The SME Stream

New Zealand banks are being asked to pay up in the next few months.  Kiwibank, BNZ, Westpac, ANZ and ASB will need to repay around $9.2 billion in cheap Covid-era loans to the Reserve Bank.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that they have variety of options they can use to repay the money.  He says the banks knew when taking out these loans they’d h...

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] This episode takes you behind every aspect of Port of Auckland's 24/7 trade operation, including containers, coal, cruises and cars. Plus the CEO Roger Gray explains how price hikes are funding its expansion. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expresse...

We're two weeks away from Budget 2025, and the Government has been dropping hints about what we can expect. Prime Minister Luxon recently confirmed the Government will increase total capital expenditure allocated in the upcoming Budget by $400 million. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only,...

Encouraging investment is a top priority in this month's upcoming Budget, according to new reports. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says it'll come from a small number of measures, including more funding for a R&D tax credit. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard says New Zealand is currently one of the hardest OECD countries to invest in. She says the new agency, Invest New Zealand, is one...

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 unemployment rate stayed static, but is it actually good news? Talks are underway for a free trade agreeme...

Reuben Davidson, Labour’s new spokesperson for science, innovation, technology, broadcasting and the creative economy, isn’t shy about the scale of the challenges facing New Zealand’s high-value sectors, or the damage he says the current government is doing.  In this week’s episode of The Business of Tech, the former TV producer, who won the Christchurch East seat in t...

The unemployment rate has stayed static for another quarter.  Stats NZ figures just out show the rate remained at 5.1% in the March quarter.  The number of full-time workers fell by 45 thousand over the year and part-time employment grew by 25 thousand.  Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham today's figures are a surprise.  He says this is good news but i...

The Finance Minister admits many Kiwis aren't getting as much work as they'd like to be.  Unemployment has remained unchanged at 5.1% in the March quarter, despite most economists predicting a rise.  However, 21% of employed people are now working part time.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking the ongoing rise in the under-utilisation rate is a concern.  She says it's clear that s...

Kristine Bartlett was, to many, a hero.  She was a very likeable woman. She was a caregiver who argued her work was undervalued and she deserved more.  The Labour Party who love “feels” and are not exactly unfamiliar with the unions leapt all over it and the Equal Pay Act 2022 was born.  The downside was how to compare this so-called "underpaid work" like in nursing home...

A Government delegation has landed in the Indian capital to kick-start Free Trade Agreement talks.   The Prime Minister, along with several other ministers, visited India earlier this year to improve diplomatic ties.   India New Zealand Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla told Ryan Bridge India will hope to make movement in New Zealand easier for its people.   He says it will also...

The Government is urgently pushing through new legislation - lifting the threshold for pay-equity claims based on gender discrimination.  The Bill has already passed its first reading supported by all coalition parties and Parliament's moved swiftly onto the second.  These changes have prompted plenty of backlash, but Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden says there was an appetite for th...

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...