The Employers and Manufacturers Association says Auckland businesses are feeling beaten up, after months of bad weather, high costs, soaring interest rates and flagging sales.
It's symptomatic of a slowdown which has tipped the economy into recession after two quarters of negative growth.
In Christchurch by contrast, the latest survey by the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce shows 78% of members are upbeat, while those expecting the economy to worsen over the coming year has dropped, from 48% in the December quarter, to 39% now.
Allan McDonald, Head of Advocacy and Strategy for the Employers and Manufacturers Association, and Leeann Watson, the Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
