The SME Stream

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A top economist advises thinking about working from home to save fuel. Iran's maintaining its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz - retaliating to the continued bombing assault by the US and Israel. It's led Sri Lanka to move to a four-day working week from tomorrow.  Westpac economist Kelly Eckhold says unless things change quickly, something will have to be done within the next three weeks.&n...

The economic impact of property investors is being quantified for the first time.  A report commissioned by the Property Investors Federation estimates the sector added $24.8 billion to GDP last year.  It also links investors to about 126 thousand jobs nationwide – about 5% of the workforce.  Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Mike Hosking the lack of data has been damaging to th...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has emphasised there’s a range of scenarios for inflation amidst the global oil crisis – not just the worst-case scenario of 3.7% outlined yesterday.  “We don't know what's going to happen with factors that are outside of our control,” she told Mike Hosking.  “We don't know how long the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed. We don...

There's hopes the war in Iran doesn't reverse gains in our retail sector by making shipping more expensive.  Stats NZ data shows back-to-back increases in electronic card spending for January and February.  Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young says it's not happened in a long time.  She says it would be a shame if the conflict dampens the upward trend. "Let's hope it's a short, s...

Westpac Chief economist Kelly Eckhold tells Herald NOW that NZ's long-awaited economic recovery is delayed, but not cancelled as Iran conflict continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treasury has released numbers on the potential fallout for the New Zealand economy from the Iran war. It estimates that under a worst‑case scenario — a conflict lasting until the end of the year with elevated oil prices — inflation would rise from 3.1 percent to 3.7 percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says that number is too high - but is lower than Australia's current inflation -...

The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week and there's concerns about what it could do to the markets. Iran's still restricting movement through the shipping strategic choke-point as part of its retaliation for the relentless bombing by the US and Israel. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From April 1st, the KiwiSaver minimum default contribution rate will move up to 3.5%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re old enough, then you’ll remember there was a time when every Kiwi household had to pick a weekday where they wouldn’t drive. Carless Days were introduced in 1979 as an attempt to reduce petrol consumption amid a global oil shock thanks to the Iranian Revolution. The scheme was short lived – it was scrapped in 1980, after it achieved only a minimal reduction in pet...

In this episode, I break down why most entrepreneurs struggle with inconsistent sales - their audience simply doesn’t remember their brand when it’s time to buy. I explain how brand memory works, the mistakes that make your brand forgettable, and the five pillars that make you instantly recognisable and top‑of‑mind when customers are ready to purchase. 👉🏼 https://www.makeithappen.org...

The Government admits its walking a fine line between being prepared and causing panic.  It's considering a raft of possible measures like car-less days, limits on petrol sales, and the introduction of fuel coupons if oil prices continue to rise.  Iran's threatening to keep the critical Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking New Zealand'...

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, Pressure is on the global economy as the Middle East conflict continues, so can we continue to weather the storm?...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Ryan Bridge to share the government's position.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former finance minister, Steven Joyce, joins Ryan to talk through the implications of the war in the Middle east on NZ's economic recovery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arable farmer, David Birkett says the industry is already suffering skyrocketing prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing affordability in New Zealand has improved to its best level in almost a decade, according to new data from Cotality.  Lower property values, rising wages and easing mortgage rates have helped reduce pressure on buyers.  Cotality NZ’s Housing Affordability report, covering Q4 in 2025, shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2 – the lowest level since a brief...

Stock markets have rebounded and oil prices have dropped below yesterday's forecast, following recent comments from US President Donald Trump. Trump indicated the war in the Middle East could be over 'very soon', and it's led to ripple effects across sharemarkets all over the world. Matt Goodson from Salt Funds Management says it's unclear if the US can walk away from this conflict or if the Strai...

The Government is actively monitoring the impact international fuel prices are having on the price we're being asked to pay at the pump.  Crude oil prices have topped US$100 a barrel for the first time in three years, and our petrol prices surged another 14 cents in the weekend.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking that they’re conscious that the price at the pump impa...

Garth Bray joins Ryan with today's business update thanks to Forsyth Barr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some positive signs from international markets overnight.  American and European markets tumbled on Friday due to ongoing concerns about the Middle East conflict.  Asia-Pacific markets followed suit yesterday, with the NZX 50 dropping 3.1%.  Craigs Investment Partners Investment Director Mark Lister told Mike Hosking trading overnight has been more subdued.  He says oil prices...

There's growing concerns about the economic impacts of the war in Iran. Crude oil prices have topped $100 US dollars a barrel for the first time since 2022 - and our petrol prices surged another 14 cents over the weekend. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says these attacks are directly impacting key fuel sources, which has got economists worried about future prices. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

New builds and townhouses alike have become the best option for first home buyers looking to get into the market.  Townhouses offer a lower-cost alternative to standalone homes without having to fully commit to apartment living, and new builds often mean low-deposit loans and easier access for first home buyers.  Problem is, the boom of new build townhouses is quickly slowing down - they...

When news of events like the war in Iran hit share markets – everyday investors often act on instinct, but what do professional investors do? This week, Nadine is joined by Sam Dickie, a senior portfolio manager at Fisher Funds. Together they talk through what happens to investing when the world is on fire. The Prosperity Project is now available on video! Watch no on nzherald.co.nz or YouTu...

Many Fonterra dairy farmers are planning to invest their upcoming capital return back into their farms. The dairy co-op's been given the green light by regulators to sell its consumer brands to France dairy giant Lactalis for $4.22 billion. Farmers will get back two-dollars a share, possibly by the middle of next month. Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking that farm...