The SME Stream

Experts from Australia and New Zealand are meeting with leaders in Malaysia to discuss how to improve business and security. The three groups are expected to discuss new opportunities and challenges - and outline new solutions. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained what could come out of these discussions. LISTEN ABOVE  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only...

Fletcher Building's chief executive and board faced up to some very disappointed shareholders at today's annual general meeting. Company chief executive Andrew Reding revealed margins were under pressure - with revenue down 12 percent in September versus 7 percent down in July and August, compared to the year earlier. NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander was at the meeting, and he noted t...

New research has revealed pipfruit export growth is outstripping national export growth.  The industry contributed just under $2 billion to New Zealand's economy last year.  Export value increased from $347 million in 2012 to more than $892 million in 2023.  Apple and Pears chairperson Lesley Wilson told Mike Hosking the regional impacts are huge.  She says they're the third-highest contributor to...

Kiwi start-up Nature Baby is looking to expand into the US market again. What started as a small business operating out of an Auckland flat has grown into a multi-million dollar business - and co-owners Jacob and Georgia Faull are looking to re-launch the brand overseas. Jacob says the brand's not immune to the effects of the current economic downturn - but the 'green shoots' in the economy are gi...

The Royal College of GPs says registration fast-tracks will mean someone coming to New Zealand won't have to wait months.  The Medical Council's introducing faster registrations for doctors with specialist qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and Australia.   It comes after Australia introduced something similar for GPs from here, the UK, and Ireland.   College of GPs President Samantha Murton tol...

The Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce says widening the region's key road will benefit everyone.   The Hawke's Bay Expressway is being upgraded from two lanes to four as part of the Roads of National Significance programme.  The route carries 29,000 vehicles a day, including those transporting goods to and from the Napier port.  Chamber Chief Executive Karla Lee told Mike Hosking it's well past its...

Small business affairs Minister Andrew Bayly has found himself in hot water after a member of the public complained he swore at, mocked and ridiculed him during a ministerial visit. The Prime Minister’s office has released a letter from the complainant which alleges Minister Bayly repeatedly called the person a loser and made an ‘L’ sign with his fingers on his forehead. Andrew Bayly has “unreserv...

Financial adviser and coach Hannah McQueen joins Tim Beveridge to discuss how to split your mortgage to pay as little as possible in the long run.  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 resu...

The latest interest rate was announced this week - 2.2%, the lowest in 3.5 years.  Property commentator Ashley Church joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impact property has on inflation rates.  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 e...

MicroStrategy executive chairman Michael Saylor explains how investors should analyse his company that’s valued at more than double its underlying Bitcoin assets. 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 re...

According to new reports, one in four New Zealand adults have bought something off Temu in the last three months. The Chinese e-retailer, alongside similar fast-fashion giant Shein, has experienced a significant rise in popularity thanks to cheap prices and free shipping. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this boom in demand is harming traditional retailers, who are experiencing lo...

Social Development Minister Louise Upston isn't worried by the increase in Kiwis relying on the benefit. The Ministry of Social Development released numbers for the last quarter - showing nearly 205,000 people were receiving Jobseeker support, a 12.8 percent increase in a year.  Upston says more unemployment is common during an economic downturn - but she's pleased to note more people have cancell...

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, inflation is down - so does that mean things are actually cheaper, and what can we expect from next m...

WNT Ventures has reached ten years of taking the crunchy stuff we call deep tech and helping turn it into companies and financial returns. With successes like Foundry Lab, Mint Innovation and Carbon Crop in its portfolio, WNT Ventures has made an indelible mark on the country's deep tech scene. The firm's managing partner, Carl Jones, joins the podcast to look back on an industry that has grown at...

Tauranga businesses are furious about what they label harsh outdoor dining fees following a tough winter.  They've been waived for the rest of 2024, but in the new year businesses must pay an annual charge based on outdoor dining area.   In Mount Maunganui it will be $150 per square metre used, which compares to Auckland, where the highest fee is $154 a square metre.   Black Orchid Collective Cafe...

Inflation is continuing to fall and interest rates are likely to follow suit.  The inflation rate has dropped to 2.2 percent.  It's the first time in more than three years it's returned to the Reserve Bank's 1-3% target range.  The Herald's Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham the markets are now pricing in a 100% chance the Reserve Bank will cut the OCR at least 50 basis points next month.  He says there...

Australia's Government is set to ban debit card surcharges as part of an economic crackdown designed to bring financial relief amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Over on this side of the Tasman, the coalition Government has hinted New Zealand may follow suit and cap surcharge fees for debit and credit cards.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says he's committed to making sur...

There's pressure growing for the Reserve Bank to move more aggressively on the Official Cash Rate. New Zealand's inflation rate is officially back on target, at 2.2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says that although the Reserve Bank has recently cut the OCR - it's still higher than it should be. He says the Bank probably needs to slash the rate faster than it originally intende...

The housing market remains subdued across the country, with slightly weaker prices, more stock available and houses taking longer to sell. New data from the Real Estate Institute (REINZ) shows the national median fell 2.3 percent, to $781,000. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says prices are likely to stay low - despite recent cuts to interest rates. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME ...

There's ongoing concerns for the construction sector, with fewer new builds being considered.  Corelogic's latest construction index shows just a 1.1% increase in cost during the September quarter.   Overall cost growth remains subdued, reflecting an easing of pressure for labour and materials.  Combined Building Supplies Co-op chair Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking the increase in land costs isn't a...

I think we need to get over ourselves here in New Zealand when it comes to foreign investment. And it looks like we’re going to have to get over ourselves - whether we want to or not - with the Government’s plan to make it easier for foreign investors to buy New Zealand companies and properties. The way I’d describe it is that, at the moment, the Government thinks we treat overseas investors as if...

There's more criticism of central city roadworks in Wellington. Retail NZ, Hospitality NZ and the Bus and Coach Association are asking the council to review its Golden Mile pedestrianizing project. A number of businesses say roadworks and cycleway projects have forced them to close. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says it's 'disappointing' that mayor Tory Whanau says the Golden Mile is a b...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! ASB's CEO is advocating for more taxes in New Zealand to pay for the infrastructure deficits. This comes after ANZ's Antonia Watson advocated for a capital gains tax. Can we find a better solution?  It's been one year since the lat...

One Kiwi investor believes more New Zealand businesses should be putting money aside in order to expand internationally. Phase One CEO Mahesh Muralidhar says this would boost the nation's GDP and add to the economy. He says Kiwis have plenty of entrepreneurial ability - but they lack the ability to see scale like their international counterparts.  "The same entrepreneur, the same university studen...

This week the Reserve Bank of New Zealand dropped the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points to 4.75%.  Also, the number of one person households have increased by 120,000 over the past decade, but less than 30% of new builds are one or two bedrooms.  Debbie Roberts is a financial adviser at Property Apprentice and she joins Tim Beveridge to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the ...