This year, spending in, and supporting local will be key to help shape the community we want to live in, writes PBA General Manager Cheryl Adamson for The Post.
OPINION: Unless you’ve been living under a rock this year, you’ll probably be aware things aren’t quite normal, both in New Zealand and overseas. Many of us are on edge and uncertain about what the future holds for us and future generations. This isn’t the first time we’ve faced economic uncertainty, and it won’t be the last.
The statistics suggest that as we brace for what’s ahead, we’re taking a cautious approach to spending, both individually and nationally.
According to the most recent Retail NZ survey, as we navigate these turbulent times, local businesses are seeing things right now with a sense of quiet, restrained optimism. Even though 57% of retailers missed their Q1 targets, 73% remain optimistic about the year ahead. As we try to regain some of our consumer spending power, it’s important we all look to stop and consider how, when and where we spend. The convenience of e-commerce is undeniable, yet platforms like Temu and Shein come at a cost for our hard-working local businesses, especially as geopolitical tensions mean their presence could grow in New Zealand. With Temu having been used by at least 25% of New Zealand, its ultra-low pricing model puts pressure not just on local retailers, but also on ethical supply chains and postal infrastructure.
While affordable alternatives are tempting, local businesses bring more to the table, offering more value that an overseas package simply cannot. Businesses such as The Fantail House in Parnell offer the opportunity to connect with a large selection of artisan-made products before they’re bought and create a genuine retail experience, allowing consumers to understand stories of provenance.
For our locals, local sourcing and pride in supporting New Zealand are core to generating revenue.
This has resonated with the return of cruise passengers, who have both added enormous vibrancy to our town centres and the wealth to match it, particularly our American counterparts. Worryingly, in addition to a potential decline in tourism as the local economy shifts, or swings away from certain nationalities, there is a very sharp drop in forecast cruise bookings, over 40% lower than our bumper 2023/24 season. This is due to several New Zealand compliance factors and has many in the industry deeply concerned about the future. Our time has come to redefine ‘local’ not only to be about our immediate community, but also about New Zealand as a whole.
It’s important to note that supporting NZ-made can be simple and inexpensive, or in some cases, completely free. For most of us, even as times are tight, there is always a desire to have some discretionary cash to spend, whether it’s for a special occasion or a reward for getting through the week. Now is a better time than ever to make this spending local, even if it’s just a coffee or heading to the family-owned fruit shop instead of the supermarket.
While price matters, what makes local shopping special is the genuine human touch; the familiar faces at our bookshops, the chats at our favourite cafés and the service provided at the local pub. Every time we visit, we take on the possibility that we may run into an old friend, an acquaintance, or even, on occasion, our local MP. Local businesses offer more than goods—they create shared spaces where we connect, just like our libraries, museums, and galleries. When we spend locally, the simple conversations we have while doing so maintain our sense of belonging.
Supporting local is also a matter of national pride—it’s inherently parochial. Walking through any town centre, we all notice the ‘for lease’ signs, and in worst-case scenarios, a sense that things are not what they used to be. Each empty shop-front has its own story of rising costs, shifting habits, and the uphill battle faced by independent operators, evidently seen in hospitality closures. But they also serve as a call to action. Choosing local isn’t just about where we spend our money; it’s about investing in the creation of vibrant and connected communities that are uniquely ours.
As we head into our local elections this year, these vital aspects should be held front of mind. Local businesses aren’t just economic engines, they shape the values and connections we want to protect for the benefit of all. They are also often our employers, our sports team sponsors and central to the collective character of our neighbourhoods.
This year, both your vote, and your wallet, will be key to help shape the community you want to live in.
This opinion piece was first written by Cheryl Adamson for The Post. Click here to read the original article.
