The SME Stream

There are hopes proposed changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will boost our own productivity.  The changes will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand.  Revenue Minister Simon Watts says the legislation for this will likely be introduced in August.  Phase One Ventures chief executive Mahe...

Expectations we'll have a strong showing of investment opportunities for our venture-hungry guests.   More than 100 offshore firms are making an appearance at the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland over the next two days.    Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens expects to see the opening up of public-private partnerships...

The Revenue Minister's confident changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will greatly benefit tech and startup companies.  The Government's working on changes which would see new migrants taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand.  It applies to migrants who became tax residents here on or after April last year.  Simon...

The Economic Growth Minister is making it easier for New Zealand businesses to win government contracts.  Nicola Willis is scrapping 24 requirements in the Government's procurement rule book, including a requirement for the company to pay cleaning, catering, and security staff a living wage.  She's also adding a new economic benefit test.  Willis told Mike Hosking they're encouragin...

The US economy is in chaos as Donald Trump continues to push ahead with his tariff plan.  The US President's confirmed Australia won't be exempt from new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, and has announced 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium imports.  This is in response to Ontario's now-suspended 25% surcharge on electricity exports.  US Correspondent Richard Arno...

Stock markets across the US have taken a significant hit over concerns about the negative economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. After the President refused to rule out a recession, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7 percent, the Nasdaq fell 4 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says US markets have a right to be worried...

Some changes to the Government's procurement rule book are being welcomed.  Currently, there are 71 rules a business must follow to be awarded a government contract, but the Finance Minister is bringing that down to 47.   It's also introducing a new economic benefit test which will consider the wider benefit to New Zealand when awarding contracts to Kiwi firms.  Wellington Chamber o...

The Government’s focus on economic growth and foreign investment is back in the spotlight this week. Later this week, the much-anticipated Investment Summit will take place in Auckland. Businesses from over 14 countries, with six trillion dollars of capital, will be in attendance across Thursday and Friday, with Government Ministers and Labour representatives in attendance. It comes at a cri...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  KiwiSaver funds have returned between 4-10% on average over 10 years. What investment opportunities are funds eyeing next, and should we expect fees to fall or rise as a result? The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not...

New Zealand is hoping for an economic reprieve - but experts warn that's less likely to happen this year. Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency has generated plenty of economic concern, with many worried it could contribute to the ongoing downturn. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, n...

Amanda Morrall joins to discuss how you can stabilise your finances in the midst of an economy in turmoil. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the conten...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  Cybersecurity is a booming industry but not for good reason. The former head of the UK & Australia's National Cyber Security Centres discuss the threat to economies and how AI could worsen cyber warfare. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed...

Emily Owens has grim personal experience of adversity and financial insecurity – from sleeping in her car, feeling trapped by domestic violence, and becoming a widowed single mother at age 20 when her son was just 5 weeks old. But she’s channelled that experience into a meaningful career focused on helping others make good financial decisions. She shared her story of survival and findi...

Equity markets across the world have taken a dive - and one expert has explained the sudden drop. Donald Trump's tariff threat and collective concerns about the administration's new Department of Government Efficiency have sparked aversion among experts. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not f...

An urge for Kiwis to not worry about market impacts from Donald Trump's tariffs on their KiwiSaver.  The US President's slapped import levies on Canada, China, and Mexico, and has signalled more for other countries.  Trump says he's spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over easing tariffs on the auto sector.  But Milford Asset Management head of KiwiSaver Murray Harris...

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. In this weekly wrap, a shock resignation from our Reserve Bank Governor, the trade war continues to escalate in the US, so what...

New Zealand is not stranger to tectonic shifts, perched as it is on a volcanic belt, but the current geopolitical quakes may prove an entirely different matter. The University of Waikato's Dr Reuben Steff joins the podcast to argue that without joining the high tech-focused pillar two of the Australia, UK and US (AUKUS) agreement, NZ may find themselves at a major disadvantage in the new worl...

The Trade Minister says he's taking potential disruption to trade very seriously.   US President Donald Trump has sent stocks tumbling across the world after lumping tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, who are promising retaliation. Todd McClay says it'll directly affect New Zealand companies in those countries - such as Fisher and Paykel in Mexico. He says it could move us even closer to Ch...

It's a big week for the New Zealand stock market, and one expert is taking a look at the highest performers. As results reporting continues, some companies are bringing in more for investors than others. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. A...

One expert has delivered a grim outlook for share markets around the world.  Stocks have tumbled after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says markets surged after the election with thoughts that Trump might promote growth.  He says there might not be a quick fix for the issue.  "I suspect it's goi...

In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury’s Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what’s happening on the business front.  They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general...

The coalition Government wants more homes to be built cheaper and faster, yet official data shows an annual 7.2 percent drop in the sector. New data from Stats NZ shows that in the year ended January 2025, there were 33,812 new homes consented, down 7.2 percent compared with the year ended January 2024. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the&n...

Economists are outlining their predictions as Australia prepares to release a GDP update tomorrow. The Australian economy is predicted to have grown faster over the December quarter, but the effect of inflation still linger. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professi...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE]  US tech behemoth Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to open a data centre in New Zealand and has acquired more land to expand. Its head of NZ explains if its bet is paying off, and how she got Satya Nadella on side. [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE ]  US tech behemoth Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to open a data centre in New Zealand and has acquired more land t...

A recent report found that women lag behind men in investment property ownership, despite a fairly even result for owner-occupied homes.  Nichole Lewis joins to discuss why the numbers are so off, and how you can start from zero.  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed...