The SME Stream

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.

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, household spending takes a hit, what’s behind our population growth, and why the tourism sector is feel...

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to the data centres of Silicon Valley or the cloud regions dotted around the world.  It is heading into orbit, hitching a ride on satellites and space stations in a way that could transform defence, climate monitoring, disaster response – and the balance of power itself. Starcloud, Google's Project Suncatcher, SpaceX V3 Starlink satellites,...

If you have ever wondered whether it is too late to start something new, this episode is for you. I sat down with New Zealand radio icon Jay-Jay Feeney, who after 35 years on air walked away to co-found PodLab and launch her own podcast. Jay-Jay gets real about burnout, mental health, building a business with your ex-husband, dealing with haters, and why change is never something to be afraid of....

Grant Baker is one of the country’s best success stories.  The Kiwi serial entrepreneur has had his hand in a number of pies but is best known for two companies – 42 Below and Turners.   It’s a career that’s spanned decades, and that’s before you get to his philanthropic efforts and work in co-founding the Gut Cancer Foundation in 2008.  He’s unra...

We discuss a buoyant rural market with the General Manager, Livestock & Real Estate for PGG Wrightson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia, the world's largest listed company and a critical bellwether on the health of the AI sector, posted record first-quarter earnings on Thursday of more than $136 billion. That's up 85 percent on a year ago, with forecasts for the next quarter of over $153 billion. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the PM what’s in the Budget for farmers? With cuts to the Public Service, is Wellington doomed as a city? Is Winston barking mad or just barking up the wrong tree in wanting to buy the BNZ? And at Fieldays, will he be attending the Rural Industry Leaders Event (dinner and debate) to raise funds for the Rural Support Trust? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra’s CFO comments on last night’s final GDT Auction for the 25/26 season. The headline move (up 0.6%) was largely in line with expectations, with a few unders and overs. Butter came out better than thought, and SMP a little worse (WMP 1.2%, SMP 0.2%, Butter 2.5%, and Cheese -1.3%). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to bond yields and interest rates going up all over the world, and it's prompted concerns among experts. This will impact Kiwis as well, as many KiwiSaver portfolios have taken a hit as a result. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins doesn't think the public much cares about which companies would be in the party's Future Fund.  It won't be revealing key details - including the cost to the Crown and which state assets would go into it - until after voters go to the polls. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked the reactions to this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board.  Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1.3% last month.  Kiwis are spending more overall compared to last year, but on cheaper food and are cutting back on buying items like clothing.  Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge margins are being squeezed and cash flows is tight....