The submission supported the intent of improving transparency in business payment practices, but raised concerns that the proposed regime could create unintended consequences for cooperatives and their members. It recommended refining the coverage and reporting requirements to better target third-party payments and reduce unnecessary duplication and compliance costs. 

The World Cooperative Monitor 2022 provides a global benchmark of the world’s largest cooperatives and mutuals, offering insight into their economic contribution, sectoral spread, and geographic reach. 

An examination of Māori representation in the governance of New Zealand’s agricultural cooperatives, exploring whether growing Māori economic contribution is reflected in board-level decision-making and what this means for the future of cooperative leadership.

Cooperatives are increasingly recognised for their role in advancing sustainable development. This study provides New Zealand-specific evidence that contributes to global discussions about how different business models support the SDGs.

Pareto Toolbox’s Chris Harrop on why project portfolio management and governance matter for co-operatives navigating digital change and supply chain risk.

Centrix Managing Director Keith McLaughlin on why credit reports matter for co-operatives, from cash flow protection to risk management.

NZ Truffle Co-operative CEO Lindsay Esler on building scale for a long-cycle crop and practical lessons for new co-op founders.

The 2021 Annual Awards were celebrated as an online event. Announcing the winners and recipients of Enduring Service Awards.

ProCare Chair Dr Harley Aish on how a GP-owned health co-operative supports 160 practices, 800,000 patients and frontline care through Covid.

Ruralco CEO Rob Sharkie on keeping a 60-year-old agri co-operative relevant, navigating Covid as an essential service, and planning for 2035.

Mitre 10’s Grant Fraser on embedding sustainability in a nationwide co-op, from store level champions to circular packaging and climate targets. 

MG Marketing CEO Peter Hendry on leading a major horticulture co-op through Covid, succession and labour pressures while keeping 700 growers engaged. 

The submission encouraged the Commerce Commission to consider the distinct characteristics of cooperative enterprises when finalising recommendations, and to recognise the role cooperatives play in supporting competition, community outcomes, and long-term economic resilience. 

The New Zealand Cooperative Economy Report 2021 provides a critical comparative baseline, capturing the structure and scale of the cooperative economy during a period of significant economic disruption and change.

The briefing sought to broaden the Commission’s analytical lens by incorporating cooperative and mutual enterprises into discussions of productivity and frontier firm performance. It also encouraged deeper engagement with international cooperative standards and New Zealand’s own cooperative history. 

The briefing aimed to support early dialogue between government and the cooperative sector, and to highlight how cooperative and mutual businesses could contribute to economic recovery, resilience, and long-term wellbeing. 

Collective action is fundamental to the cooperative model. This research adds depth to international debates by analysing how internal diversity affects participation, trust, and governance outcomes within cooperatives. 

Legal frameworks shape how cooperatives form, govern themselves, and access capital. This report is a key reference document for understanding how New Zealand’s cooperative legislation compares internationally and where opportunities for reform may exist. 

The submission supported renewal of the Small Cooperatives Exemption Notice and recommended deferring substantive changes to allow for fuller consultation. It emphasised that exemptions play a critical role in enabling cooperative formation while preserving investor protections appropriate to member-owned enterprises. 

Founded in 2017, Ion Technologies is a Bay of Islands-based worker co-op technology company that specialises in delivering a wide range of services including developing data dashboards that help businesses see how they are performing at a glance as well as creating mobile apps.