Clear guidance and incentives are needed to encourage international firms here to help deliver New Zealand's industrial potential, the head of one of the country's largest greenfield industrial and residential developments says.
Stephen Hughes, chief executive of the Drury South Crossing business park south of Auckland, said a "clear re-entry pathway into the country" is needed for multinational organisations wanting to set up or expand their New Zealand operations.
"This is one of the few times in our modern history where our geographic isolation is a clear competitive advantage and we are going to need more than international students and tourists to restart the economy."
With multinationals "queuing at the door" to develop new operations and jobs here, better consideration is needed as to how those visitors are treated as they come through the quarantine process, he said.
"Whilst this process is critical to protect Kiwis, a one-size-fits-all approach is not necessarily conducive to securing investments and jobs at the level the country needs."