The SME Stream

Should the ultra-wealthy pay more tax? It’s a debate that’s continued for decades, even centuries. From Ancient Athens to present day, the idea has been a constant when it comes to addressing inequality. Yet, no government has been brave enough to impose one. It’s a staple of the Green Party’s proposed Budget, which promises bold moves to make sure everyone has a warm home,...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Tracksuit just closed a US$25 million funding round to push its brand tracking tool into boardrooms, including in the epicentre of advertising - New York City. 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 B...

Many Kiwis are studying or training in skills that aren't needed in the job market.  That's the warning from Business NZ as the Government reviews New Zealand's vocational education system.  The lobby groups say graduates are being held back from gaining employment because they've trained in the wrong area.  They're calling for an industry-led vocational system, with more focus on w...

Mortgage-holders will be holding their breath in after yesterday's OCR announcement. The Reserve Bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25% while signalling the possibility of further cuts.  But new ASB research suggests interest rates remain volatile, with several opposing forces at play.  Finance and Mortgage Association Country Manager Leigh Hodgetts told Andrew Di...

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, the OCR holds steady as the Reserve Bank tries to balance our struggling economy with rising inflation, the governmen...

This week, the co-founders behind sexual wellness brand Girls Get Off, Viv Conway and Jo Cummins, join Liam to discuss how their different experiences at school and growing up lead to them crossing paths, and eventually starting a business that wants to change how people talk about sex - even if banks, insurers and social media companies aren't quite on board yet.  The podcasts in the SME Str...

The Finance Minister says businesses should be more confident about the economic recovery.  The Reserve Bank's been weighing up lower-than-expected growth and higher inflation in its decision to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25%.  Nicola Willis says businesses have been battening down the hatches.  But she told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’re maybe more wary than...

The Reserve Bank left the OCR on hold at 3.25 percent - with the bank claiming it was waiting for more economic data. Economists widely suspected the RBNZ wouldn't cut rates any further, and they believe there's more cuts to come. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan unpacked the market reactions. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or prof...

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate still looks more likely than not, according to one expert. The Reserve Bank's kept the OCR unchanged at 3.25 percent today, following six consecutive cuts. It's waiting for more economic data, before further moves. But Infometrics principal economist, Brad Olsen, says the bank's explicitly signalling the chance of more cuts. "If things continue to evolve as th...

New Zealand isn't likely to get a better deal than we're currently getting, when it comes to trade with the US.  Almost all goods to the US now face a 10% base tariff rate.  Donald Trump's announced a 25% tariff rate for Japan and South Korea from the start of next month and may also raise tariffs on other trading partners.  Business NZ Advocacy Manager Catherine Beard told Heather...

The Reserve Bank of Australia has defied market expectations by leaving its cash rate target unchanged at 3.85 percent. Market expectations were for the central bank to cut its rate by 25 basis points. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham this came as a surprise to experts - but the central bank opted to wait ahead of the CPI release. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain&nbsp...

Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board.   Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using Artificial Intelligence to reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use.   He says it could lift our GDP $76 billion by 2038.   BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens AI use for Kiwi...

Time's ticking for US trade partners to sign tariff deals with Donald Trump. In April, the President announced most countries, including New Zealand, would face a 10 percent minimum levy - but has delayed their implementation.  This week, he's promised to send out what he's calling 'take it or leave it' letters.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly revealed how the markets reacted. LI...

This week, the Government's KiwiSaver contribution was halved under budget changes. Employers will also have to fork out a mandatory 4% contribution to adjust for the deficit left by the Government's contibution. That bump's expected to stifle potential salary increases, and in turn, our retirement funds - leading many to question what changes we really need, and what we can do for ourselves, to s...

When it comes to investing, we all know the usual suspects – shares, bonds, property, gold.  But the latest Financial Services Council report found 7% of people have ‘collectables’ among their investments.  So what makes something you like to collect an investment ... and how do you make money out of it?  Gertjan Verdickt is a finance expert at the University of Au...

There was a survey out last week that broadly supported the Government’s moves around KiwiSaver, as in the 3% and 3% going to 4% and 4%.  But they wanted the Government to do something about the cut in contribution from the state.  Small hint – if you rely on the Government for any consistency around long term projects, forget it.  From the very beginning of KiwiSaver, t...

New Zealand’s property values are ticking back up again.  New data from Cotality has revealed a 0.2% national increase in June, reversing the 0.1% falls that came in April and May.  The medium house price remains around the $815,000 mark, with Tauranga and Christchurch both increasing by 0.6%.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Mike Hosking property values are fair...

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, the government’s crackdown on retail crime, filled job numbers are out and they aren’t as rosy as we...

By now, you’ve probably participated in a video conference call that’s been recorded and automatically transcribed, with a meeting summary sent to you within seconds of the meeting ending. The likes of Teams, Otter, Zoom and Fireflies are using artificial intelligence to parse our language for insights and meaning, translating long, meandering meetings into useful summaries. But Christ...

This week, the founder and CEO of KidsCan and Pet Refuge, Dame Julie Chapman, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, from how she originally planned to being a cop to how the need for her charities has increased over the years.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in...

Billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla believes the greatest risk of artificial intelligence is not the technology itself, but who holds its power. In this interview we discuss how AI could create value and war. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily s...

Reports reveal ACC is planning to be more scrupulous when paying claims, as the Government pressures it to run a tighter ship. The state insurer has committed to “highly ambitious” targets around getting injured people rehabilitated and back to work quicker. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream con...

2025 is halfway over - so how are the global markets holding up, and what can investors expect for the second half of the year? Several key markets have delivered decent returns so far, but Trump's 'Liberation Day' delivered a turbulent period. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, no...

Woolworths says it takes a community effort to curb retail crime.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has unveiled the plan for Police to issue infringement fines for people stealing - similar to speeding tickets.  It is based on suggestions from the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group.  Woolworths Retail and Franchise Director Jason Stockill told Ryan Bridge the announcement is an...

Business NZ's Advocacy Director says Invest New Zealand is looking to hire people with an array of international connections.  The government organisation's been given $85 million over four years to work with global investors to create jobs, boost innovation, and lift productivity.  Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge potential employees should be well-connected around the world.  She...