The SME Stream

The US share market took a hit this week, with leading AI companies seeing a decline. Market darlings Palantir and chip behemoth Nvidia were among the big names that saw a drop. Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the p...

Those who are in work are taking more sick leave.  New research by Southern Cross Health Insurance and Business NZ has found an average staff member took almost seven days of sick leave last year, up 1.4 from two years earlier.  It's costing the country about $4 billion a year.  Business NZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking the rise in leave entitlements has had an im...

Assurance news of a rise in Kiwis calling in sick indicates a positive cultural shift.  A Business NZ and Southern Cross report shows workers are taking an average of 6.7 sick days a year, up from 5.5 in 2022.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge while it is a cost, most employers recognise it stops infections spreading.  McDonald...

A chance for New Zealand to lead change the world in ‘ethical investing’. As of last year, more than half a billion dollars of New Zealanders’ KiwiSaver and other retail investments were lent to countries on ‘high alert’ for human rights violations. The new paper from Motu Research urges fund managers and industry bodies to lift standards. But what does ‘ethical...

Unemployment has hopefully almost reached its peak. Latest Stats NZ data is expected to show unemployment has reached 5.3% in the September quarter. That's up from 5.2% in the June quarter. BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Andrew Dickens they expect another rise in the December quarter, before the job market starts to recover next year. He says there's still a bit of slog ahead of us, but there...

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  New research out of Australia has revealed the cost of unpaid labour - and it's sparked discussion and backlash. How much housework do we do? Is it more than our partners? Dame Noeline Taurua went out on multiple intervi...

New research out of Australia has revealed the cost of unpaid household labour - and it's a high figure not recognised in economics statistics. These tasks - including cooking, cleaning and caring for family members -are reportedly worth about A$688 billion, according to new reports.  Canberra University economics professor Leonora Risse says many of these tasks are essential services, and mo...

Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as the coach of the Silver Ferns in September due to 'significant issues' in the team. After many public statements and interviews, she was reinstated at the end of last month.  Netball NZ, her employer, remained just vague enough that the public could allow their imaginations to run wild about what had happened.  Andrew Bayly, MP for Port Waikato, resi...

Labour has introduced their Capital Gains Tax policy after it was leaked to the media last week.  If implemented, it would mean a 28% tax on any profits made from house sales excluding the family home.  So what would a tax like this do to the property and rental markets?  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or profess...

Bitcoin has cracked six figures in US dollars, but does all the hype mean it's a good investment.  Janine Granger, co-founder of Easy Crypto, joins Nadine to demystify the wild world of digital currency. From Bitcoin versus blockchain to meme coins, stablecoins, and the rise and fall of NFTs, they unpack what crypto really is, how it works, and how to invest without getting scammed (or losing...

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. This week, Labour unveils its capital gains tax policy but will it provide the boost our economy needs, business performanc...

Ever since the 1930s, when American soldiers were based all around the world, people in many countries have been antsy about foreigners getting what appears to them to be special treatment or privileges.  The phrase people used back in the day about the US soldiers was something along the lines of them being overdressed, overpaid, oversexed and over here.  And the Government seems to be...

Rocket Lab is on the brink of turning 20 – and what began as one man’s dream in an Invercargill garage is now a Nasdaq-listed global space business valued at over NZ$50 billion.  In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, Sir Peter Beck joins me from Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California, to reflect on the company’s remarkable two decades of innovatio...

Labour has announced what some are describing a “watered down” version of a Capital Gains Tax. This targeted CGT would affect profit made after July 2027 from selling a commercial or residential property, excluding the family home. Leader Chris Hipkins promises nine out of 10 Kiwis won’t pay tax on what they own, and it’ll allow everyone to get three free doctors visits a y...

Chris Hipkins is confident Labour's Capital Gains Tax policy can cover three free GP visits every year. The party's announced a policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  The revenue would go into health, and creating a Medicard scheme. The Labour leader says they've checked the numbers. "We've done them based on the indepe...

Early this morning, the Labour Party made a surprise Capital Gains Tax announcement. The targeted tax would raise funds for the health system, including three free doctors' visits per year. The tax wouldn't apply to the family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and personal items. Dentons Tax Partner Bruce Bernacchi told Kerre Woodham that, "people will call it a capita...

Governing parties have been quick to condemn Labour's proposed capital gains tax policy.  The opposition announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  It would funnel the revenue into health. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been quick to label this scheme as 'half-baked' - and it'll likely drive the count...

The rate Labour settled on for its capital gains tax policy is partially below the recommendation made by the tax working group six years ago. The proposed 28 percent rate would apply to commercial and investment properties from July 2027 - with the revenue going towards health system. Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale weighed up whether this proposal would bring in what Labour's promising....

It's been a tough couple of years for the economy, but there's hope things will pick up sooner rather than later. There's been an improved outlook on the NZX and NZME recently posted that it had upgraded its earnings forecast. Jeremy Hutton from Milford Asset Management explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or profe...

A former Labour leader says there'll be a sense a relief among many to see a new capital gains tax policy. Labour's announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  The revenue would go into health, creating a Medicard scheme providing free GP visits. Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge the OECD has been calling out New Zeal...

Malaysian company 'Yinson Renewables' is set to invest in a new pipeline of projects totalling one gigawatt of wind energy - almost doubling New Zealand's current capacity.  The $3billion investment would generate enough electricity to power 750,000 homes - exceeding Huntly's current output.  Head of Foreign Director Investment for Invest New Zealand Simon Ansley told Mike Hosking that t...

Belief that both employers and the Government need to up their game to ensure Kiwis are being hired before migrants.  The Immigration Minster's getting tougher on employers hiring more migrants than unemployed New Zealanders. Erica Stanford says employers will be stripped of the chance to recruit migrants if they're not looking closer to home. Business NZ Immigration Specialist Rachel Simpson...

Trusts are hardly mentioned outside of when wealth tax is in the news, or when someone mentions their accountant told them to get one. One side of the political aisle seems to have a good list of reasons as to why someone would need a trust, while the other side seems to be convinced that essentially the only reason anyone would have one would be to hide assets.  So what is the real purpose o...

Funerals have become one of the most expensive life events in New Zealand — and for families already stretched, the cost of saying goodbye can add real financial strain. Brent Ruru, founder of Everything Funeral , joins Nadine Higgins to share how Kiwis can plan meaningful farewells without the heavy price tag, and why simpler, more personal options are on the rise. If you have a question fo...

Are subscriptions quietly draining your bank account? In this episode of Make It Happen thanks to Uber One! , I reveal how I uncovered over $400 a month in forgotten subscriptions, and how you can do the same. You’ll learn why we fall into the “subscription trap,” the psychology companies use to keep us hooked, and my step-by-step system to audit your own accounts. By the end, yo...