The SME Stream

Retailers continue to struggle along as many watch every penny spent.  Electronic card spending data showed a 1.1% fall in October compared to last year. September was down 5.6%.  As retailers brace for the most important season of the year, Chief Executive at Retail NZ Carolyn Young tells Heather du Plessis-Allan it may be a tough period of time.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream cont...

Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight leg jeans, just to name a few. However, recruiters across the ditch in Australia have spoken out about Gen Z graduates’ demands on employers –saying their arrogant expectations are leaving a bad taste in their bosses’ mouths. The oldest of the generation...

The Finance Minister says she's not jumping to conclusions on whether New Zealand will be affected by potential Donald Trump Administration tariffs.  The president-elect has proposed tariffs of up to 20 percent on imported goods from most trading partners.  Nicola Willis says the current trade settings with US seem to be working.  "It's clear the Americans like what we're selling. Equally, we impo...

The markets have reacted strongly to Donald Trump returning for his second term in the White House. The US dollar, stocks and bitcoin all surged after his win - but experts are wondering if this will continue. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners unpacked some likely outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice....

Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election win on New Zealand markets.  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 content of the podcast...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Stocks and Bitcoin are rallying following Donald Trump's comeback – here's what could be primed for more growth under his Presidency. 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 a...

We're diving into data with Snowflake's New Zealand country manager Tony Shaw. Shaw shares how any size of organisation can benefit from data analytics and AI, emphasising the importance of having high-quality, consolidated information to drive business outcomes.  He also talks generative AI and the role that good data practice has in realising its potential and mitigating risks. Plus, tech under...

Donald J. Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. Democrat Kamala Harris called the former president to congratulate him and offer their support for a peaceful transition of power. Trump won’t take up office until January 20 next year – and there are a few things that’ll happen between now and then. He faces sentencing for his felony conviction for a start, that’s put...

Kiwi start-up Recorp, backed up by some of New Zealand's biggest names in business, has opened up its new aluminium facility. The company is promising to be the most innovative can producer in New Zealand - and a direct threat to Australian competitors. Chair Rob Fyfe says it's a huge relief to get the company up and running. "I've been going for three years, a lot of money - and it's just, in the...

Donald Trump is set to return to the White House - leaving economists everywhere to wonder what comes next. Trump won't take office until next January, but his proposed policies regarding business, trade and tariffs have people guessing. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains it could be an interesting four years. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general informati...

Kiwis are being warned to prepare for a more challenging trade environment as Donald Trump returns to the White House.  Trump has proposed a tariff of up to 20% on all imported goods, with China potentially receiving special treatment and a tariff of up to 60%.   New Zealand exports about $8 billion worth of goods to the US every year, and tariffs could have a significant impact.  Damien O’Connor...

The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high after Donald Trump swept through the battleground states and won the presidency. Despite the race starting off too close to call, markets picked up after Trump was determined the winner of the election. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what happens next. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financi...

World trade is ramping up rapidly ahead of the changeover of power to Donald Trump.  The US President Elect has campaigned on an agenda of increased protectionism, with tariffs of up to 20% on all imports.  He's also planning higher tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially setting the stage for another trade war.  Mainfreight managing director Don Braid told Mike Hosking that if tariffs are applied,...

Rosemary Banks – remember that name. She now has one of the most important jobs for New Zealand – a potentially $2 billion job. She's woman in Washington DC, our ambassador to the United States. Her mission: get us an exemption from Trump's tariffs. The scale of the problem: massive. Early estimates show that at 20% it could cost us $1.7 billion every year. Total exports currently $8.8 billion. It...

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, the unemployment rate is up, but not as high as we expected, what the red republican wave means for t...

While there are signs of light at the end of the economic tunnel, the job market is likely to remain tough for a little while yet.  The unemployment rate has risen to 4.8%.  It's lower than expected as more people are leaving the labour force, many opting for retraining or retirement instead.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking unemployment is likely to keep rising, as it always lags...

Unemployment has risen again.  Latest figures from Stats NZ show the unemployment rate has reached 4.8% in the September quarter.  That's up from 4.6% in the June quarter, and well up from 3.2% in the December 2021 quarter.  NZ Herald Business Editor Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham that there was no question they would see people lose their jobs, but the fact that it came in lower than many forecasts...

Unemployment rose less than expected in the September quarter – from 4.6% to 4.8%.  This comes slightly below the financial market expectation of 5%.   Infometrics CEO and Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Heather du Plessis-Allan there are still a lot of challenges.   Olsen believes this does not affect any hope of a 75 basis point cut but does create a significant dampener.  LISTEN ABOVE  The...

Having a clear winner so early in the US Election process could give some certainty for investors.  Donald Trump is set to return to the White House, having claimed more than the 270 Electoral Votes needed.   Markets are reacting strongly to the win, the US dollar surging in value, and bitcoin hitting a record high.  But, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge, there could sti...

The Reserve Bank has warned the economic downturn is expected to get worse before it gets better, with unemployment being expected to worsen. The bank's biannual Financial Stability Report says unemployment will peak at 5.4 percent by 2025. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says there are better economic times on the horizon - but there'll be 6-9 months of pain first.    LISTEN ABOVE The...

New data out this morning is expected to show more of us are out of a job.  Stats NZ is releasing the latest unemployment rate at 10.45.  Most economists expect it will rise from 4.6% in the June quarter to 5% in the September quarter.  But NZIER Principal Economist Christina Leung told Mike Hosking she expects it will rise even higher.  She says they believe the unemployment rate will peak at jus...

Students looking for summer work are struggling to land roles, as there's enormous competition for entry-level roles. Retail NZ says businesses are seeing a 'much higher calibre' of potential applicants looking for jobs. Swivel Careers founder Kate Ross says even people with full qualifications are finding it tough to land the right roles. "There's just not enough work out there right now. The eco...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Why this 100-year-old family business built a massive steel facility in a construction downturn. 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 content...

48 hours ahead of the US presidential election, financial markets are gearing up for a Trump victory. Polls indicate the election result will be close, and some experts are warning people not to adjust just yet. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacks the potential financial implications ahead of election day. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not...

It is becoming a fairly common story that debt is getting so big, people are burying their head in the sand rather than dealing with it.  Money mentalist Lynda Moore tells Kerre Woodham debt is easier to ignore in the modern day, without red-letter hard reminders arriving in the mail. Without help and support, people can very easily get lost or trust the wrong people.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts i...