Photo: RNZ/Calvin SamuelBy Susan Edmunds of RNZWe are only half-way through the first month of the year and already the business closures are mounting. "Businesses were saying 'oh, next quarter things are going to be much better'. "I think there's still a spate of business closures to come." "Two national businesses, 61 stores across the two businesses, have announced liquidations or closures in the first 10 days of the year... that shows how difficult it is for small and bigger businesses. She said the government could do more to ensure its settings were business-friendly and encourage people to buy from New Zealand businesses rather than offshore.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 15, 2026 19:12 UTC