The SME Stream

The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the OCR on hold at 2.25 percent today. Most markets had priced in a hold, but the views on what will happen next are split, especially considering concerns around inflation.  Milford Asset Management's Remy Wisenberg explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with the senior journalist at BusinessDesk, as we say goodbye to the 2025/2026 dairy season, which he says was anything but dull. And tomorrow we find out Fontarra’s opening forecast milk price for the 26/27 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something doesn't really add up on business investment in this country, says Ryan Bridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, that Official Cash Rate decision is probably one of those moments where you find out whether you're a glass half-full or glass half-empty person. Because on the bright side, the Official Cash Rate didn’t go up. On the downside, it looks like it’s definitely going up next time. So yes, it’s a reprieve - but it’s only a reprieve for six weeks, excuse me, before the scre...

The Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.    It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑hea...

Thursday's Budget is being illed as 'grown-up' with no lolly scrambles under a cloud of tough choices ahead. But with rising mortgage costs and stubborn inflation, will the Government deliver something people can actually feel in their wallets? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack what’s been revealed ahead of Budget day and what might still be hiding in the numbers. Plus, are mortgage holders...

ConsumerNZ's Jon Duffy tells Herald NOW Business why Kiwis feel better about KiwiSaver even as many are dipping into savings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural lending specialist Rabobank expects the 2026-27 dairy season to be another strong one for farmgate milk prices, but says rising inflation will take its toll. After a string of strong Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, Rabobank expects a robust opening milk price from dairy co-op Fonterra of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg of milksolids for the 2026-27 season. However,  the bank said the inflatio...

An economist believes the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate today to control inflation.  The bank will release its first Monetary Policy Statement since war broke out in the Middle East, with most expecting it to hold at 2.25% and not rise until September.  But Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking inflation was already at 3.1% before the war, and we'll l...

Paul Spain from Gorilla Technology on the $24 billion hi-tech industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business NZ says a new loan scheme to help businesses ditch gas is a necessary step.    This year's Budget funds up to $1.2 billion in guaranteed bank loans to help businesses transition to renewables.  Potential losses are accounted for with $48 million set aside.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge it's still a loan business will need to pay back,...

Conferences on our shores are driving up international delegation numbers, which have surged more than 50% annually.   According to Stats NZ, arrivals are near pre-Covid levels, with more than 16 thousand people coming in the first quarter.   International delegates contributed more than $54 million to the economy, with visitors spending an average $500 per day.   Business Canterbur...

If the Post is to believed this morning, the Government is considering a business growth fund whereby some crown agency would pick winners and probably a few losers with financial backing.  Chalmers did this in Australia.  There was apparently a meeting in April between Willis and Chalmers to talk about us joining his fund.  We're talking about minnows with revenue between one and t...

Hardship withdrawals are up, people are often reluctant to change providers and there is an ongoing and persistent gender savings gap.'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a strong close to the 2025/26 dairy season – marked by rises in the GDT price index in eight of the last ten auctions – Rabobank’s Senior Ag Analyst is forecasting a robust opening milk price of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg/MS for the 2026/27 season. Plus, we look at the excellent prospects for red meat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big week for the economy, with the next OCR announcement set to be unveiled this coming Wednesday. Markets are expecting the Reserve Bank to leave the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent, but a hike hasn't been ruled out. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first quarter of the year has seen a boom in people coming into the country for business events.   According to Stats NZ, international delegate arrivals are up 50%, with more than 16 thousand arrivals in the first quarter.   That translates to more than $54 million into the economy and often represents the first taste of New Zealand for visitors.   Business Events Industry Aote...

Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what does it actually take to retire? And, when Super is under threat, and the only stable thing about the global economic climate is its instability, can we rely on the pension being there when we're ready to retire? Author of Money Matters Amanda Morrall...

Most of us enter negotiations with a level of awkwardness and trying not to sound greedy. It's not the strongest tactic, but nor is making demands based on your perceived value.  Negotiating expert and founder of Sheer Negotiations, Noa Sheer, joins Nadine to share her advice on how to handle everything from salary reviews to buying a house, The pair discuss the psychology behind successful n...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be presenting the 2026 budget on this coming Thursday.  A number of pre-budget announcements have already been made including money directed to maths and literary in schools and maritime security, while social housing and the public sector have faced budget cuts.  Founder of Bagrie Economics, Cameron Bagrie, spoke to Tim Beveridge about what he expects...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio this morning for their weekly chat. With the budget coming up this week they spoke about the pre-budget announcements so far, and what's yet to come.  Luxon said that more spending announcements will be revealed on Thursday, but the budget is strict.  "That's what we have to have, good fiscal financial discipline year in year...

S&P's Sue Lee discusses SPIVA's verdict on NZ fund managers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Labour’s leader for some policy as we’re now less than six months away from the Nov 7 General Election. Plus, does he support Winston over National Super and buying the BNZ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand saw a 6% spending increase in retail last quarter with the South Island overtaking the North, likely due to farming and tourism.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a jump in pharmaceutical spending can be attributed to the increasing popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy.  "There's certainly high volume of those drugs now being sold, and they're r...

RBNZ survey shows NZ firms expect more inflation sooner and lasting for longer, plus Musk's Mars colony payday plan.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.