The SME Stream

2025 is halfway over - so how are the global markets holding up, and what can investors expect for the second half of the year? Several key markets have delivered decent returns so far, but Trump's 'Liberation Day' delivered a turbulent period. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, no...

Woolworths says it takes a community effort to curb retail crime.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has unveiled the plan for Police to issue infringement fines for people stealing - similar to speeding tickets.  It is based on suggestions from the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group.  Woolworths Retail and Franchise Director Jason Stockill told Ryan Bridge the announcement is an...

Business NZ's Advocacy Director says Invest New Zealand is looking to hire people with an array of international connections.  The government organisation's been given $85 million over four years to work with global investors to create jobs, boost innovation, and lift productivity.  Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge potential employees should be well-connected around the world.  She...

The Māori Millionaire Te Kahukura Boynton is a young wahine on a mission to change not just her own money mindset and financial trajectory, but that of her people.  At just 21, she is a podcaster, entrepreneur and now the author of Māori Millionaire – A Beginner’s Guide to Building Better Money Habits. She joins Nadine this week to talk her journey, how close she is to becoming a...

The Prime Minister is talking up our economic prospects - in challenging global times. He's just returned from meeting leaders in China and Europe, as mid-east tensions reached boiling point. Chris Luxon says we are throwing everything at boosting trade links so we can continue to grow. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan discussed further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Str...

Positive signs when it comes to consumer arrears, but some businesses are still doing it tough.  The latest Centrix data for June shows the number of people behind on payments is down on last year, for the fifth consecutive month in a row.  At the same time company liquidations have risen 27% year-on-year.  Chief Operating Officer Monika Lacey says that's partly due to increased enf...

New employment data reveals work-life balance is the top reason people leave their job. Additionally, more people are working past the retirement age. Are these new attitudes, or has it been growing? What's the workforce like today?  Tim Beveridge speaks to Employment Relations Expert Max Whitehead... LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only,...

In this interview, Craig Piggott gives advice to entrepreneurs on raising US$100m from Silicon Valley venture capital firms that have backed Airbnb, Meta & Stripe. 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...

IRD reports that New Zealand will need to restructure the tax system to fund the superannuation. Capital gains tax could be on the table, and even a GST hike from 15%. What sort of adjustments should we expect? Is there any other way to fund the super? Tim Beveridge talks to PwC Tax Policy Leader, Sandy Lau... LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information o...

How do you feel about the prospect of paying higher income tax rates and more GST?   I think it’s inevitable. So does the Inland Revenue Department. Because of our ageing population.    Especially if people think we can have a whole lot more of us 65 and over —which is going to happen— and still provide the same level of assistance and support that is provided now....

Shoplifting and trespassing laws are expected to get a revamp this week.  Newstalk ZB understands policy changes relating to Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group recommendations are imminent. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith's previously labelled current trespassing laws as not fit for purpose.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge the changes should deal with recid...

A draft Inland Revenue briefing supports lifting the GST rate if required - and notes tax credits could help people on lower incomes. The IRD briefing also brought up the lack of a capital gains tax, but did not endorse any specific view on it. Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Heather du Plessis-Allan that lifting GST is a fast and efficient way to raise revenue. But he says while quick, it's much...

There's excitement over expected changes to the way authorities deal with retail crime.  Newstalk ZB understands Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith will be confirming shoplifting policy changes this week, relating to Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group recommendations.  Group Chair Sunny Kaushal told Mike Hosking that the announcements are ones retailers across the country have been scr...

On July 1st, a series of changes are due to be implemented by the Government – and some of them will have a direct impact on your day to day. Notably, all rental properties in New Zealand must comply with healthy home standards, six years after that became law under the Labour Government. One Labour law change hasn’t survived though – that Government’s blanket speed limit r...

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. This week, could the government’s 'golden visa' be the economy’s golden ticket? Oil prices take a tumble following I...

This week, Liam is joined by entrepreneur Derek Handley to discuss his varied career in the tech and startup space and how that has changed over the last two decades, and why he is now trying to get young people into their first homes faster with his latest venture, Aera. And he weighs in on the future of AI and our jobs, and his feelings about politics after the public controversy over the Labour...

This week on The Business of Tech podcast, we unpack the sixth annual 2degrees Shaping Business Study , a barometer for the mood and ambitions of Kiwi business leaders as we hit the midpoint of 2025.  The headline? Optimism is back, at its highest level since the research began, with more New Zealand companies describing themselves as thriving rather than just surviving. Optimism on the rise...

New reports reveal the Government did get lobbied by the Banking Association over a proposed law change to prevent costly class action lawsuits. Minister Scott Simpson claimed this wasn't the case earlier - and claimed the banks hadn't called for it.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain gene...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Craig Piggott left Rocket Lab to build cow collars and create a virtual fencing company - now Halter's technology is digitising farms and ranches around the world. Come with me to check out the company's progress in Colorado! The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any...

According to one expert, last week's GDP figures are a sign New Zealand's economy is on the up. Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further, LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expres...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] The enterprise software company DataDog is investing almost US$1b a year into artificial intelligence. Can it ride the AI wave to a higher valuation, like it did with cloud infrastructure? The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts ar...

New Zealanders are among the most underinsured in the OECD, according to the Financial Services Council.   We insure our cars, our houses and our other stuff, but not what is arguably our biggest asset - ourselves.  Givealittle fundraisers for families that have hit hard times and need help have become increasingly common. But is insurance the answer, and if so, why don’t more...

GDP figures just out are stronger than economists had forecast.  Stats NZ says New Zealand's gross domestic product grew 0.8% in the March quarter – overtaking predictions of 0.7%.  It follows a 0.5% increase the quarter before.  Herald Business Editor-at-Large Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham it could mean the OCR won't get another cut next month.  He says it raises the odds...

The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying. Experts also believes markets are likely to drop further if the US gets more involved in the conflict. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains the market impact of the conflict. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not f...

New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not...