The SME Stream

Kiwibank believes there’s no need to increase the Official Cash Rate just yet.  They believe the figure should be held at 2.25% when the Reserve Bank reviews it next week.  Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking that oil prices were a temporary shock and some of the fears around secondary inflationary pressures haven’t eventuated.  He told Mike Hosking th...

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. This week, does National’s new Kiwisaver policy fill enough gaps in the scheme? …. Another confidence knock to our job...

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.  In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Toni and Christina Sills to chat about the growth,...

Our relationship with China takes centre stage in Auckland this morning.   The 12th annual China Business Summit brings together business and political leaders to explore areas for cooperation amid deepening global uncertainty.  New Zealand exported nearly $20 billion worth of goods to China last year.   Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking polit...

Christchurch’s new stadium has put its stamp on the city, pumping $21 million into the economy in just 60 days.   One NZ Stadium was forecast to generate $50 million in a year.  The project was also completed six weeks early and $26 million under budget.  Venues Otautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare told Mike Hosking they’re absolutely flying – it’s...

New Zealand Rugby's adamant there was no choice but to reject rescue plans for the financially-strapped Moana Pasifika.  Moana is officially out of the 2027 Super Rugby season – although there is hope they will be back in the future.  The franchise fizzles out, owing millions on a loan from the Government through Sport New Zealand.  Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid told M...

There's been some flare-ups in the AI and chip sectors and experts have raised concerns. There's been drops on the Nasdaq and S&P 500, and investors are questioning the huge amount of spend on AI. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour isn’t the only party faced with a funding challenge related to the country’s pay equity regime. The three pay equity claims in the works relate to people who work for organisations partially funded by the Government - Plunket, Hospice and Bupa Aged Care. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

There’s optimism amongst the country's chief financial officers.   Employment Agency Hunter Campbell's Mood of the CFO survey has found 57% of businesses have met or exceeded their revenue targets.   But 45% are concerned the world economy is going to deteriorate.   That figure's twice as high as last year's survey.   Hunter Campbell Managing Partner Lee Marshall told And...

Almost all New Zealanders chose to not opt out of increasing their KiwiSaver payments. Minimum contributions increased from 3 percent in April to 3.5, although people could remain at 3 percent if they wished.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's important the Government set out their direction to increase contributions further." "Setting the direction out now makes it clear where we're g...

Stock traders across the UK are hoping the next Prime Minister will lead to some much-needed stability. Sir Keir Starmer has set out his plan to resign as UK Prime Minister and says a successor will be in place by Parliament's return in September at the latest.   It means Downing Street will welcome its seventh leader in a decade. Financial Times Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher told Ryan Bridge...

The Greens say they've 'had words' with one of the country's most well-known economists over a maths mistake in its tax policy. It's issued a correction, saying the policy released yesterday will increase net revenue $5.15 billion dollars in the 2027/28 financial year - not $5.35 billion.  Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says consultancy Infometrics - headed by Brad Olsen - had the job of anal...

A fresh push for a nationwide bed tax has been launched by Regional Tourism New Zealand.   Its proposal would see a small, user-pays tax for stays at hotels and Airbnbs, with the money going toward events and tourism infrastructure.   The plan has the backing of several mayors including those of Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown.   Regional Tourism New Zealand Chair Andrew Wilson Mik...

How do you start a business with no money, no mentor and no blueprint? In this episode I share the real story - where I started (promo girl, waitress, Uber driver), the very public failure that nearly broke me, and how that same business now turns over $10M+ a year. If you're feeling stuck, or sitting on a business idea you're too scared to start - this is your permission to go. Ready to take the...

Finance Minister, Nicola Willis joins the show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One major theme has emerged for this year’s election... money. Two parties at the weekend launched ideas to get the country’s finances in order and future-proof our economy for generations to come.  National held its annual party conference in high spirits, despite a polling support slide since the last election. They announced policy that would make KiwiSaver compulsory, raise mi...

A tax expert says the Greens' proposed approach to tackling corporate greed - is likely to be unpopular.  If elected, the party's promising to add new super rich, gifts and inheritance taxes, a major banks levy and a big tech tax.  It also wants to lift the corporate tax rate to 33 percent - for large companies like supermarkets, gentailers and banks.  PWC tax partner Sandy Lau shar...

There's no point talking about the latest loony bin tax plan grab from the Greens because it's not going to become anything more than a word doc on their website. It's not going to happen. An inheritance tax is about the cruellest thing a state can impose on a grieving family. 33% when mum or dad dies. You've got to then take out a loan from the bank, congratulations bank and pay the government. O...

Tell me something: does what’s just happened with the Golden Mile upgrade in Wellington restore your faith in the possibility that councils can actually be run properly? Because that thing - I don’t know if you’ve been following it over the years - but the Golden Mile upgrade has been an albatross around the necks of Wellington business owners and ratepayers since probably about...

Very shortly public voting will be underway for the Spark Retail NZ's People's Choice award. The People’s Choice Award recognises a retailer that has made a genuine, positive impact on its customers. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young said it's important to allow Kiwis to have a say in who they think deserves the award. Voting is open from Friday the 26th, and the awards ceremony will b...

As the election gets closer, parties are starting to release their policies. And after a slow start, keeping their cards close to their chest, Labour's building up steam. We already had the three free doctors visits for all, now we've got free maternity scans and a promise to scrap the $5 fee on prescriptions and make them universally free. Add that to the free public transport, well, up to a poin...

The Prime Minister's blasting the Greens' wealth tax, saying it would make Kiwis poorer and drive away investment. The party's proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million dollars, excluding the family home - alongside income tax cuts for people earning under %160,000 dollars. Chris Luxon says National's focused on growing the economy, while Labour has an 18-billion-dollar hole in its plans...

On the One Roof Radio Show Harcourts Managing Director Bryan Thomson joins Tim Beveridge to talk about how a Capital Gains Tax would affect the property market.  And The Opportunity Party proposed a land tax on urban residential properties, and Bryan isn't keen on the idea. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.   This week,  The latest GDP figures are labelled the calm before the storm, a deal has been struck between the US and Ira...

Our economy was well on the way to recovery, driven by a resurgence in manufacturing, before the fuel crisis hit.  Stats NZ data out today shows GDP rose 0.8% in both the quarter and year to March.  Equipment manufacturing, food production, accounting and businesses services, wholesale trade, and agriculture were all doing well.  But mining had a big drop, as well as residential and...