The SME Stream

Labour’s fiscal strategy, debt promises and how it compares with National’s approach. Herald Business Commentator Fran O'Sullivan.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yep, it was all about taxes over the weekend. Labour pinned its colours to the mast over the weekend and wants to tax more to spend more. Taxman from the Beatles was written by George Harrison in 1966 when Harold Wilson came to power in Britain. He imposed a super tax of 95% on the extremely wealthy, of which the Beatles were on paper, but their accountants warned them they were about to become ba...

Why long-term US bond yields remain stubbornly high. Shane Solly Harbour Asset Management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is National’s promise of no new taxes as good as it sounds? If you ask Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, he’ll say no. Because he’s been pushing for a bed tax for tourists and, yesterday, Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis announced that that won’t be happening under National. Wayne Brown won’t be the only person upset, either. You ask anyone in tourism or local government...

Some think the India Free Trade Agreement will produce more benefits than even the Government expects.   The agreement is moving through Parliament, before it's ratified. The International Business Forum and Westpac have released new research on how the deal will contribute to value. Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh says it shows Government forecasts of 0.1% GDP growth in the next d...

How often should you review your KiwiSaver — and what should you actually be looking at? In this episode of The Prosperity Project , we talk through what matters when reviewing your KiwiSaver, from your retirement goals and contribution levels to fees, fund types and provider performance. Financial commentator Russell Hutchinson explains why you shouldn’t just chase last year’s t...

Labour's staying tight-lipped on whether it would make more cuts to the public service if elected, but assures it's focused on protecting it. The party's latest election promise sets out to achieve surplus by 2030, and reduce net debt to 20 percent of GDP over time. It will aim to keep Government spending and revenue at around 33 percent of GDP once its Capital Gains Tax is fully implemented. Fina...

Most people think building wealth is about earning more. But what you do with your money matters just as much as how much you make. In this episode I’m sharing my 9 money habits that have shaped how I’ve built my wealth and how I think about money altogether. I’ve learned that looking wealthy and being wealthy are two very different things. From refusing to spend $20 on a drink w...

No regrets from National's Leader, as he backs down on new taxes this election. It's a sudden switch up from recent weeks with the National party discussing both a bed tax and bank tax as potential prospects.  Christopher Luxon says the party's unable to deliver either without creating cost for New Zealanders.  He told Mike Hosking that he stands by that decision, saying 'no new taxes, n...

Labour's confident stagnant property prices won't hurt its plans to slash debt if re-elected. The party's seeking to return to surplus by the end of the decade and lower net debt to 20% of GDP over time.  Its plans hinge on a fully implemented Capital Gains Tax. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking that it's not expected the sliding property market will continue. He says even the cur...

Datagrid's Benjamin Black says Southland can become a major AI hub, as the company tackles concerns over data centre power and water use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S&P Global’s Anu Ganti on the broadening US market rally, AI’s next phase and what market shifts mean for investors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Griffin from the Business of Tech podcast has been comparing policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SpaceX's record as the largest IPO in history is about to be broken by one of the emerging AI giants. Anthropic's business is expanding and it's projecting a 2028 revenue of ‌roughly $190 billion to $200 billion. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Treasury doubles long bond buyback programme to US$4b, curbing a hike in the cost of debt - for now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwibank says the banking sector's becoming fiercely competitive.  The Crown-owned bank has reported a 9% drop in annual profit.  Its net interest margin —a key metric of profitability— has dropped to 2.1%.  Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich told Mike Hosking the margin has dropped from about 2.4% a few years ago.  He says wholesale rates have increased, and the advis...

Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Oracle have together issued more than $US200b in corporate debt this year. 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 great Auckland bridge debate reignites, inflation is falling but don’t expect that to stop more O...

In episode 69 of Leaders Getting Coffee our guest is one of New Zealand’s most successful business CEO’s, Sir Ralph Norris.   An everyday upbringing in Auckland’s suburb of Mt Roskill, laid the foundations for the humble and softly spoken manner that typifies Sir Ralph Norris. But don’t let that humility fool you. He was an active youngster and clearly bright enou...

How do you build a people strategy that supports one of New Zealand's most recognised global brands while staying true to its purpose? In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Faye Restall, Chief People Officer at Les Mills International, to explore leadership, organisational culture, global people strategy, and how HR can create real commercial value. Leading the People & Cu...

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is about to turn 80 – and is still plainly more interested in the next deal, the next big export market and the next practical problem to fix than in winding down. In this week’s episode of The Business of Tech, Brown delivers a typically uncensored account of how he thinks Auckland should use technology to drive economic growth. He has little patience for gl...

New Zealand’s birth rate stats just keep getting worse...  The latest show ‘natural population growth’ has fallen to 18,700 for the year to June – the lowest it’s been since WWII.  Births are at their lowest since 2003.  So should we throw money at people to have babies, or are there some other options on the cards? And how bad is it really?   Toda...

Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton discusses the company’s strong FY26 result, record dividend and $710 million renewable investment programme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BusinessDesk senior journalist discusses fresh speculation around A2 Milk and Fonterra's interest in Synlait, and the hurdles any deal would face. He also shares insights from company reporting season and what strong dairy markets could mean for upcoming farm sector results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global fuel prices have been rising again as conflict continues in the Strait of Hormuz.  The US has now exported much of its diesel supplies – pushing up prices across the US and Europe.  Crude oil prices haven't risen as much due to China's decision to stop exporting refined fuel, but Brent crude prices are rising again after the US and Iran ruled out extending their memorandum o...