The SME Stream

Budget 2025 is set to be revealed to the nation tomorrow - and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has promised it will be a “No BS Budget” with “some surprises”. Willis will take a step towards unwinding the expansion of Government that accompanied (and followed) the pandemic - while growing the economy. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny outlines some questi...

A record number of businesses have sought advice about redundancies in the first three months of the year, according to new Employers and Manufacturers Association data. EMA’s AdviceLine received 403 queries from businesses on the topic of restructuring and redundancies last quarter - almost double that in the same period two years ago (204). EMA’s head of advocacy and strategy Alan Mc...

Demand's strong for bricks and mortar retail, despite the growth of online shopping.   JLL NZ's new report estimates almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years to keep up with our growing population.  It also finds customers prefer in-store shopping over e-commerce.   Research and Strategic Consultancy head Chris Dibble told Mike Hosking...

A strong primary sector performance has produced a billion-dollar monthly trade surplus - for the first time in five years. Stats NZ data reveals it sat on $1.4 billion dollars in April, compared with a $12 million dollar deficit for the same time last year. Export NZ Executive Director, Joshua Tan, says it's a team effort across the food and fibre sector. He says dairy, red meat, fruit and wood e...

Hints the foreign buyer ban could be lifted, but not yet.  OneRoof reports rumours have been swirling with some agents telling them politicians had told them a decision to reverse the 2018 Labour policy was imminent.  Act leader David Seymour and New Zealand First MP Andy Foster were mentioned, but both deny any confirmed changes.  Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosk...

The UK is hailing a new era of relations with Europe, as they seek closer ties on trade and defence. The new deal signals a resetting of ties with the European Union post-Brexit, and could mean significant trade benefits for Britain. It'll be easier to trade food across the border, and allow the UK to access EU funds for defence development. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this development puts a...

It's less than two days to go until Budget Day 2025, and experts are outlining their predictions. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hinted this won't be a 'lolly scramble' and plenty of cuts will have to take place. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further, LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or profess...

A new report from JLL says almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years, to meet demand. It says Kiwi consumers still value in-store shopping, despite the rise of online shopping. Retail NZ's Ann-Marie Johnson says told Ryan Bridge this shows there's a positive future for retail following a tough period for the industry. She says we've been through cycle...

Georgia Patten chats with  Shivana Pemberton, one of the founders of Four Words ! Grab your Suntory Boss Coffee - It's brewed hot, chilled fast and perfect for an on-the-go podcast listen. Georgia sits down with Shivana Pemberton , one of the visionary founders of  Four Words , New Zealand’s pioneering company that introduced lab-grown diamonds to the engagement ring industry. Shiv...

The Prime Minister says his Government is calling out bureaucrats falling foul of the government's expecations. It comes off the back of Winston Peters expressing his criticism of Māori targeted hires, after a government job was advertised as a “tikanga lead” to promote Māori customs, principles and values in the Māori policing unit. Luxon discusses whether the reason NZ First is seeki...

The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics. Prime Minister Chris Luxon made it clear earlier today that National will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee's recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament. Nicola Willis says this week is all about the Budget - which aims to a...

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand. Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra tax...

Moody's cut the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt and interest payments that outpace those of similar sovereigns.  The downgrade to 'Aa1' from 'Aaa' follows a change in the outlook on the sovereign in 2023 due to wider fiscal deficit and higher interest payments, according to new data. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the&nb...

The Government's budget will be announced this coming Thursday.  Taxpayers Union Director Jordan Williams and former Police Minister Stuart Nash join Politics Central for a special pre-budget panel.  They also discuss whether Parliaments standards have slipped, and if the punishment for Te Pāti Māori is severe or justified.  LISTEN ABOVE.  The podcasts in the SME Stre...

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and in this country, it can be really difficult to achieve.   For most of us, the most important first step is to qualify for a mortgage.  So, how do you improve your chances of getting the lending you need to be in the market, and what do you need to know about what you’ve signed up for? ...

The Government will officially announce its annual budget this Thursday. It comes as Wellington’s economy has been particularly hit hard over the past 12 months. The capital’s seen public service job cuts, people working from home and slow infrastructure. What does the city need from the budget? Business Central CEO Simon Arcus talks to Ryan Bridge ahead of the budget. LISTEN ABOVE. Th...

The rural community of members bill is looking to adjust the rules around KiwiSaver so that it can be used to buy a farm.  The change would also allow defence force personnel to get access to a first home.  National MP for Rangitīkei Suze Redmayne talks to Mike Hosking about the proposed changes.  LISTEN ABOVE.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general info...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] It’s been 6 months since I interviewed Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck. We have a lot to discuss following the space company’s Q1 earnings! 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...

The Green Party is suggesting an overhaul of the tax system in their alternative Budget.  It includes taxing wealth, inheritance, gifts, and private jet journeys, and they say it would bring in $88 billion in revenue over four years.   New income tax rates of 39% on income over $120,000 and 45% on income over $180,000 would be introduced, and the corporate tax rate would be raised to 33%...

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before.  Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year.  He explai...

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, the announcements keep coming as we barrel up to budget day, trade tensions ease between the US and China...

The Technology Users Association has issued a stark warning that New Zealand risks falling further behind in the global digital economy unless the government urgently reforms its approach to digital and technology skills, with a particular focus on vocational training.  In a wide-ranging interview on this week’s episode of The Business of Tech , TUANZ CEO Craig Young expressed deep frus...

This week, chief executive of the NZ Super Fund, Jo Townsend, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann - from her upbringing in rural Tasmania in the 1970s, to working on the trading floors in Sydney, to getting into the super industry.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions express...

The Opposition Leader's welcoming Government investment into school attendance.  $140 million from this year's Budget will go towards a new system and better data monitoring.  Labour leader Chris Hipkins wanted truancy officers reintroduced two years ago when he was PM.  Hipkins told John MacDonald it's clear disbanding the previous truancy service in 2012 was the wrong decision.&nb...

It's been a memorable year for financial markets so far - but experts have noted that the NZX appears to have calmed down. After President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day', the NZX took a significant dip, but the markets appear to have shaken off the impact caused by the tariffs. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain...