The SME Stream

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says the window for low mortgage rates has closed, with multiple Official Cash Rate hikes expected later this year following the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold the rate at 2.25% yesterday.  The RBNZ's Monetary Policy Statement said Official Cash Rate (OCR) increases would likely be required this year, predicting inflation would peak at 4.3% in the Septe...

Budget 2026 was unveiled today, and there's discussion about what these changes mean for Kiwi farmers. The Government's revealed it plans to extend the Waikato Expressway, and the 6-kilometre stretch will reach the intersection of State Highways One, and 29 at Piarere. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most households may not see any immediate direct benefit from the Budget.  It shows a return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year, a year sooner than previously forecast. The forecast uses the OBEGALx measure, which excludes ACC.     Infometrics Economist Brad Olsen says it might be a tad optimistic, given the state of the world, but we could maybe use some optimism.  The B...

Starlink has quickly become the hero – and potential hazard – of rural broadband in New Zealand.  In a few short years, Elon Musk’s low-Earth orbit satellite service has gone from curiosity to default option for many farms, small towns and remote communities that never made it onto the fibre map. It’s racked up 58,000 subscribers and generated around $100 million in re...

Energy security. Financial security. International security. Social cohesion.  These are the government’s priorities for Budget 2026 that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon laid out earlier this month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this Budget will lay out a clear plan. Where the country is now, where we're headed, and the road we'll take to get there. So, what should we look out fo...

The Reserve Bank Governor is feeling good about her captain's call to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%.  Anna Breman made the final decision after the six-member Monetary Policy Committee she chairs was evenly split on whether to hike the rate.  Breman says she understands the argument for hiking but told Mike Hosking she doesn't think now's the right time.  She says f...

A Former Finance Minister expects this year's Budget to invest in health, education, and defence – with cuts elsewhere.  Budget 2026 is being unveiled tomorrow, opening up the Government's books and detailing when a return to surplus is possible.  Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking re-prioritisation is the story of the week, and he's backing further cost-savings in the public sector.&n...

The Prime Minister ponders today’s OCR announcement, tomorrow’s Budget, Labour’s own goal over horses and ducks, and the NZ First threat in Hawke’s Bay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant slice of the NZX50 reports earnings this week, including heavyweights Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Ryman Healthcare and Goodman Property.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you can do something in KiwiSaver that will make people go that will make this a better place for my children, that's an effective political strategy'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Alexander, independent economist, joins the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank Governor says she's mindful of the weak economy, as she weighs up Official Cash Rate settings. Anna Breman made the final call to keep the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent today. The Monetary Policy Committee had been evenly split on hiking or holding, and is now signalling it'll go up in September. Breman says they consider the factors pushing inflation up, but also the weak economy...

Banks and economists expect the Official Cash Rate to hold at 2.25% despite global uncertainty.   It's the first OCR announcement since conflict erupted in the Middle East, with September the hot pick for when the rate will next lift.  Co-operative Bank CEO Mark Wilshire told Ryan Bridge he expects a cautious approach by both the Reserve Bank and the Government in the coming days.  ...

Accountants are hopeful the Government will use the Budget to do something about the secret little wealth tax those with offshore investments are currently paying. As it stands, most people with more than $50,000 directly invested in assets offshore, including shares in companies listed on stock exchanges, need to pay tax on a portion of the value of their investments, regardless of if they receiv...

The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the OCR on hold at 2.25 percent today. Most markets had priced in a hold, but the views on what will happen next are split, especially considering concerns around inflation.  Milford Asset Management's Remy Wisenberg explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with the senior journalist at BusinessDesk, as we say goodbye to the 2025/2026 dairy season, which he says was anything but dull. And tomorrow we find out Fontarra’s opening forecast milk price for the 26/27 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something doesn't really add up on business investment in this country, says Ryan Bridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, that Official Cash Rate decision is probably one of those moments where you find out whether you're a glass half-full or glass half-empty person. Because on the bright side, the Official Cash Rate didn’t go up. On the downside, it looks like it’s definitely going up next time. So yes, it’s a reprieve - but it’s only a reprieve for six weeks, excuse me, before the scre...

The Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.    It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑hea...

Thursday's Budget is being illed as 'grown-up' with no lolly scrambles under a cloud of tough choices ahead. But with rising mortgage costs and stubborn inflation, will the Government deliver something people can actually feel in their wallets? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack what’s been revealed ahead of Budget day and what might still be hiding in the numbers. Plus, are mortgage holders...

ConsumerNZ's Jon Duffy tells Herald NOW Business why Kiwis feel better about KiwiSaver even as many are dipping into savings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural lending specialist Rabobank expects the 2026-27 dairy season to be another strong one for farmgate milk prices, but says rising inflation will take its toll. After a string of strong Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, Rabobank expects a robust opening milk price from dairy co-op Fonterra of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg of milksolids for the 2026-27 season. However,  the bank said the inflatio...

An economist believes the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate today to control inflation.  The bank will release its first Monetary Policy Statement since war broke out in the Middle East, with most expecting it to hold at 2.25% and not rise until September.  But Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking inflation was already at 3.1% before the war, and we'll l...

Paul Spain from Gorilla Technology on the $24 billion hi-tech industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business NZ says a new loan scheme to help businesses ditch gas is a necessary step.    This year's Budget funds up to $1.2 billion in guaranteed bank loans to help businesses transition to renewables.  Potential losses are accounted for with $48 million set aside.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge it's still a loan business will need to pay back,...