The SME Stream

Three months ago, Mark Rocket strapped in for a ride aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard sub-orbital launch vehicle, and in the process became the first Kiwi to enter space.  The experience was a culmination of years of anticipation and some unexpected twists for the tech entrepreneur who was a pivotal, early investor in Rocket Lab and went on to form his own venture Kea Aerospace. Joining...

Liam Dann sits down with broadcaster Sam Wallace to explore the financial realities behind the glitz and glamour of fame. Sam opens up about the pressures of maintaining a public image, the unexpected costs of staying relevant, and the personal sacrifices made along the way. From hair transplants to high-end home furnishings, the conversation delves into the hidden expenses that come with a career...

New GDP figures are set to be unveiled tomorrow, and there's concerns from experts that the economy is struggling. The upcoming GDP data is projected to show an economy under pressure, as earlier forecasts of an incoming rebound look less and less likely. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Finance Minister is trying to soften the blow and put things in perspective. LIS...

The Government is looking to move forward with plans to change who is liable for defective building work, and it's raised questions about what this could mean going forward. For decades, all parties involved in a build have been jointly liable for problems, with local councils mostly picking up the tab. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcas...

An economist is predicting a gloomier number than the Reserve Bank from the latest GDP figure.  Stats NZ data on GDP for the year's second quarter will be released today.  The Reserve Bank's predicting a 0.3 percent drop.  BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones is a picking a 0.5 percent fall.  He told Ryan Bridge economic growth is probably going to be slow for a while.  Jones sa...

New Zealand’s creative sector has much more impact on the economy than commonly believed.  The sector is now the country’s fourth-largest export industry, worth $13 billion a year and supporting 100,000 jobs.   It’s also more productive than agriculture, with each worker generating $346,000 a year compared to $317,000.  Toi Mai Workforce Development Council CEO Cla...

The latest Rabobank survey's found farmers' faith in the broader agricultural economy is at its second highest level in the last decade, up to 46 percent. 51 percent expect it to improve in the year ahead - up three percent from the last quarter. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge it's pleasing to see - as it's good for the country's economy. He says when the primary sector's doing...

Chris Hipkins says Kiwis are starting to see things are going backwards under the current Government.  The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll reveals more voters blame the coalition for the struggling economy, than the previous Labour Government. This is despite senior Cabinet Ministers claiming a financial mess was left behind by Labour. Hipkins says Labour will set out ways it could improve the...

The influence of the New Zealand-made label appears to be decreasing as more consumers prioritise price.  Wattie's is ending some of its contracts with Hawke's Bay peach growers and says more people are choosing imported alternatives.  It says the demand for New Zealand-grown peaches has seen a steady decline in recent years. Consumer NZ Acting Head of Research and Advocacy Jessica Walke...

New data suggests New Zealand's economic turmoil is far from over. New economic data from Stats NZ prompted BNZ to increase its estimate of the size of the contraction in the economy in the three months to the end of June. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professio...

Our largest sector is continuing to do it tough.  Latest data from BNZ and Business NZ shows our services sector —which makes up almost three quarters of the economy— has contracted for the 18th consecutive month.  Our manufacturing sector is also back in contraction after a period of growth.  Business NZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking we're still seein...

Last week, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced plans to campaign for compulsory KiwiSaver at the next election, and increase the minimum contribution from 4% to 12%.  He said there would be tax cuts alongside these changes to help fund the increase in contributions.  LISTEN ABOV The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or prof...

Sudden money can feel life-changing, or like a trap. Financial planner Liz Koh joins Nadine to discuss how to handle a windfall without blowing it, from clearing debt to protecting relationships and securing your future. 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...

Hasn’t working from home become funny?  Seek have produced a thing called Money Matters, and they look at work-life balance.  Actually, hasn’t that become a thing as well – work-life balance. I can't place it exactly, but it seems like a Covid thing. The world changed and so did we.  Working hard is now so last year, or so last decade. We all long for work-life bal...

Over the last few years, more international retail giants have moved to establish themselves in New Zealand. Costco opened its first store in West Auckland a couple of years ago, and Ikea is set to open up its first New Zealand-based store in Auckland in December. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie reveals why these changes are taking place. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain gen...

Voter turnout could be an issue for a proposal to introduce binding referendums on major council spending projects.  The Local Government Business Forum has released a report in favour of holding referendums for significant projects exceeding $500 per ratepayer.  It says it should only apply to non-essentials, preserving councils' ability to invest in key utilities like water and transpo...

There's cautious optimism in the construction sector and hopes the economy will improve.   The Master Builders State of the Sector Report cites remaining demand issues like consumer confidence.   The report finds 66% of people describe their recent build as a positive and a similar number of people report no significant delays.  CEO Ankit Sharma told Mike Hosking regions are leading...

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, older Kiwis are leaving New Zealand in droves, the latest employment data doesn’t bode well for our econ...

New Zealand’s finance leaders are more confident for the year ahead.  A new report from the Hunter Campbell Group shows an uptick in confidence from CFOs, with 38% expecting modest to strong growth over the next 12 months – up from 31% last year.  But on the flip side, confidence in the Government’s ‘responsiveness’ remains low across the board.  Hunter...

Australia has grown wealthy by exploiting its vast mineral resources, but successive governments have also identified the need to move beyond extractive industries and have invested in science to come up with alternatives. On The Business of Tech this week, I sit down with Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s former Chief Scientist, and a 40-year veteran of the CSIRO, Australia’s highly respect...

What’s really behind rising health insurance premiums? Southern Cross Medical Care Society CEO, Nick Astwick, joins Liam to talk about the challenge of funding care and striking the balance between health and wealth, and why he reckons your health is a more valuable asset than your house. Nick also shares his own money journey, from childhood lessons to career-defining choices, offering his...

The cost of living crisis is hitting New Zealanders hard, with many putting retirement savings on the backburner. The number of people contributing to KiwiSaver fell for the first time in the year to March 2025, according to the Financial Markets Authority’s annual KiwiSaver report. FMA chief executive Samantha Barrass says these difficult circumstances have forced people to make 'difficult...

New Zealand First is backing major changes to KiwiSaver ahead of the election and it's sparked discussion about what this could mean going forward. The party's announced it will campaign on compulsory employee and employer contributions rising to 10 percent, to be offset with tax cuts. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this will likely be a significant issue ahead of the election, but she's voic...

An economist has raised concerns over NZ First's proposed reform for KiwiSaver contributions - and claimed they're not feasible. NZ First recently promised to make it compulsory and increase contributions from employers and workers to 10 percent - offset by a tax cut. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub says he approves of the idea of a compulsory scheme, but warns we can't afford a tax-fun...

The New Zealand Super Fund has bucked economic trends.  It's generated returns of nearly 12% over the past year, growing to $85 billion, and it’s suggested it will reach $100 billion by 2028.  CEO Jo Townsend told Mike Hosking that despite the ever-increasing amount of uncertainty in the world, markets have been incredibly strong over the last five years.  She says it goes to...