The SME Stream

The Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner recently penned an opinion piece in defence of DEI amid ongoing concerns about the measures. Winston Peters and Judith Collins have taken aim against these policies, with Collins aiming to remove diversity requirements from the Public Service Act. Gail Pacheco revealed how DEI standards can boost productivity. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Str...

The IRD is set to be cracking down harder on those who don't pay their taxes properly, and they've unveiled new measures for people who ignore correspondence. The department will start taking money out of people's bank accounts if they owe over a certain amount - and they've recovered at least $17 million so far. The IRD's Tony Morris says they aim to phone people at least twice before they start...

Fletcher Building's issued a gloomy trading update, marked with trading slumps, market falls and low sales volumes. The company's now aiming for a further $100 million dollars in cost cuts. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in t...

An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023. 50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands. It's one thing to be spending less on non-essentials, eating less, or wearing cheaper clothes, but sometimes that can chip away at our mental hea...

We like to think about money in terms of simple maths: earn more, spend less, invest the difference. But the main influence on your bank balance goes beyond just whats coming in and going out. The Money Mentalist, financial coach Lynda Moore, joins Nadine to discuss how our money mindset is what sets the tone for our entire relationship with finance. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain&nbs...

The Reserve Bank's continuing to walk a fine line, with its move to cut the OCR 50-basis points to 2.5%.  Economic data suggests inflation has now hit 3%.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is blaming rising rates, saying they’re having a disproportionate impact on overall inflation, whereas other sectors are stabilising.  NZ Herald Business Editor Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham we...

Hopes for an economic recovery have been given a significant boost by yesterday's decision from the Reserve Bank to frontload cuts to the official cash rate. The RBNZ delivered a 50 basis point cut to the OCR and indicated it was prepared to cut again in November if required. After that, they're kind of starting to run out of ammo.    Dropping mortgage interest rates though is not the pa...

Artificial intelligence technology continues to attract attention from investors, but there's growing concerns over an 'AI bubble' situation. Officials at the Bank of England recently flagged the risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not f...

The Reserve Bank's cut the OCR 50-basis-points to 2.5%, despite acknowledging inflation is above or almost above where they'd like it.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they've factored in broader economic conditions.  She says the central bank clearly thinks any fluctuation in inflation will be constrained by spare capacity in the economy.  Labour's Finance Spokesperson Barbara...

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, another mammoth cut to the OCR but is it enough to bring our economy back to life, NZ Post is in for a shake up, and...

Wellington artist and animator Chelfyn Baxter has turned the darkest year of his life into a pioneering experiment in human-AI partnership, one fuelled by grief, healing, creativity and ethical ambition. In this week’s episode of The Business of Tech podcast, airing during Mental Health Awareness Week, Baxter shares how the sudden loss of his wife and creative collaborator, Helen, led to the...

For the final episode of season eight,  Liam is joined by Money Talks producer Jane Yee to look back at the best bits of the show for 2025.    A huge thanks to all our guests for sharing their money journeys with us. Thanks also to editor Richard Martin for bringing the show to life. See you in 2026! The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial...

The Finance Minister says she's okay with a short spike in inflation.  The Reserve Bank has slashed the cash rate 50-basis-points to 2.5% and is leaving the door open to further cuts.  It expects inflation to reach or surpass 3% in the short term but believes the economy is weak enough to push inflation back down again next year.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking we won't see another...

The biggest upshot of the latest OCR cut is likely to be the boost to consumer confidence.  The Reserve Bank's slashed the cash rate by 50-basis-points to 2.5%.  Major banks are responding by lowering floating and flexible rates after already lowering their fixed-term rates in recent days.  ABC Business Sales Chief Executive Chris Small told Mike Hosking businesses will benefit more...

The Reserve Bank has cut the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, despite acknowledging inflation is still above where they'd like it. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they've factored in broader economic conditions. She says the central bank clearly thinks any fluctuation in inflation will be constrained by spare capacity in the economy. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper...

The Reserve Bank today slashed the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, prompting markets to make readjustments. This recent cut wasn't full priced in, and it's got some experts re-thinking their OCR outlooks ahead of the end of the year. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial ...

Good news - the Reserve Bank has finally done the thing many of us thought was necessary, and they've gone for a double cut in the OCR of 50 basis points. That's the good news. The bad news is that they've been forced to do it because they didn't do it earlier, as in, they haven't cut as quickly as they should have. I mean, think back to July when they actually chose not to cut at all, which...

Ever wonder why some entrepreneurs stay stuck making $2-3K/month for YEARS while others replace their salary in 6-12 months? It's not luck or a better idea - it's strategy. In this episode, I break down the exact roadmap for transitioning from side hustle to full-time business, including: ✨ The mindset shifts that separate side hustlers from business owners ✨ Why most people plateau at $3K/month...

The Reserve Bank is expected to cut the Official Cash Rate today, but how deeply it will cut remains to be seen. Markets are pricing in the cut as a certainty, but the debate is now on how big it will be. So, what could a cut mean for mortgage holders and the average Kiwi? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann is with us to dive into the Reserve Bank’s upcomi...

Trade Minister Todd McClay has confirmed trade negotiations with India are progressing - but there's still a ways to go. New Zealand and Indian trade negotiators met in Queenstown last month for a third round of formal negotiations for a free trade agreement. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financi...

Former All Black Mils Muliaina is set to trade rugby fields for the boardroom as he steps into his new role. He recently joined the Auckland Business Chamber board, becoming its first Pasifika director in the organisation's history. Mils Muliaina says this new role came to him as a surprise, but he's welcoming the new opportunity.  "I'm supposed to provide a voice for the communities, especia...

The Auckland Business Chamber’s bracing for the new incentive to encourage more teens to join its youth employment programme. It uses its business network to connect them with jobs. Chief Operating Officer Leah Gates says it's tough right now for teens. "And in a tight labour market, they're disproportionately affected and they're competing against more experienced workers." LISTEN ABOVE The...

The best way to get the most out of your credit card? Cut it up. That’s the advice from Luke Kemeys, accountant and host of the ‘Keep the Change’ podcast. Luke joins Nadine to share the reasoning behind his controversial opinion.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the pod...

Auckland city centre store owners believe homelessness, anti-social behaviour and not enough police is crippling their trade. Heart of the City surveyed 102 business owners - with 91 percent saying rough sleeping and begging was affecting their business. Seventy-two percent weren't satisfied with the standard of Queen Street's cleanliness. Chief Executive Viv Beck says enough is enough - and it's...

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 government moves to supercharge the energy sector, but is it enough to bring down prices? Property prices in...