The SME Stream

Stock markets across the US have taken a significant hit over concerns about the negative economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. After the President refused to rule out a recession, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7 percent, the Nasdaq fell 4 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says US markets have a right to be worried...

Some changes to the Government's procurement rule book are being welcomed.  Currently, there are 71 rules a business must follow to be awarded a government contract, but the Finance Minister is bringing that down to 47.   It's also introducing a new economic benefit test which will consider the wider benefit to New Zealand when awarding contracts to Kiwi firms.  Wellington Chamber o...

The Government’s focus on economic growth and foreign investment is back in the spotlight this week. Later this week, the much-anticipated Investment Summit will take place in Auckland. Businesses from over 14 countries, with six trillion dollars of capital, will be in attendance across Thursday and Friday, with Government Ministers and Labour representatives in attendance. It comes at a cri...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  KiwiSaver funds have returned between 4-10% on average over 10 years. What investment opportunities are funds eyeing next, and should we expect fees to fall or rise as a result? The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not...

New Zealand is hoping for an economic reprieve - but experts warn that's less likely to happen this year. Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency has generated plenty of economic concern, with many worried it could contribute to the ongoing downturn. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, n...

Amanda Morrall joins to discuss how you can stabilise your finances in the midst of an economy in turmoil. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the conten...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  Cybersecurity is a booming industry but not for good reason. The former head of the UK & Australia's National Cyber Security Centres discuss the threat to economies and how AI could worsen cyber warfare. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed...

Emily Owens has grim personal experience of adversity and financial insecurity – from sleeping in her car, feeling trapped by domestic violence, and becoming a widowed single mother at age 20 when her son was just 5 weeks old. But she’s channelled that experience into a meaningful career focused on helping others make good financial decisions. She shared her story of survival and findi...

Equity markets across the world have taken a dive - and one expert has explained the sudden drop. Donald Trump's tariff threat and collective concerns about the administration's new Department of Government Efficiency have sparked aversion among experts. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not f...

An urge for Kiwis to not worry about market impacts from Donald Trump's tariffs on their KiwiSaver.  The US President's slapped import levies on Canada, China, and Mexico, and has signalled more for other countries.  Trump says he's spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over easing tariffs on the auto sector.  But Milford Asset Management head of KiwiSaver Murray Harris...

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. In this weekly wrap, a shock resignation from our Reserve Bank Governor, the trade war continues to escalate in the US, so what...

New Zealand is not stranger to tectonic shifts, perched as it is on a volcanic belt, but the current geopolitical quakes may prove an entirely different matter. The University of Waikato's Dr Reuben Steff joins the podcast to argue that without joining the high tech-focused pillar two of the Australia, UK and US (AUKUS) agreement, NZ may find themselves at a major disadvantage in the new worl...

The Trade Minister says he's taking potential disruption to trade very seriously.   US President Donald Trump has sent stocks tumbling across the world after lumping tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, who are promising retaliation. Todd McClay says it'll directly affect New Zealand companies in those countries - such as Fisher and Paykel in Mexico. He says it could move us even closer to Ch...

It's a big week for the New Zealand stock market, and one expert is taking a look at the highest performers. As results reporting continues, some companies are bringing in more for investors than others. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. A...

One expert has delivered a grim outlook for share markets around the world.  Stocks have tumbled after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says markets surged after the election with thoughts that Trump might promote growth.  He says there might not be a quick fix for the issue.  "I suspect it's goi...

In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury’s Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what’s happening on the business front.  They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general...

The coalition Government wants more homes to be built cheaper and faster, yet official data shows an annual 7.2 percent drop in the sector. New data from Stats NZ shows that in the year ended January 2025, there were 33,812 new homes consented, down 7.2 percent compared with the year ended January 2024. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the&n...

Economists are outlining their predictions as Australia prepares to release a GDP update tomorrow. The Australian economy is predicted to have grown faster over the December quarter, but the effect of inflation still linger. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professi...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE]  US tech behemoth Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to open a data centre in New Zealand and has acquired more land to expand. Its head of NZ explains if its bet is paying off, and how she got Satya Nadella on side. [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE ]  US tech behemoth Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to open a data centre in New Zealand and has acquired more land t...

A recent report found that women lag behind men in investment property ownership, despite a fairly even result for owner-occupied homes.  Nichole Lewis joins to discuss why the numbers are so off, and how you can start from zero.  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed...

Today’s episode is for anyone who’s looked at the price of houses in this country and felt a bit depressed - for many, it seems like that particular dream out of reach, so why bother trying? While housing is expensive, there are other ways to get onto the housing ladder – but there’s a fair bit you need to know to ensure it doesn’t go pear-shaped.  To help everyo...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE ] Some of our largest companies are cutting costs to survive as investors shatter their stock. Equities analyst Aaron Ibbotson assesses the earnings season damage. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its relate...

Home ownership rates among women have gone up, but there's concern financial barriers are holding them back from investment properties. The latest edition of CoreLogic’s Women & Property Report shows that 23 percent of women had sole ownership of a property compared to 20.9 percent for men, with mixed-gender ownership accounting for 56 percent. CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin D...

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. In this weekly wrap, some big news for the retail sector with confidence and sales up, and more powers to apprehend thieves, tou...

Bitcoin advocate Cody Ellingham joins the podcast to explain why we he is advocating for everyone, everywhere to get Ellingham explains his vision for how Bitcoin could put people's financial power back into their hands, rather than under the control of financial institutions and governments. Plus, we talk AI language Gibberlink and Apple's $500 billion promise to Trump. Subscribe on   iHeart...