The SME Stream

A fresh push for a nationwide bed tax has been launched by Regional Tourism New Zealand.   Its proposal would see a small, user-pays tax for stays at hotels and Airbnbs, with the money going toward events and tourism infrastructure.   The plan has the backing of several mayors including those of Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown.   Regional Tourism New Zealand Chair Andrew Wilson Mik...

How do you start a business with no money, no mentor and no blueprint? In this episode I share the real story - where I started (promo girl, waitress, Uber driver), the very public failure that nearly broke me, and how that same business now turns over $10M+ a year. If you're feeling stuck, or sitting on a business idea you're too scared to start - this is your permission to go. Ready to take the...

Finance Minister, Nicola Willis joins the show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One major theme has emerged for this year’s election... money. Two parties at the weekend launched ideas to get the country’s finances in order and future-proof our economy for generations to come.  National held its annual party conference in high spirits, despite a polling support slide since the last election. They announced policy that would make KiwiSaver compulsory, raise mi...

A tax expert says the Greens' proposed approach to tackling corporate greed - is likely to be unpopular.  If elected, the party's promising to add new super rich, gifts and inheritance taxes, a major banks levy and a big tech tax.  It also wants to lift the corporate tax rate to 33 percent - for large companies like supermarkets, gentailers and banks.  PWC tax partner Sandy Lau shar...

There's no point talking about the latest loony bin tax plan grab from the Greens because it's not going to become anything more than a word doc on their website. It's not going to happen. An inheritance tax is about the cruellest thing a state can impose on a grieving family. 33% when mum or dad dies. You've got to then take out a loan from the bank, congratulations bank and pay the government. O...

Tell me something: does what’s just happened with the Golden Mile upgrade in Wellington restore your faith in the possibility that councils can actually be run properly? Because that thing - I don’t know if you’ve been following it over the years - but the Golden Mile upgrade has been an albatross around the necks of Wellington business owners and ratepayers since probably about...

Very shortly public voting will be underway for the Spark Retail NZ's People's Choice award. The People’s Choice Award recognises a retailer that has made a genuine, positive impact on its customers. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young said it's important to allow Kiwis to have a say in who they think deserves the award. Voting is open from Friday the 26th, and the awards ceremony will b...

As the election gets closer, parties are starting to release their policies. And after a slow start, keeping their cards close to their chest, Labour's building up steam. We already had the three free doctors visits for all, now we've got free maternity scans and a promise to scrap the $5 fee on prescriptions and make them universally free. Add that to the free public transport, well, up to a poin...

The Prime Minister's blasting the Greens' wealth tax, saying it would make Kiwis poorer and drive away investment. The party's proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million dollars, excluding the family home - alongside income tax cuts for people earning under %160,000 dollars. Chris Luxon says National's focused on growing the economy, while Labour has an 18-billion-dollar hole in its plans...

On the One Roof Radio Show Harcourts Managing Director Bryan Thomson joins Tim Beveridge to talk about how a Capital Gains Tax would affect the property market.  And The Opportunity Party proposed a land tax on urban residential properties, and Bryan isn't keen on the idea. 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 latest GDP figures are labelled the calm before the storm, a deal has been struck between the US and Ira...

Our economy was well on the way to recovery, driven by a resurgence in manufacturing, before the fuel crisis hit.  Stats NZ data out today shows GDP rose 0.8% in both the quarter and year to March.  Equipment manufacturing, food production, accounting and businesses services, wholesale trade, and agriculture were all doing well.  But mining had a big drop, as well as residential and...

New Zealand's continuing to feel the knock-on effects of continuing economic downturn - but is there light at the end of the tunnel?  The latest data shows GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter, before the fuel crisis started to hit. However, EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald is urging caution at this stage. "Everyone's kind of hedging their bets a little, but those underlying good facto...

New Zealand's economic recovery had been gaining momentum before the Iran war and fuel crisis hit. Today's figures show GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter. That was driven by manufacturing, business services and wholesale trade, particularly production of equipment and food. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's still indicators the economy could rebound - assu...

Nicola Willis says the Government's focused on the country's long-term economic outlook.  GDP's risen 0.8% in the March quarter.  The Economic Growth Minister says the June quarter won't be as sunny, as many businesses and households have been hit hard by the Iran war and fuel crisis.  But she told Mike Hosking the global oil prices are tracking lower than Treasury had forecast.&nbs...

Businesses are continuing to weather hit after hit, as the economy bounces in and out of recovery. GDP's now risen for three consecutive quarters - up 0.8 percent in the three months to March. But it's on track to fall for a third consecutive June quarter due to the impact of the Iran war and the fuel crisis. Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says their member...

China is racing ahead in artificial intelligence and robotics – and New Zealand risks being left on the sidelines if it doesn’t pay close attention. In this week’s episode of The Business of Tech, I talk to two Kiwis who’ve just had a rare front‑row seat on China’s AI boom – Auckland-based ElementX co‑founder and chief technology officer Ming Cheuk, and Christch...

Pathfinder's John Berry and Motion Capital's Ralph Chang discuss with Herald NOW Business the case for KiwiSaver venture capital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM ponders Fieldays, "friendly fire" from Winston and whether wilding pines should attract carbon credits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jarden's Mike McIntyre breaks down the latest GDT result and what it means for the dairy sector.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 5000 New Zealand bank accounts have been used by scammers to transfer stolen funds over the past nine months. These 'mule' accounts have been flagged by a new information sharing platform banks are using to detect scams: the Fraud Intelligence Exchange. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

US lifting Iran oil ban once interim deal is official;  SpaceX buys Cursor; Pathfinder puts KiwiSaver cash into  $27.2m Motion Capital climate-tech fund.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief economist of our largest bank says there's no reason our economy can't bounce right back if the Iran peace deal lasts.  GDP data due to today is expected to show the economy grew between 0.7% and 1% in the March quarter.  A contraction is possible in the June quarter.  But ANZ's Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking things should hopefully pick up again, straight away.  Sh...

Labour's suggested the Government's out of touch with the challenges beneficiaries face trying to lock down a job.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston wants to slash the number of people on Jobseeker to 140 thousand by 2030. But Labour says we're on track to miss this target by more than 60 thousand people.  Social Development spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime is criticising the meas...