Plea to PM: Move to level 1 now

A business restructuring expert has called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to immediately announce Covid-19 alert level 1, to avoid “unjustifiable” business failures and job losses.

KordaMentha partner and restructuring specialist Grant Graham says New Zealand businesses cannot wait further weeks with minimal Covid-19 cases “knowing that the cost will not only be extreme but unjustifiable”.

In a rare move, he took to social media to say he is dealing with people under “incredible pressure that grows day by day”.

“We will simply not find replacement jobs and looking

Please PM, do not tell us in 2021 that the top tax rate must be increased to solve this unjustifiable delay.

ahead, please PM, do not tell us in 2021 that the top tax rate must be increased to solve this unjustifiable delay.

”Show us you believe in our recovery, don’t wait for things that just aren’t there. Announce level 1 immediately.

“Our PM who has done a great job in restricting the virus now suggests we should wait another month (22 June earliest) to move to a point (level 1 where business owners have a realistic chance to again control their own destiny.)

“These people I deal with are not stupid. They, like all of us, see the Covid numbers daily. Nil is nil,” said Graham.

“They know that as long as Dr Ashley [Bloomfield] has control of the clusters, and the PM has the borders, the risk is far, far less, than the pressures they now face trying to reignite stalled or failing businesses.

“Frankly does anyone still not think we need to get on with this?

“We cannot wait further weeks with minimal cases knowing that the cost will not only be extreme but unjustifiable.”

Grant Graham, KordaMentha