The SME Stream

Markets giving mixed oil signals, cleantech firm starts $6m experimental refinery, did a Polymarket user fix a bet on Paris weather with a hair dryer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Independent economist Cameron Bagrie on NZ's economic outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Partner support ranks alongside workplace factors as a critical driver of success. Leadership Coach and Researcher - Dr Amanda Sterling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite oil prices sitting above pre-conflict levels and the Strait of Hormuz still shut, global equity markets have rebounded strongly. What gives?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says there won't be any unpleasant surprises in the final text of our free trade agreement with India.  The deal is due to be tabled in Parliament today after Todd McClay signed it in New Delhi overnight.  New Zealand First has concerns over what it means for immigration, while Labour's concerned about potential requirements for investing in India.  McClay told Mi...

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,  Economists feel uneasy about the latest inflation data, the government reassures Kiwis about our dwindling f...

Labour supports the Indian FTA, but a fired-up NZ First leader says it’s an “utter unmitigated disaster of an agreement for NZ’s future”. Has it cost him farmer votes? Will he confirm he will not go into coalition with Labour? After calling them “woke self-confessed communists who would turn our country into a basket case. No, we won’t do a deal with Labour or t...

Labour's written to the Prime Minister supporting the India Free Trade Deal being signed in New Delhi next week.  National needed their support to pass the deal into law, since it was opposed by coalition partner New Zealand First.  But Chris Hipkins remains concerned about the commitment to promote billions of dollars of investment in India, saying it's not affordable.  Labour&rsqu...

The Finance Minister says politicians should see our downgraded Moody's economic outlook as a wake-up-call, as she pieces together her Budget. The rating agency's moved our designation from stable to negative, but reaffirmed our triple A credit rating. Nicola Willis says she's got a clear set of goals for the 2026 Budget - and she's committed to sticking with them even during the ongoing crisis. "...

Credit ratings agency confirms NZ AAA bur with a negative outlook citing slow path to surplus, govt moves big investments from Treasury to Infrastructure Commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Correspondent Katie Bradford examines how the infrastructure commission may change how big projects are delivered See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan Bridge what NZ's latest economic downgrade means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's leader is doubling down on his concern about the India-New Zealand free trade agreement's $33 billion Kiwi investment target.  The party's finally agreed to support the FTA, but is warning businesses to proceed at their own risk.  Chris Hipkins says the multi-billion-dollar target is unrealistic.  He says down the line, it could affect businesses that redirect exports to In...

I see ACT is flying a kite on free money for school kids.  Which sounds odd given the party's aversion to free lunches.  Seymour's talking about giving each Year 11 student, 5th form, $500 each to invest. It'd cost $30 million a year and could be funded via the KiwiSaver subsidy.  They'd be able to invest in a term deposit, managed fund, and equities. It'd be a controlled fund so th...

Artificial intelligence isn’t coming to the New Zealand public sector – it’s already here. AI is shaping everything from your tax bill to how quickly police process crime reports. And right now, it’s happening in a way that’s fast, fragmented and largely hidden from public view. On the latest episode of  The Business of Tech , I talk to BusinessDesk journalist C&...

After a tough day at the office yesterday, the Prime Minister is all fired up over the media, Winston and the Indian FTA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The revamped Golden Visa is providing a major boost to the economy. The Active Investor Plus visa's brought in $1.5 billion, with another $2.4 billion in the pipeline.  More than 600 applications have been lodged since last April, from nearly 2,000 people.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking she's thrilled with those numbers.  She says the impact for individual bu...

Labour is still mulling whether to back the India free-trade agreement, despite it being set to be signed on Monday. Speaking to the Herald after Labour’s caucus met on Tuesday, leader Chris Hipkins couldn’t say how close the party was to finalising its position on the agreement, but said it was continuing to talk to the Government “in good faith”. NZ Herald Wellington busi...

The Reserve Bank may have to hike the OCR sooner than expected, with inflation tracking higher than forecast.  Inflation remains at 3.1% – unchanged on three months ago.  ASB economists say the central bank could be facing a "nightmare scenario" of soaring inflation, against the backdrop of a fragile economy.  Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge it’s increasing...

Imagine having a financial adviser in your pocket. With AI innovations transforming what finance apps are capable of, that reality might not be too far away. Instead of just tracking your spending, saving and investments, advances internationally are increasingly seeing the apps able to do everything from scanning the market for better deals or returns, to making recommendations and then executing...

Inflation was higher than it should be, even before factoring in the full impact of the war on Iran.  Stats NZ data shows the inflation rate remained unchanged at 3.1% in the March quarter.  Internationally driven tradeable inflation dipped to 2.5% and the domestically driven non-tradeable rate was unchanged at 3.5%.  The Herald's Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham these figures come befo...

'About 50% of the rally we've seen over the last few weeks has been driven by equity fundamentals.' Alice Mew - Craigs Investment Partners See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is concerned about an expected spike in inflation.  The inflation rate has remained unchanged at 3.1% in the March quarter, despite forecasts of a drop.  ASB economists now expect it to approach 4.5% this quarter, remain above 4% until the end of the year, and remain above 3% until at least the middle of next year.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking there's no dou...

Will Labour’s trade spokesperson have breaking news on the Indian FTA after today’s caucus? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZFOA Chief Executive comments on the Indian FTA and challenging times for the forestry industry, off the back of the fuel crisis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.