The SME Stream

New Zealand's out of recession, but many Kiwis could take a while to feel better off.  Our economy grew by 0.7% in the December quarter – surpassing all economists' expectations.  But unemployment's expected to keep rising this year, and many households are still doing it tough.  Council of Trade Unions Economist Craig Renney told Francesca Rudkin that confidence in the New Ze...

Buying shares at the bottom of the market isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Instead, Ed McKnight offers a few ideas on what to do instead.  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 related entities. BNZ is no...

Negotiations on a free trade deal with India have been launched.  Representatives across defence, tourism, and trade are home after travelling with the Prime Minister's delegation.   New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Chief Executive Peter Chrisp told Mike Hosking there's good-will on both sides to make it work.  He says there's was considerable warmth and engagement between the Pri...

While I was away tramping all over the top of the Coromandel Peninsula, we had some good and bad news.  GDP came out better than we expected with a rise of 0.7% in the fourth quarter, which should signal the start of green shoots and recovery and confidence.   But at the same time, the consumer confidence figure came out and it was the worst we’ve seen since the 90s.   And the...

In this bonus episode of  The SME Stream , brought to you by BNZ, host Wilhelmina Shrimpton sits down with Jody Blackford a BNZ Small Business Partner and Sarah Lindsay, owner and founder of the Auckland based pilates and yoga studio Sala to discuss finance and capital management, offering expert insights on building your business from the ground up. The podcasts in the SME Stream c...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  Pacific Equity Partners went on an A$5 billion business buying spree before Christmas. Its managing director explains the big opportunity ahead for private equity firms, from corporate carve-outs to sovereign wealth funds. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. A...

A big bounce back for our economy, despite many sectors still doing it tough. New Zealand's officially out of technical recession, with new GDP figures showing our economy grew 0.7% between October and December. Economists had predicted a growth rate of just 0.3-to-0.5%. NZ Herald Business Editor Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham while some areas still look gloomy, the bounce back from tourism and agri...

The Finance and Growth Minister is confident the economic turnaround will continue.  Latest figures show we're officially out of recession, after our economy grew 0.7% between October and December.  Nicola Willis says we're going to continue to see growth in tourism and agriculture exports.  She told Mike Hosking households should also be getting more disposable income as they switc...

New Zealand's out of recession, but many Kiwis could take a while to feel better off.  Our economy grew by 0.7% in the December quarter – surpassing all economists' expectations.  But unemployment's expected to keep rising this year, and many households are still doing it tough.  Council of Trade Unions Economist Craig Renney told Francesca Rudkin that confidence in the New Ze...

New Zealand has climbed out of a recession as the economy grew 0.7% in the December quarter.  The outcome was better than economists predicted and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pleased with the results.  What are the chances of the number being revised down again later?  New Zealand Herald Business Editor Liam Dann answers all the important questions with Tim Beveridge.  LI...

There's anticipation more homeowners will change their borrowing behaviour this years. 90% of home loans were floating or fixed for less than a year in January.  But CoreLogic forecasts borrowers will fix for longer as interest rates come down.  Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson told Francesca Rudkin it's anecdotal at this point, but believes February data will prove it's happeni...

New Zealand is officially out of the worst recession since 1991. New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.7% in the December 2024 quarter, following a 1.1% decrease in the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Tim Beveridge about the turning point. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain...

A boost for Central Otago business when the inaugural Ayrburn Classic rolls into Arrowtown this weekend.  Hundreds of vintage and luxury cars will be on show at the 160-year-old farm, which has recently become a hospitality hub.  The event's taken inspiration from overseas festivals like Pebble Beach in California.  Ayrburn Owner Chris Meehan told Mike Hosking the land was a sheep p...

If you accept that the Government are struggling in the polls, you may well accept the general notion that part of what is driving that is the lack of runs on the board.  Perhaps an impatience is frustrating some of us.  We voted to get rid of the last lot on the understanding that things had been wrecked and destroyed, and there was this new lot that were going to put it right.  Th...

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. In this weekly wrap, great news for businesses as we finally come out of recession, can Christopher Luxon’s trade mission...

18 councils and three council-controlled organisations have recently had their credit ratings downgraded by S&P Global Ratings. The credit rating agency has expressed concern that councils aren't receiving enough revenue to cover rising costs, including investment in infrastructure.   NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in...

In 2022, the Government signed an historic agreement granting Māori a share of radio spectrum suitable for 5G mobile services and a 20% share of all future commercial radio spectrum rights. As the Chief Executive Officer of Tū Ātea, Antony Royal is putting that 5G spectrum to good use, with a major project underway to build and deploy the country's first commercial private 5G network. On The...

The US stock market is still undergoing a turbulent period, with more investors aiming to cut their losses. Donald Trump's tariffs still loom large over the market, with numbers dipping into the red after a short rebound. Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or pr...

There’s a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed.  A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed.  It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees.  Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship...

The OECD has downgraded its outlook for the global economy as a result of President Trump's escalating trade wars. Canada and Mexico are predicted to see the biggest impact, with Canada's growth outlook being halved and Mexico being expected to see a recession. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  This episode takes you inside one of the largest privately owned data centre operations in Australia and the story of how one entrepreneur built the A$17b business from nothing. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not...

The Finance Minister's dropped a few crumbs on what's shaping this year's budget. Nicola Willis will unveil her growth budget on May 22. She says the public service won't get more funding, for doing the same thing. Willis says there's only more money if people are going to benefit from additional services - or improved impact from those services. But she says she won't be doing away with entire de...

Nearly one billion dollars is still owed as the deadline for Covid-era loans approaches.  Inland Revenue says many Small Business Cashflow loans will default in June if not paid off.   About 130,000 businesses were issued the loans, totalling $2.4 billion.   ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking he's not surprised so many owners haven't paid it back yet....

Is it worth working after the age of 65? Or is it more of a need than a choice?  Martin Hawes joins The Weekend Collective to discuss the finances of retirement.  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 related en...

New data from CoreLogic shows we're at the best level of property affordability since before Covid.  While rent costs are waiting to catch up, the difference between mortgages and annual salaries is closing in.  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are...