• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

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      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

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      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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GST figures show spending up in first half of 2020

Attention: This article was automatically translated and is still waiting on one of our editors to approve the translated content. 
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A 10 percent increase in the government’s GST returns this year is raising further questions about the huge uptake of the government’s $14 billion wage subsidy scheme.

Latest figures show total net GST paid by businesses to Inland Revenue increased by $1.184bn for the first seven months of the year.

There was a drop off in spending in April and May – GST returns were down 44 percent and then 11 percent compared to 2019 – but bounced back in June and July, up 60 percent and then 16 percent.

Auckland University accounting professor Jilnaught Wong has been critical of businesses that have taken the wage subsidy to pay dividends.

He said the wage subsidy was based on a decrease in revenue – but the GST returns showed many businesses had had an increase in revenue, with many people spending money that otherwise would have gone to overseas travel on New Zealand business.

“So that’s a wonderful thing for the economy because it’s creating economic activity in New Zealand, and that’s great.”

He questions the eligibility criteria for getting the money – which required a drop of 30 percent in revenue, as well as businesses drawing on their cash reserves, and took exception with Fulton Hogan, which recently paid a dividend after receiving the wage subsidy.

“While they may argue that they took the wage subsidy legally, I think morally it’s terrible, what a thing to do.”

Fulton Hogan has confirmed it has paid back just under $1 million of the more than $34m it claimed in wage subsidies but would not answer any questions about how that amount was decided on.

It said it intended to retain the remaining wage subsidy in line with the objective and criteria of the scheme.

Business New Zealand chief executive Kirk Hope said people should be careful about calling out specific businesses on the wage subsidy scheme – and that the GST returns were not necessarily an indication that more wage subsidies needed to be returned.

“I think it really comes down to the way in which individual businesses have been impacted – and that’s what the Ministry of Social Development will be looking at as well, whether those businesses were impacted in the way that they thought they might be.”

He said by and large, businesses had behaved well with the wage subsidy.

PWC tax partner Geof Nightingale said the GST numbers showed how well New Zealand’s economy had fared.

“It came crashing back in June – I think none of us expected that in March – so it became a timing rather than a permanent difference, which I think is a real sign of the success of the government’s response.”

He said the wage subsidy was a generous and urgent scheme, which was successful in its purpose to keep people in their jobs.

“Some businesses were absolutely ground to zero by Covid border closures – airlines, airports, tourism businesses, hospitality businesses.

“And other businesses experienced a surge in sales, so the aggregate GST picture doesn’t tell the whole story, it’s more complicated than that.”

The Ministry of Social Development is carrying out random and targeted audits of the more than 750,000 businesses which received wage subsidies.

Some 10,450 checks have taken place, with 867 cases referred for investigation.

To date, about $500m of the wage subsidy has been paid back by about 17,000 businesses. The vast majority of these repayments were initiated by businesses.

Source: RNZ News – www.rnz.co.nz

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