The SME Stream

Let's talk about something that is very crucial to our economy and that's the India Free Trade Deal. We are an exporter. We live because of what we export from the farms and in particular free trade deals help. So New Zealand's major exporters turned up the pressure on Parliament yesterday, urging all political parties to support the country's proposed free trade agreement with India. 28 exporters...

Retailers are on a “knife edge” deciding when to pass on increased costs to consumers.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking that retailers had been absorbing the immediate increase in import costs.  But domestically, 93% of freight was moved on New Zealand roads, with 98% of those trucks using diesel.  “Businesses can no longer absorb that. We've been tal...

Another bank is predicting an upcoming OCR raise.  ANZ has already picked three consecutive Official Cash Rate hikes in July, September, and October. Now Westpac says it's becoming more of a possibility next month - but is more likely in September.  Chief economist Kelly Eckhold says the Reserve Bank will work from specific indicators.  "They're looking for indications that the peak...

Chinese visitors are making a resurgence.  Latest Stats NZ data shows more than 408 thousand overseas tourists visited in February – an annual increase of more than 53 thousand.  Chinese visitors topped 61 thousand – the highest monthly figure since early 2018.  Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy told Mike Hosking Chinese New Year played a part, bu...

There's growing concern about the impact of the Middle East conflict, and at least one major bank has forecasted increases to the OCR. ANZ has revised its outlook, with forecasted increases to the OCR bringing rates up to 3 percent by October. Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says skyrocketing fuel prices will have a flow-on effect on the New Zealand economy - and it's likely inflation will...

Herald business commentator, Fran O'Sullivan on who needs what from the Singapore trade deal designed to kick in at crisis time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Lieutenant General Karen Gibson explains what could come next following failed peace talks with Iran over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investment strategist, Zoe Wallis with your monday markets update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are two sets of disruption impacting investments and the world economy. Andrew Bascand - Co CEO, Harbour Asset Management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global oil prices have shot up again, with Donald Trump gunning for authority over the Strait of Hormuz. The President's announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, after peace talks collapsed in Pakistan yesterday.  Despite the ceasefire, he's looking at resuming strikes.   Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Labour's leader is demanding clarity on spending commitments in the India free trade deal - and isn't sure whether the party will back it.  The deal lives or dies on Labour's decision, with Coalition party NZ First refusing support.  Chris Hipkins says he's concerned about a clause he claims requires Kiwi businesses to invest $30 billion in India over 15 years.  He says he wants to...

OCR hikes are now expected to come much faster.  Economists have been adjusting their forecasts after the Reserve Bank last week said it would take "decisive and timely" action if inflation continued to rise.  ANZ's gone from forecasting one increase in December to three consecutive increases in July, September, and October.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosk...

The country's largest bank is now forecasting three Official Cash Rate hikes before the election. ANZ is predicting three consecutive increases in July, September, and October - bringing the OCR from 2.25 percent to 3 percent. A week ago, most economists were expecting the central bank to keep the OCR on hold until December. But the Reserve Bank's hawkish tone is prompting most to change their for...

"Get your bingo cards ready to cross off “worried”, “watchful”, and “ready to act”, as we walk the tightrope between higher prices and faltering growth" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tide has well and truly turned.  We've had analysts forecasting a plateau for much of this year, with rates starting to turn upwards near the end of the year. One thing is for sure - we're not too likely to see the OCR go any lower than where it already stands.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hot topic on everyone's minds right now is the price of petrol and diesel.  It seems to be impacting the price of just about everything else, and we're staring down the barrel of a major risk of high inflation.  The OCR remains steady for now, but it's only a matter of time before interest rates are on the up once again.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Recent KiwiSaver changes were meant to strengthen the scheme, but one expert says they risk doing the opposite. Mary Holm joins Nadine Higgins to break down why cuts to government contributions hit low income earners hardest, and how current settings could deepen inequality over time. So who is KiwiSaver working for? Why are some workers are missing out on employer support altogether? And what are...

If the people closest to you think you're crazy for wanting to start a business, this episode is for you. I break down the real psychology behind why friends and family become your biggest critics when you start chasing something bigger, how to protect your mindset when the people you love doubt you the most, and the exact strategies I used to build a multi-million dollar business despite the nega...

The Prime Minister says the Government's still looking into how to get more fuel into the country. It's put 20-million dollars towards an extra diesel storage tank at Marsden Point, south of Whangārei. Chris Luxon says it will be built and completed in seven weeks. He says told Mike Hosking they're considering offers for extra diesel, to fill the new tank. Luxon says there are currently high level...

Building resilience in the country's supply chain is key for New Zealand to weather international instability - Kelvin Wickham, Ballance Agri-Nutrients See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister of Agriculture and Trade updates us on the Indian FTA, the prospect of more Trump tariffs on our lamb, and whether he would look forward to serving under Winston as a Prime Minister? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next level of AI is about to be released, and there are major concerns   The models just keep getting better and better and now Anthropic, the maker of Claude, says its software engineering capability is now so advanced that it's finding thousands of vulnerabilities in software that no one knew existed.   Anthropic says "the fallout for economies, public safety, and national security...

Proposed changes to the Holiday Act will change how leave is recorded and accrued See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major exporters are urging political leaders to urgently back a Free Trade Agreement with India, warning against “playing games” with access to one of the world’s largest and fastest‑growing markets. In an open letter released today, leading figures from New Zealand Inc. highlight the opportunity presented by India’s 1.4‑billion‑strong consumer base, which is expected to be...

2Degrees business wrap See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.