The SME Stream

China is said to be considering approving an additional $1.4 trillion in borrowing to boost the economy. Plus, Asia Business correspondent Peter Lewis shares how the US election is being discussed in China. 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...

Can AI build an app? Tech expert Paul Stenhouse puts it to the test. I had an idea. ‘All The Calls’ - an app that tracks presidential race calls across networks in real-time. It absolutely is possible, however it's not without its headaches and frustrations. But wow – it is absolutely impressive.    You need to be very, very good at describing things. I have never thought about my words so much. ...

A free trade deal with the Middle East countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council has come at the right time for exporters.  The FTA's expected to provide a sizable boost to the annual $3 billion of two-way trade.  If treated as one country, all six countries —including Saudi Arabia and the UAE— would be New Zealand's seventh-largest export destination by value.  Former trade negotiator C...

New Zealand is getting a leg up in the competitive market of global exports.  A free trade agreement has been made between New Zealand and the Middle East countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council.  It comprises Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.  Trade Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking New Zealand will be able to trade more with these countries.  He says the tarif...

It's less than a week until voters in the US will cast their ballots and determine a new president - and experts are wondering about the economic impacts. No matter who wins, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have policies that could have implications regarding the future of international business. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what the candidates could do for New Zealand...

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, we unpack the latest job statistics, we look at what Business NZ wants from the government to support...

New Zealand's big bet on fibre has paid off in spades, according to a new report by Deloitte that found the $5.5 billion that government and private companies invested into the super fast internet infrastructure has delivered $31b in value due to productivity gains. Two economists from Deloitte Access Economics, Liza Van Der Merwe and Mayuresh Prasad, walk us through the findings from that report,...

The iconic Kiwi corner dairy is believed to be becoming a rarer sight.  The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment notes there are more than 1,700 businesses currently registered as dairies or superettes, less than Retail NZ's 2018 count of around 4,000. Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson told Ryan Bridge a number of dairies have closed, but people's shopping habits have changed. ...

Singapore has its eye on New Zealand as the place to invest.  This is the message that has been relayed by Minister Shane Jones, who's just returned from a visit to the wealthy city state.  He says Singapore is keen to invest in infrastructure, including the government’s planned road building programme and water infrastructure.  Queen City Law managing director Marcus Beveridge told Mike Hosking S...

The latest employment numbers for September 2024 show the job market is still in a tough spot. Annual filled jobs were down 0.9 percent compared to this time last year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this is a tricky point for the economy - and things aren't expected to get better until mid-2025. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not fin...

Data shows that more people are buying investment properties as interest rates begin to drop - what's stopping others from doing the same? Tim Beveridge is joined by property investor Nichole Lewis to discuss more.  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...

This time last year Arepa found themselves in hot water after the government officials decided that made unsubstantial health claims of cognitive and physical boosting abilities, they are forced to amend these claims and now back launching a new brain drink – Uplift. Co-Founder of Arepa, Angus Brown told Heather Du Plessis – Allan that this time round he's proud to call the "brain drink” because o...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck shares how Neutron is progressing ahead of its 2025 launch target, and discusses why some investors may be doubting his company’s ability to execute. 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...

The Electricity Authority said market options were available to big power users during the winter price spike that some blamed for their closure. The closures prompted the EA – the regulator – to investigate the options available to big power users, and it found hedges available tended to be lower than the overlapping average ASX price at the time. Last month, a number of Kiwi businesses, includin...

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, positivity from the retail sector, the gender pay gap is still looming - I’ll tell you which wo...

A bit of life is coming back into the property market, but investors think the best is yet to come.   The CoreLogic October Housing report has found almost a quarter of the properties bought were by people who own multiple properties.   The Property Investors Federation says there should be a pickup mid next year as mortgage rates continue to fall.   Advocacy Director Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge th...

Experts from Australia and New Zealand are meeting with leaders in Malaysia to discuss how to improve business and security. The three groups are expected to discuss new opportunities and challenges - and outline new solutions. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained what could come out of these discussions. LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only...

Fletcher Building's chief executive and board faced up to some very disappointed shareholders at today's annual general meeting. Company chief executive Andrew Reding revealed margins were under pressure - with revenue down 12 percent in September versus 7 percent down in July and August, compared to the year earlier. NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander was at the meeting, and he noted t...

New research has revealed pipfruit export growth is outstripping national export growth.  The industry contributed just under $2 billion to New Zealand's economy last year.  Export value increased from $347 million in 2012 to more than $892 million in 2023.  Apple and Pears chairperson Lesley Wilson told Mike Hosking the regional impacts are huge.  She says they're the third-highest contributor to...

Kiwi start-up Nature Baby is looking to expand into the US market again. What started as a small business operating out of an Auckland flat has grown into a multi-million dollar business - and co-owners Jacob and Georgia Faull are looking to re-launch the brand overseas. Jacob says the brand's not immune to the effects of the current economic downturn - but the 'green shoots' in the economy are gi...

The Royal College of GPs says registration fast-tracks will mean someone coming to New Zealand won't have to wait months.  The Medical Council's introducing faster registrations for doctors with specialist qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and Australia.   It comes after Australia introduced something similar for GPs from here, the UK, and Ireland.   College of GPs President Samantha Murton tol...

The Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce says widening the region's key road will benefit everyone.   The Hawke's Bay Expressway is being upgraded from two lanes to four as part of the Roads of National Significance programme.  The route carries 29,000 vehicles a day, including those transporting goods to and from the Napier port.  Chamber Chief Executive Karla Lee told Mike Hosking it's well past its...

Small business affairs Minister Andrew Bayly has found himself in hot water after a member of the public complained he swore at, mocked and ridiculed him during a ministerial visit. The Prime Minister’s office has released a letter from the complainant which alleges Minister Bayly repeatedly called the person a loser and made an ‘L’ sign with his fingers on his forehead. Andrew Bayly has “unreserv...

Financial adviser and coach Hannah McQueen joins Tim Beveridge to discuss how to split your mortgage to pay as little as possible in the long run.  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 resu...

The latest interest rate was announced this week - 2.2%, the lowest in 3.5 years.  Property commentator Ashley Church joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impact property has on inflation rates.  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 e...