New Zealand business owners recorded one of the biggest reductions in holidays last year, with employers working harder to support staff and reduce stress levels, according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report.

The construction sector is likely to be the foundation of healthy growth in the New Zealand economy over the next two years, with rebuilding after Christchurch's earthquakes only part of the lift.

We all know we perform better when we eat well, exercise and have enough sleep. But it doesn't stop there. Companies which encourage their employees to be healthy and fit also tend to have healthier workplaces.

The Weekly Overview is written by Tony Alexander. The views expressed are my own and do not purport to represent the views of the BNZ. This is the first Thursday of February and we are running our first Confidence Survey for 2012.