getting the co-operative voice heard
advocacy and lobbying
coming together
A Collective Voice
New Zealand’s member-owned businesses contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and play a crucial role in ensuring a strong, local economy.
As an independent representative for these businesses, we engage with political decision-makers and Government officials to make sure the collective voice of our members is heard when legislative and regulative change is being considered.
reach out to us
Got something to submit?
Cooperative Business NZ is keen to hear from our members directly should you have any concerns or like to provide feedback to regulatory bodies regarding policy changes that impact your businesses and members.
Get in touch if you would like us:
- To put forward a submission on your behalf
- To endorse your own submissions
- Engage with our broader membership base on a particular issue. Given regulatory bodies will often consider change based on the groundswell and number of submissions, we can work with other members to also submit. There is always strength in numbers!
Key partnerships
A critical piece of the lobbying and advocacy puzzle. We work closely with industry partners including levy-funded agencies, the Institute of Directors, Business NZ and Business Chambers.
Established relationships
To ensure positive outcomes for all, we build relationships with Iwi, ministers, regional councils and government agencies.
Increasing awareness
We actively engage in speaking opportunities, delegations, panel discussions and media relations to ensure co-operative awareness continues to grow.
OUR LATEST CAMPAIGNS
Small Co-operatives Exemption Notice 2022: Now in force
In 2021, Cooperative Business NZ worked alongside our members to gather feedback and put forward a submission on the extension of the Small Co-operatives Exemption notice.
A major win with the FMA: Small Co-ops Exemption Scheme
We’re delighted to share the news with our members of the FMA’s in principle decision on this scheme.
Could Fonterra’s business model solve the housing crisis?
Co-operative housing could be a big part of the solution to our affordable housing problem, if government and the business community are ready to get on board. Read this article from Institute of Directors’ Boardroom magazine (Summer 2021-2022) on the co-operative housing model in New Zealand.
looking ahead
Long-Term Projects
Cooperative Business NZ believes an inquiry needs to be established to examine the contribution member-owned businesses make to the New Zealand economy and what more can be done to help the sector grow.
We have kick-started this off with the September 2021 release of The New Zealand Co-operative Economy Report and will continue to advocate for more action in this area going forward.
A similar inquiry held in Australia in 2014 highlighted the importance of the sector and made recommendations aimed at helping co-operatives grow and reach their potential.
OUR SUBMISSIONS
We regularly submit on relevant legislation and consultation documents, usually with direct input, feedback and insights from our members.