The SME Stream

The Government says its new tough rules for pay equity claims will result in major taxpayer savings.   The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning.   It's caused an uproar, with many women and union groups opposed to the idea.   Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden told M...

You know them, you love them, you drink them and now you can get the inside scoop... with Holly McGrath the co-founder of Clean Collective ! Grab your Suntory Boss Coffee - It's brewed hot, chilled fast and perfect for an on-the-go podcast listen. In Episode 6, Georgia Patten sits down with Holly McGrath, the branding boss behind Clean Collective Drinks. They dive deep into the journey of building...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years. This is the first time they've shown inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not...

The state of foreign affairs across the globe could play into New Zealand's hands as it enters free trade negotiations.   A Government delegation has landed in the Indian capital to begin the process of securing an FTA.   Former Trade Minister Tim Groser told Mike Hosking he's never loved our chances, but the odds have changed.   He says the landscape has changed because of Donald T...

New Zealand's financial markets have taken a positive turn - following months of financial uncertainty.  Greg Smith from Devon Funds unpacked the factors behind these changes. 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 re...

Standalone homes, townhouses, and apartments - which is the most profitable?  CEO of Real Estate at Valocity joins Tim Beveridge to discuss property types and values.  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 relat...

Research by Shamubeel Eaqub finds only 32% of New Zealanders are satisfied with their financial situation, compared to 60% of Australians.  He finds higher wages and a more solid retirement plan relieves financial stress for Australians - but how can Kiwis take control of their finances to ease their worries?  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general inf...

Kiwis are pretty familiar with the idea of investing in property, but more often than not, it’s in houses, apartments, or other types of residential property.  But more and more people are asking if they should instead consider commercial property. This week, Nadine talks with CEO of property investment firm Rethink Group, and commercial property investor, Scott O’Neill, to discus...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  The US dollar is weakening, giving rise to other currencies. Is it about to be replaced as the world reserve currency? 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...

The next set of unemployment figures are due to be released next week - and speculation indicates they'll go up even higher. Unemployment was sitting at 5.1 percent at the end of last year, according to the data. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann speculates ahead of next week's release. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not fina...

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, budget day is looming but the cuts are already coming, good news for the unemployment rate with filled job numbers on...

New Zealand, like many smaller nations, has become deeply reliant on American technology platforms for everything from government operations to daily business functions.  In this week’s episode of The Business of Tech, Canadian journalist and author Paris Marx warns that this dependence is not just a matter of convenience, it’s a growing vulnerability that puts the country’s...

Although some towns are feeling the pinch after the opening of motorways that bypass their towns, not all are struggling.  More than 22,500 vehicles used to pass through Warkworth every day, but since the opening of the Ara Tūhono section of State Highway 1, businesses have reported a drop in business.  However, Ōtaki has been thriving since the opening of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressw...

US earnings season has started up again - and new reports indicate Donald Trump's tariffs are starting to bite. Companies across the US have reported shipping from China has taken a significant dip - the biggest reported since the Covid-19 pandemic. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only...

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is continuing to buy foreign currency assets to give it more firepower, should it need to intervene in the market during a crisis. The central bank sold a whopping $259 million of New Zealand dollars in March to buy assets, such as government bonds, linked to other currencies. The sale marked the second-largest foreign exchange-related transaction (or series of tran...

It’s been 100 days since Donald Trump was sworn in as US President.  His campaign was filled with promises of dramatic change, and he’s certainly followed through, with a record-breaking number of orders filed in the first three months.  The most dramatic of which is his sweeping global tariffs.  Quest Means Business host Richard Quest told Mike Hosking it goes against t...

You can’t say we weren’t warned Nicola Willis would be taking to government spending like a butcher to a fresh carcass. She’s been saying it for months.  Yesterday she halved the operating allowance to $1.3 billion. All this because she wants to do what she said she’s do, and that’s balance the books by 2029. The recession’s cut her tax take so you either p...

Employment data out today shows filled job numbers rose 0.2% in March. Primary industries led the growth up 04%. Infometrics Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon says it's a reason to get excited. “It’s to be celebrated after a fair period of decline.” LISTEN ABOVE. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional adv...

It may take two and a half men to complete some tasks but when it comes to creating a success men's skincare brand it takes two, of a certain kind of dude! Grab your Suntory Boss Coffee - It's brewed hot, chilled fast and perfect for an on-the-go podcast listen. Tomas from Two Dudes Skincare joins Georgia to chat all things investment, the process to getting into stores and elevating their marketi...

The first 100 days of the new Donald Trump administration have seen capital markets undergo a turbulent few months - but things appear to be stabilising. The tariffs have seen the markets take a noticeable dip, but things have turned the corner this week. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains the factors behind this. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain gene...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  In one season the AFC has grown from an idea into an entertainment empire. This episode takes you inside the organisation that took fandom to another level. 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 b...

It's a tough time for the markets and the volatility has been hard to keep track of.  The tariffs have obviously had an impact - but some experts say AI developments are also a contributor.  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 shar...

How long could you last if your income stopped tomorrow? Culd you handle a big, unexpected bill without going into debt? And how often do you worry about money?  Those are all metrics in the Financial Resilience Index, a survey on Kiwis’ money habits and stability - so what does it tell us, and crucially, what should we do with that information?  This week, Nadine is talking with t...

The stance may be softening in the trade war between China and the United States.  Last week US President Trump said the initial 145 percent tariffs wouldn't actually be that high.  China appears to now be mulling their imposed tariffs.  Greg Smiths of Devon Funs Management talks to Mike Hosking about the developments, the trade war's impact on the US economy and the good news for U...

Consumer confidence has gone back up - but new data indicates people are also worried about inflation. The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey shows consumer confidence rose 5 points to 98.3 in April - but inflation expectations soared 0.5pts to 4.7 percent, the highest reading since July 2023. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacked the factors contributing to this data. LISTEN ABOVE The p...