Mood of the Boardroom: Business leaders show backing for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sings the national anthem during his visit to the recaptured city of Izium. Photo / AP

CEOs strongly back the Government's support for war-torn Ukraine, but the question of whether Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should visit its president is a different matter.

Ardern revealed earlier this year she had declined an invitation from Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit his war-torn country, citing travel commitments.

Ardern was in Europe attending the Nato Summit and taking part in final talks in Brussels which led to the signing of the European free trade deal.

A suite of European leaders have visited Zelenskyy in Kyiv; also Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canada's Justin Trudeau and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A third of survey respondents felt she should still take up Zelenskyy's invitation.

"Arden should be doing so much more. Sitting on the fence on such a critical issue is not what we expect from an elected leader," said the CEO of a development firm.

"We are a free democratic society before everything else and need principle-based leadership and to stand up when things are not right."

Said Deloitte chair Thomas Pippos, "While I don't believe that it is critical that she do so, visibility around difficult issues is part of a PM's role."

The prevailing sentiment from some 46 per cent was that Ardern's job was here in New Zealand.

"New Zealand is at a tipping point in its economic and social history," said a gaming CEO.

"The Prime Minister's time would be better placed leading at home."

"It's not a priority," said experienced company chair Rob Campbell.

From a real estate boss: "She should be running our country — not trying to tell him what to do as he is doing an outstanding job considering the resources they have."

A further 23 per cent were unsure. "I am unsure what this will achieve and what the endgame is, apart from PR," commented a food and beverage exporter.

Where there is strong unanimity from business leaders on the support that New Zealand is giving to Ukraine. New Zealand has deployed a Hercules aircraft and Defence Force personnel to the UK to train Ukrainian recruits to be soldiers and gave $40 million in financial support.

New Zealand has also supported the US-led sanctioning of 840 Russian individuals and entities.

The impact of Russian sanctions has compelled companies to examine their counter-parties from a risk perspective.

Some, like Mainfreight, have diverted operations from Russia.

Some 88 per cent of survey respondents support the New Zealand effort on this score.

From Pippos: "NZ needs to appropriately participate in such matters and can't always be an observer or simply just comment."

Others, such as Grant Samuel's Michael Lorimer, felt New Zealand's contribution to Ukraine is still too timid.

"We could do more."

Others were concerned about whether the conflict might escalate.

"Nato provoked Russia by its steady move eastwards, despite promises not to do that," said a banker. "Ukraine is to Russia is what Cuba was to the US."

But the prevailing mood was that New Zealand had to give support. "Unquestionably.

Appeasement is feeding a crocodile and hoping he eats you last," said a property CEO.

From an aviation CEO, "We are a free democratic society before everything else."