The SME Stream

The Prime Minister on a buoyant primary sector and how New Zealand’s Michelin-star-winning restaurants benefit tourism. Plus, the OCR, how heavy machinery rules affect farmers, and the Treasury Performance Improvement Review. And how is Police Minister Mark Mitchell doing after breaking his ribs at a charity rugby match? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Monetary Fund is broadly happy with how the Government and Reserve Bank are steering the economy - but it's warned some changes need to take place. The agency says the Government will need to hike taxes, as well as continue cutting spending, to get the country’s finances on a more sustainable path forward. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained how...

2026 is halfway over, and experts have noticed which trends are leading investor conversations. The chips and computer hardware sector has seen some growth thanks to the AI boom, but the Middle East conflict has continued to generate concerns. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister believes all signs are pointing to economic growth this year.  The International Monetary Fund's recommending the country continue to hike taxes and make spending cuts.  It predicts the economy will grow by 2% throughout this year, rising to 2.7% next year.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking the IMF's quite optimistic about our growth this year, and she believes t...

The ACT Party says it has killed three birds with one stone as new workplace legislation is passed.  The bill reverses a number of changes in the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act, and will shift focus to critical risks.   It passed its third reading in Parliament yesterday, despite criticisms from New Zealand First.   Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden told...

After building and selling EnableMe, Hannah McQueen is tackling another challenge through Age Brightly. She joins Paula Bennett to talk about wealth, purpose, business and why New Zealand needs to rethink ageing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government currently spends about a billion dollars a fortnight on superannuation payments, it's a growing problem that we're running out of time to address. So who shouldn’t be counting on getting the pension in future? Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity chief economist and head of policy, joins Nadine Higgins with some hot takes about the future of NZ's pension scheme and his thoughts on prop...

Could the AI frenzy end in a painful market correction? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss the warnings and what it could mean for KiwiSaver. Plus, should the Reserve Bank should leave interest rates alone? And what does the falling New Zealand dollar mean for you? The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANZ's big cheese economist says New Zealand has a super problem - and here's how to fix it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IAG's Bryce Davies on government responsibility and the role insurers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Putting the mideast aside the currency play has been quite dramatic for the NZ market'  Mohandeep Singh Craigs Investment Partners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worst seems to be over when it comes to the job market.  Filled jobs rose 0.3% in May —an extra 2,515 roles— with strong gains in the service and public sectors.  The annual lift of 0.7% was the fastest in over two years.   Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Mike Hosking in terms of the economy, it’s as if we’re on State Highway 1, travelling aroun...

Surprise over jobs in the public service rising, despite cuts planned by the Government. Seasonally-adjusted Stats NZ data shows filled jobs rose 0.3 percent last month - and 0.7 percent for the past year. The most jobs were in the public sector, with more than six-thousand jobs created in the year to May. Infometrics Economist Rob Heyes says there's still plenty of work to do in the public sector...

Kiwibank believes there’s no need to increase the Official Cash Rate just yet.  They believe the figure should be held at 2.25% when the Reserve Bank reviews it next week.  Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking that oil prices were a temporary shock and some of the fears around secondary inflationary pressures haven’t eventuated.  He told Mike Hosking th...

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, does National’s new Kiwisaver policy fill enough gaps in the scheme? …. Another confidence knock to our job...

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.  In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Toni and Christina Sills to chat about the growth,...

Our relationship with China takes centre stage in Auckland this morning.   The 12th annual China Business Summit brings together business and political leaders to explore areas for cooperation amid deepening global uncertainty.  New Zealand exported nearly $20 billion worth of goods to China last year.   Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking polit...

Christchurch’s new stadium has put its stamp on the city, pumping $21 million into the economy in just 60 days.   One NZ Stadium was forecast to generate $50 million in a year.  The project was also completed six weeks early and $26 million under budget.  Venues Otautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare told Mike Hosking they’re absolutely flying – it’s...

New Zealand Rugby's adamant there was no choice but to reject rescue plans for the financially-strapped Moana Pasifika.  Moana is officially out of the 2027 Super Rugby season – although there is hope they will be back in the future.  The franchise fizzles out, owing millions on a loan from the Government through Sport New Zealand.  Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid told M...

There's been some flare-ups in the AI and chip sectors and experts have raised concerns. There's been drops on the Nasdaq and S&P 500, and investors are questioning the huge amount of spend on AI. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour isn’t the only party faced with a funding challenge related to the country’s pay equity regime. The three pay equity claims in the works relate to people who work for organisations partially funded by the Government - Plunket, Hospice and Bupa Aged Care. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

There’s optimism amongst the country's chief financial officers.   Employment Agency Hunter Campbell's Mood of the CFO survey has found 57% of businesses have met or exceeded their revenue targets.   But 45% are concerned the world economy is going to deteriorate.   That figure's twice as high as last year's survey.   Hunter Campbell Managing Partner Lee Marshall told And...

Almost all New Zealanders chose to not opt out of increasing their KiwiSaver payments. Minimum contributions increased from 3 percent in April to 3.5, although people could remain at 3 percent if they wished.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's important the Government set out their direction to increase contributions further." "Setting the direction out now makes it clear where we're g...

Stock traders across the UK are hoping the next Prime Minister will lead to some much-needed stability. Sir Keir Starmer has set out his plan to resign as UK Prime Minister and says a successor will be in place by Parliament's return in September at the latest.   It means Downing Street will welcome its seventh leader in a decade. Financial Times Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher told Ryan Bridge...

The Greens say they've 'had words' with one of the country's most well-known economists over a maths mistake in its tax policy. It's issued a correction, saying the policy released yesterday will increase net revenue $5.15 billion dollars in the 2027/28 financial year - not $5.35 billion.  Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says consultancy Infometrics - headed by Brad Olsen - had the job of anal...