The SME Stream

The Finance Minister says these increasing fuel prices will be tough on Kiwis as the Middle East conflict continues on. Fuel supplies remain stable with the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, but petrol and diesel prices have continued to surge. US President Donald Trump's threatening to obliterate all Iran's bridges and power infrastructure - if Iran doesn't do what he wants by tomorrow. Nicola Will...

Labour’s trade spokesperson talks about the Indian FTA, what’s going down in his old West Coast - Tasman electorate, and why he defends the agricultural record of his last government (2020-23).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Monday market outlook with Aaron Ibbotson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest in business with Garth Bray, thanks to Forsyth Barr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A weaker dollar's helping commodity prices.   ANZ’s Commodity Price Index hit a record high in March, rising 6.4% as the dollar weakened 2.8%.  Global prices rose 4.1% – the second-highest monthly rise on record.  BusinessNZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking on the surface, higher prices look positive for exporters, but they're also facing much higher costs.   Sh...

After pretty much telling us to calm the farm over the fuel situation, I can’t believe the government is getting all antsy about its fuel tax increase - due to kick-in at the start of next year.  Yesterday, when Finance Minister Nicola Willis gave her regular fuel update, she said it is “very unlikely” that the Government will go ahead with the 12 percent-per-litre increase...

Diesel is soaring past four dollars a litre.  Z has issued a national price advisory for commercial customers showing the price of diesel jumping 55 cents a litre, putting the price at the pump at $4.16.  It says prices are based on what it'll cost to buy the next shipment from overseas, not what's already sitting in tanks.   Waitomo CEO Simon Parham told Mike Hosking it looks like...

The average sheep and beef farm is forecast to make double what they did last year - according to new projections.  The Mid-Season Update by Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service is forecasting an average profit before tax for 2025-26 of $287,600 per farm, following two difficult seasons for the sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

Is property investing actually dead? Investor Ilse Wolfe doesn’t think so, but she says the old way of doing it is. Isle joins Nadine to share her strategies for making property investment work in 2026. From surviving negative equity early on to building strong cashflow, Wolfe argues it’s still viable, if you’re willing to be active and rethink the playbook. See omnystudio.com/li...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been taking place for five weeks, and it's started to impact financial results. Data shows business confidence has plunged over the last month, airlines are cutting down projected results and retail and construction have taken a hti. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. 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 fuel crisis rages on so what are the plans to secure more stock? There are fears about what the c...

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 59, our guest is Lisa King, the inspirational founder of Eat My Lunch and more recently  alcohol free cocktail brand, Free AF. She was born in Hong Kong and moved to New Zealand at the age of two. Her hardworking parents instilled a passion for education and an enthusiasm for entrepreneurial flair. Lisa King didn’t waste that business oriented zest for...

New Zealand drivers are about to discover a whole new way of paying to use the roads – and for most, it will be a shock.  For decades, petrol and diesel motorists have funded the transport network through fuel excise quietly folded into every litre at the pump - currently a 70c tax.  Soon, that largely invisible tax will give way to something much more visible – paying per ki...

The financial year is coming to an end.  It means we’ll see a whole bunch of policies and adjustments from April 1.   Everything from crayfish catch limits and Pharmac funding to changes to the Living and Minimum wages.  Super annuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries are among those who will recei...

Think you don't have enough time to start a business? In this episode, I share the exact strategy I used to build a $3.5M business while juggling part-time jobs - and how my students are doing the same. It's not about finding more time. It's about using what you already have, smarter. Your future self will thank you for starting today. 👉🏼 https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 📲 Socials: https://www....

The Prime Minister ponders the state of the Indian FTA, the Middle East war, fuel restrictions and potential rationing, and his Cabinet reshuffle.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Herald CEO Pay Survey reveals the top paid CEO's in NZ. 8 out of 10 are dudes. Where are all the women? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions around Indian students and family of visa holders are still roadblocks to Labour supporting a trade deal with India.   New Zealand First's left its coalition partners in the lurch, rendering them dependent on Labour to ratify the agreement.  But leader Chris Hipkins says there's a mismatch between how the deal's been presented and what the text actually contains.  Damien O...

Sharon Zollner, ANZ Chief economist explains why business confidence has tanked so badly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB is facing a fine of around $6 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules.  Banks are required to do their due diligence with their money, in order to comply with existing legislation - but ASB hasn't followed the right systems.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's ugly, but New Zealand performed better than most. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Urban Planning senior lecturer, Tim Welch reveals why free public transport is better than $50 pay outs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"We’re yet to see the full impact of this conflict on the supply lines, and flow through to margins, prices and earnings." Garth Bray - 2 Degrees Wrap See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the word ‘crisis’ now comes talk about working from home. As oil prices rise and the cost of petrol surges towards $4 a litre, it’s been flagged as a potential voluntary measure in contingency plans. There’s been no direct government endorsement or mandate for working from home, but it’s been recognised as a possible fuel-saving step if the crisis worsens, alongs...

Independent economist and the chair of Transport NZ. What are we seeing across livestock transport? Plus, we look at the exchange and interest rates, inflation and the NZX50 down 7% in March. And what are the best and worst-case scenarios? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.