns happen) can be done in no time. My second reason for shifting the traffic light setting and not doing away with the system altogether, is based on some research that came out over the weekend about vaccine mandates, which found older people are more unhappy about vaccine mandates going than younger people. Which makes sense, because it's older people who are generally more at-risk from Covid. And so,...

Even after the government announced it was relaxing Covid restrictions on Wednesday, business leaders responded with a familiar call for more freedom. But looser restrictions haven't shored up their bottom line so far - and some businesses aren't comfortable with the dominant media narrative.

Even after the government announced it was relaxing Covid restrictions on Wednesday, business leaders responded with a familiar call for more freedom. But looser restrictions haven't shored up their bottom line so far - and some businesses aren't comfortable with the dominant media narrative.

Calls for the Government to drop all of New Zealand to the orange traffic light setting.Cabinet will be discussing the Covid-19 protection framework today, along with vaccine passes and mandates.But a decision isn't expected until Wednesday.Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking the restrictions are becoming redundant.“Red's certainly having a massive impact on the CBD, and certainly the weekend numbers suggest that we are on the other side of the peak, certainly across the country.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses still expect to feel under pressure in phase three of the Omicron response. Health officials will now primarily focus on managing high-risk contacts and locations of interest, like aged care homes.  Only cases and their household contacts must isolate for 10 days - with all other contacts expected to monitor for symptoms.  Canterbury Employers Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby the difference between phase 2 and 3 is minimal. “We're still going to see hundreds of thousands of people who will be self-isolating – only for ten days - and that will continue to have a significant impact on businesses' ability to actually operate.” LISTEN ABOVE 

Businesses still expect to feel under pressure in phase three of the Omicron response. Health officials will now primarily focus on managing high-risk contacts and locations of interest, like aged care homes.  Only cases and their household contacts must isolate for 10 days - with all other contacts expected to monitor for symptoms.  Canterbury Employers Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby the difference between phase 2 and 3 is minimal. “We're still going to see hundreds of thousands of people who will be self-isolating – only for ten days - and that will continue to have a significant impact on businesses' ability to actually operate.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The minimum wage increase is being described as a slap in the face to business.The lowest legal pay for workers will rise from $20 an hour to $21.20 from April.Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leann Watson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the six per cent increase in seven weeks is disappointing.“It comes at a time when many are really struggling under the current government restrictions and also facing significant drops in revenue. And we know that the cost of owning businesses is going through the roof with no end in sight.”LISTEN ABOVE

Pressure is mounting on the Government to alleviate stress in the entertainment industry, under the red traffic light settings.  The country's biggest one-day music festival - Electric Avenue - is off due to Covid-19.  Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they're advocating for subsidies to get the industry up and running.  She says the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme doesn't cover losses for businesses further down the supply chain. “I think if they Government are going to continue to focus on restrictions, it really reinforces the need for them to put in place that targeted financial support.” Thousands have signed a petition demanding support payments for workers in the entertainment industry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to alleviate stress in the entertainment industry, under the red traffic light settings.  The country's biggest one-day music festival - Electric Avenue - is off due to Covid-19.  Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they're advocating for subsidies to get the industry up and running.  She says the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme doesn't cover losses for businesses further down the supply chain. “I think if they Government are going to continue to focus on restrictions, it really reinforces the need for them to put in place that targeted financial support.” Thousands have signed a petition demanding support payments for workers in the entertainment industry. LISTEN ABOVE 

It's all go for the Covid-19 Protection Framework -- better known as the traffic light system -- which will begin flashing its colours from this Friday. Checking vaccine passes may be the most straightforward part of it, though, as businesses grapple with various complexities. Chief executives of two of the country's biggest business umbrella groups, Leeann Watson from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and Viv Beck from Auckland's Heart of the City spoke with Corin Dann.

It's all go for the Covid-19 Protection Framework -- better known as the traffic light system -- which will begin flashing its colours from this Friday. Checking vaccine passes may be the most straightforward part of it, though, as businesses grapple with various complexities. Chief executives of two of the country's biggest business umbrella groups, Leeann Watson from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and Viv Beck from Auckland's Heart of the City spoke with Corin Dann.

Business leaders say while quarantine-free travel for South Islanders to Australia is encouraging, it'll have little impact without the arrangement being a two-way street. From Wednesday, travellers from Te Waipounamu won't have to face a 14-day stint in quarantine when landing in Australia. They'll still have to join the queues for MIQ to return to New Zealand. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson spoke to Morning Report.

Business leaders say while quarantine-free travel for South Islanders to Australia is encouraging, it'll have little impact without the arrangement being a two-way street. From Wednesday, travellers from Te Waipounamu won't have to face a 14-day stint in quarantine when landing in Australia. They'll still have to join the queues for MIQ to return to New Zealand. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson spoke to Morning Report.

Applications open next week for the government's home self-isolation pilot. 150 spots are available for businesses wanting to send staff on overseas trips, and cellphone facial and fingerprint recognition will be used to ensure people stay home while they isolate. Business leaders are welcoming the pilot, but say many sectors are crippled by skill shortages, and they want a clear plan from government on the pathway forward. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Leeann Watson.

Applications open next week for the government's home self-isolation pilot. 150 spots are available for businesses wanting to send staff on overseas trips, and cellphone facial and fingerprint recognition will be used to ensure people stay home while they isolate. Business leaders are welcoming the pilot, but say many sectors are crippled by skill shortages, and they want a clear plan from government on the pathway forward. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Leeann Watson.

No Covid-19 cases have been found in the South Island - but it is staying in level 4 lockdown until Tuesday. After that it will still not be business as usual. Level three remains, as there were many contacts of the Delta outbreak in the South Island. Level 3 means takeaways, coffees and slightly expanded bubbles but not much more. Leeann Watson's the Chief Executive of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce. She talks to Lisa Owen.  

South Island businesses are disappointed to remain in Alert Level 4 for the next four days, yet hopeful of going down to Level 3.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today that all of New Zealand would move down an alert level after Tuesday midnight, excluding Auckland and Northland which are likely to remain at Level 4 for a fortnight after that.Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson said the nationwide extension of Alert Level 4 until August 31 was disappointing, but she was satisfied to get the confirmation that most of New Zealand would likely move down a level after that."Many of the businesses we have been talking to had been hoping to move down a level today, so they can either operate tomorrow or put plans in place for Monday, as we know that at alert level 3, 90 per cent of businesses will be able to operate and do so safely."We also know that in lockdown Treasury has forecast it to cost the country $1.45b per week - and that's just the economic impact, not to mention the emotional toll on many people," Watson said.The ongoing lockdowns cannot be part of our long-term future, and accelerating the vaccination programme was crucial, she said.Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said many restaurant owners were expecting to move to Alert Level 3 on the weekend and extension until Tuesday would be disappointing to them."We urge all of those hospitality businesses that are doing it hard right now, to stay strong and seek out help," she said.Although the recent feedback from association members showed the majority of them supported the level 4 lockdown, 75 per cent wouldn't be financially viable after two weeks at this level, Bidois said.Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois. Photo / Supplied"Equally, we have heard from several members that they had only just made their final repayments on loans from the 2020 lockdowns, so they're devastated they're back in that position of starting the process again."Most people will understand just how challenging level 4 is for any industry that can't work from home. For businesses owners, it means no revenue at all which is very stressful when you have bills to pay.Many hospitality workers were also being affected of isolation of being at home unable to work, she said.

From not enough water, to way too much. Canterbury farmers will be feeling the sharp impacts from this storm.Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby the impacts need to be considered from both a business and social perspective.“Right across our community this very much felt, so, the community will wrap the support around them. We need to look at what sort of support might be available elsewhere from the government while we actually understand the full impact.”She said the region's become quite resilient over the past decade."And I think we've seen our community across the rural sector come out in droves to once again reach out and support those who have been impacted."LISTEN ABOVE

Welcome to The Pivot Pod, where we'll figure out together what's next for small business. Hosted by Frances Cook, with a new expert on each episode.The Covid-19 crisis came out of nowhere, and has changed everything about how we live and do business. But this sort of situation isn't entirely unprecedented – indeed part of New Zealand has gone through something with key similarities. When the Christchurch earthquakes struck in 2011, the area faced two tragedies; one to deal with the dead and injured, the other to figure out how to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, in a dramatically changed city. So what did they learn then about adapting in the face of difficulty? On the latest Pivot Pod I spoke to Leeann Watson, chief executive of Canterbury employers chamber of commerce. We discussed the similarities and differences between the quake and Covid-19 impacts, strategies that helped business get through the quakes, and why hoping that life will go back to normal is doomed to fail. If you have a question about this podcast, or question you'd like answered in the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookJournalist/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/francescooknz/ and Twitter here https://twitter.com/FrancesCookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.