As reported by Scoop Business, the results of the latest CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Insights survey reveal some worrying stats around the growth of Kiwi businesses.

New Zealand small businesses rank last out of 11 Asia-Pacific markets for growth for the second consecutive year.

Only 38% reported growth in 2025, compared with an Asia-Pacific average of 62.5%.

Two-thirds of owners are aged over 50 – the oldest profile in the region and just 5% plan to innovate in 2026

5 ways to grow your Kiwi small business

If you’re worried about the growth potential of your NZ small business, don’t worry. We’ve highlighted five ways you can focus on growth, while coping with the prevailing economic and market challenges we’re all facing.

1. Kickstart your digital transformation and AI adoption

There’s no denying the importance of being up to speed with digital technology and AI. Now is the time to invest in evolving technologies, like AI and e-commerce. Going digital helps make your operations more efficient and unlocks new revenue streams, funding your growth.

2. Target more export markets

A world of potential export markets exists outside of Aotearoa. You can quickly diversify your revenue streams by expanding into other international markets. Reducing your reliance on the domestic economy helps mitigate the impact of reduced local demand. And with an international focus, your growth becomes more stable and less reliant on the NZ market.

3. Up your financial management game

Being on top of cashflow, revenues and your projected margins is a must in the current tough economic climate. Use data-driven forecasting to get that forward-looking view of your finances. Forecasting and cash projections help to strengthen your cashflow management, making the business more resilient and freeing up the necessary capital to invest in growth.

4. Get innovative with your product design and service delivery

In a tough market, it’s vital for your products and/or services to stand out. Introduce new products or services to differentiate your brand from near competitors. Innovation is a primary driver of growth in the survey, with a proactive approach to innovation helping businesses capture market share even when consumer spending is tight.

5. Focus on retaining your top talent

Your people are integral to your growth strategy, so having the best possible talent in your team is a must. Invest in upskilling your workforce and promoting a positive work culture within the company. High staff turnover can be costly, so it’s vital to have staff retention strategies in place to keep your most valuable talent engaged and motivated.

If it feels like your business growth has been on pause for too long, come talk to us.

Book some time with our team. We’ll run through your numbers, review the potential for new opportunities and will create a workable, data-driven growth strategy for your business.