A pre-election survey has identified the skilled labour shortage as the key election issue for business, ahead of tax cuts or transport worries.
The Business New Zealand election survey canvassed the views of over 1,000 businesses of all shapes and sizes across the country.
It found that difficulties in finding skilled staff, concerns about the level and effectiveness of government spending, and worries about secure electricity supplies were at the forefront of businesses' minds.
These outweighed other issues such as roading, employment law, free trade deals and tax.
The survey results were revealed as politicians fronted up to Business New Zealand, the country's largest business group, in a bid for votes.
Other than the Maori and Progressive parties, every parliamentary political party was represented.
Spokespeople outlined their party's vision for business and the economy to the 100-strong audience representing the many faces of business, big and small.
See related video for more on the Business NZ pre-election forum...
