The SME Stream

Banks' forecasts of an economic contraction in the second quarter are probably right, independent economist Cameron Bagrie says.  ASB’s revised outlook shows the bank expects annual GDP growth of 1.3% this year, down from its previous forecast of 2.9%, thanks to higher fuel prices hitting consumer spending.  It expects the economy to contract by 0.3% in the second quarter and expan...

All signs are pointing towards inflation going up - as the Middle East conflict causes business confidence to plummet.  ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey shows most firms expect costs to increase as economic insecurity sets in.  Most anticipate they'll raise prices in the next three months. Retail and construction had the sharpest slides in confidence.  Auckland Business Chamber...

New Zealand’s fuel suppliers will be “substantially punished” legally and financially if they don’t live up to their word in supplying fuel, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.  Those international companies had asked for the current just-in-time supply model, and “rightly or wrongly I took them at their word”, Jones told Mike Hosking.  “...

Economic headwinds coming out of the Middle East could set back the labour market. The number of filled jobs across the country lifted 0.3% from January to February. But where public safety, healthcare, and education hiring improved in the past year, construction and manufacturing jobs slumped. Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking we're yet to see the impacts o...

The Government's looking at ways to keep hold of even more fuel than legally required.  Fuel stocks have risen as of last Wednesday, with 27.9 days of petrol, 21.7 of diesel and 25.3 of jet fuel in the country.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government's now exploring more options to guard against supply risks "We want to be prepared if the worst happens and they can't get enou...

KiwiSaver is undergoing some reforms, and former Mercury head Fraser Whineray is hoping to make it more competitive with Australia.  The new changes are set to kick in this week, with the default contribution rate for both employees and employers rising from 3 percent to 3.5 percent. Whineray explained how these changes will benefit Kiwis in the long run. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/liste...

Herald business commentator, Fran O'Sullivan - "Global trade grew by 6% last year but they're predicting it will slow to 1.9% this year." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The general manager of PGG Wrightson Wool says the current global economic challenges are weighing on a market that has performed well over the past two years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's support for an India Free Trade Agreement remains tentative as it digs through the details.   Leader Chris Hipkins has written to Trade Minister Todd McClay concerned the deal's contents don't line up with the version he's presented.   Hipkins is warning it would be recklessly irresponsible for McClay to sign onto it without majority backing across Parliament.   But Deputy...

Garth Bray joins Ryan with the latest in today's business news See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Brent crude oil price is on track for a record surge as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Oil prices have been climbing all month as a result of the conflict and experts have raised concerns. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, the kiwi dream has been to do whatever it takes to get onto the property ladder and work your way up from there, but some investors are moving away from that advice - instead suggesting that it might be a better idea to rent and put your money elsewhere.  It's not just the cost of the property and the mortgage repayments. You're paying to maintain the property in a way you wo...

Prices are going up.  Food prices are up, and will keep going up alongside fuel. Practically any goods that travel by land air or ocean to get to you will become increasingly unaffordable for the foreseeable future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, more than ever, it might seem like a good idea to invest in an electric vehicle, but does it make sense financially? Johnathan Sergel, the AA’s chief mobility officer, joins Nadine to dive into the costs involved with owning and running an EV, and how those costs compare to running a petrol vehicle. With rising fuel costs and EV sales surging, now's the time to do the maths and figure o...

Do you know exactly what you need to do but still can't make yourself do it? In this episode, I break down the real reason so many people stay stuck - and it's not laziness, lack of time, or not having the right plan. It's fear of success, and it's showing up as perfectionism, procrastination, and endless planning. I'll show you how to break the cycle for good with one simple shift. Stop planning....

The latest numbers, as at one week ago, there were 24 days of petrol and 18 days of diesel in the country.  Things are looking to worsen for the foreseeable future, although an uptick in public transport use and EV purchases point to people taking things into their own hands.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones announced the four-stage fuel plan in response to fuel supply concerns stemming from the war in Iran. Phase one of the plan focuses is on monitoring global developments, phase two would involve active co-ordination between the Government and industry, including supporting efforts to reduce demand, phase three and four,...

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,  fuel prices are still going up and supply is still going down - so do we have enough to keep going? There ar...

The bank sees a hole in economic growth in the middle of 2026 but remains hopeful of a recovery in the second half of the year says CEO Catherine McGrath. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s volatility echoes past conflicts like the Gulf War, when oil doubled. Ricky Ward from JBWere joins the show to disucss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Garth Bray joins Ryan with the latest in business news See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The private credit sector has given investors cause for concern. Questions have been raised about the sector's future amid a flood of redemption requests among some high-profile private credit funds. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour may still hand a lifeline to the Government's much-touted surcharge ban.  The policy was announced with much fanfare last year - with Minister Scott Simpson promising it would be in force by May.  But he now says the bill's on pause, after David Seymour confirmed ACT won't back it.  National's now hoping for Labour's support for it to pass, with the Opposition keen to see ame...

This week on The Business of Tech, I talk to Inspired Education founder Nadim Nsouli to explore a bold experiment in AI‑driven schooling that will reach Auckland primary students from 2027. Inspired Education operates seven ACG private primary schools in New Zealand, including five in Auckland, focusing on personalised learning. A new learning programme, Inspired Edge Academy, compresses the tradi...

Reserve Bank chief economist Paul Conway weighs in See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.