The SME Stream

The pressure on New Zealand's labour market continues to tighten, with job ads falling for the third consecutive month. Despite these grim figures, one expert has noticed there's light at the end of the tunnel for the economy Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advic...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Our savings pool is growing but our stock market is shrinking. Why wealth firms are investing money offshore instead. 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 liable for any losses result...

Industry professionals feel it will take more than a tipline to uncover where the problems lie in infrastructure.   The Ministry of Regulation has created a red tape tipline, where people can report their 'regulation horror stories'.   Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett says it's a good way to get the public involved.   He told Mike Hosking regulation is adding massive cost to...

Investment markets have recovered significantly over the past two years following a weak 2022.  And, Donald Trump winning the U.S. election is bound to have impacts on New Zealand's markets and the U.S. dollar.  Director and Head of Multi Asset & Global Investment at Harbour Asset Management, Chris Di Leva joins.  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, no...

The Government's taking a new approach to Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure projects.   There will be a reduced risk for private partners and guidance for agencies on how to lower the cost and time burden in the bidding process.  Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett was Mayor of Porirua, when a Public-Private Partnership was established to build Transmission Gully. ...

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, retail spend numbers are out, we unpack the impact of the US election on our economy and the i...

Last year, we prematurely dubbed 2023 the year of AI but how could we have know what 2024 would bring. Generative AI has solidified it's position in the pantheon of disruptive technologies as hype settled into pragmatism and tech talent across the world put it to work. We've assembled three AI experts from across NZ's industry to talk about the year in AI that was, and look ahead at what to expect...

It's been a week since Donald Trump won the US election - and the markets underwent a shift once the results became clear.  Small to medium-sized businesses have picked up - and they're expecting to see a boost driven by proposed tax cuts and fewer regulations. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor unpacked the results further. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information on...

Economists are warning that NZ may have to downgrade its economic outlook as a result of Donald Trump’s re-election.  Analysts from BMI have revised down our growth forecast from 2% to 1.8% for next year.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Heather du Plessis-Allan it is not just the proposed tariffs that are causing the outlook.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain ...

Retailers continue to struggle along as many watch every penny spent.  Electronic card spending data showed a 1.1% fall in October compared to last year. September was down 5.6%.  As retailers brace for the most important season of the year, Chief Executive at Retail NZ Carolyn Young tells Heather du Plessis-Allan it may be a tough period of time.  LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream cont...

Gen Z can be credited with a few things – an uptick in climate awareness, the ability to work any kind of technology, and the revival of straight leg jeans, just to name a few. However, recruiters across the ditch in Australia have spoken out about Gen Z graduates’ demands on employers –saying their arrogant expectations are leaving a bad taste in their bosses’ mouths. The oldest of the generation...

The Finance Minister says she's not jumping to conclusions on whether New Zealand will be affected by potential Donald Trump Administration tariffs.  The president-elect has proposed tariffs of up to 20 percent on imported goods from most trading partners.  Nicola Willis says the current trade settings with US seem to be working.  "It's clear the Americans like what we're selling. Equally, we impo...

The markets have reacted strongly to Donald Trump returning for his second term in the White House. The US dollar, stocks and bitcoin all surged after his win - but experts are wondering if this will continue. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners unpacked some likely outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice....

Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election win on New Zealand markets.  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 not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcast...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Stocks and Bitcoin are rallying following Donald Trump's comeback – here's what could be primed for more growth under his Presidency. 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 liable for a...

We're diving into data with Snowflake's New Zealand country manager Tony Shaw. Shaw shares how any size of organisation can benefit from data analytics and AI, emphasising the importance of having high-quality, consolidated information to drive business outcomes.  He also talks generative AI and the role that good data practice has in realising its potential and mitigating risks. Plus, tech under...

Donald J. Trump will become the 47th President of the United States of America. Democrat Kamala Harris called the former president to congratulate him and offer their support for a peaceful transition of power. Trump won’t take up office until January 20 next year – and there are a few things that’ll happen between now and then. He faces sentencing for his felony conviction for a start, that’s put...

Kiwi start-up Recorp, backed up by some of New Zealand's biggest names in business, has opened up its new aluminium facility. The company is promising to be the most innovative can producer in New Zealand - and a direct threat to Australian competitors. Chair Rob Fyfe says it's a huge relief to get the company up and running. "I've been going for three years, a lot of money - and it's just, in the...

Donald Trump is set to return to the White House - leaving economists everywhere to wonder what comes next. Trump won't take office until next January, but his proposed policies regarding business, trade and tariffs have people guessing. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains it could be an interesting four years. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general informati...

Kiwis are being warned to prepare for a more challenging trade environment as Donald Trump returns to the White House.  Trump has proposed a tariff of up to 20% on all imported goods, with China potentially receiving special treatment and a tariff of up to 60%.   New Zealand exports about $8 billion worth of goods to the US every year, and tariffs could have a significant impact.  Damien O’Connor...

The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high after Donald Trump swept through the battleground states and won the presidency. Despite the race starting off too close to call, markets picked up after Trump was determined the winner of the election. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what happens next. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financi...

World trade is ramping up rapidly ahead of the changeover of power to Donald Trump.  The US President Elect has campaigned on an agenda of increased protectionism, with tariffs of up to 20% on all imports.  He's also planning higher tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially setting the stage for another trade war.  Mainfreight managing director Don Braid told Mike Hosking that if tariffs are applied,...

Rosemary Banks – remember that name. She now has one of the most important jobs for New Zealand – a potentially $2 billion job. She's woman in Washington DC, our ambassador to the United States. Her mission: get us an exemption from Trump's tariffs. The scale of the problem: massive. Early estimates show that at 20% it could cost us $1.7 billion every year. Total exports currently $8.8 billion. It...

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, the unemployment rate is up, but not as high as we expected, what the red republican wave means for t...

While there are signs of light at the end of the economic tunnel, the job market is likely to remain tough for a little while yet.  The unemployment rate has risen to 4.8%.  It's lower than expected as more people are leaving the labour force, many opting for retraining or retirement instead.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking unemployment is likely to keep rising, as it always lags...