The SME Stream

Election Year is off and running with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation address.  We should know the election date later this week.  What we do know is the theme of National’s campaign: “Fixing the basics and building the future”.  Not a shock. It’s a variation of the way they’ve positioned themselves for a while. The party that concentrates on the need to haves and not the ni...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined her goals for the new year, as the Government prepares for the upcoming 2026 election. Willis is hoping Kiwi voters will see the benefits of re-electing a National-led Government so that they can feel rewarded for their hard work. She says the economy grew as a whole last year, and voters can hope to see more in 2026. "So we see more job creation, more o...

Chocolate products could be in for a shake-up, as manufacturers race to develop cocoa alternatives. A Rabobank report shows food companies are looking into new technologies to substitute traditional beans. Climate-related pressures are driving up global cocoa prices, and disrupting supply chains. RaboResearch analyst Paul Joules says companies will look into fermenting plants like oats and seeds f...

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech.  Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre.  Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and...

The no-consent granny flat law changes came in this week.  That means you can build an up-to-70sqm dwelling in your backyard without having to ask the council if you're allowed to.  Getting one set up on your property would set you back at least $200,000, but the question on minds of anyone with enough space for something like this is - how much value will it add?  They can be rente...

Don Brash says everyone should be concerned about political interference regarding matters at America's central bank.  US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he's now embroiled in a criminal investigation because he didn't cut interest rates as much as Donald Trump wanted.  Trump denies involvement but is standing by calls for Powell to be replaced.  RBNZ Governor Anna Breman s...

Retail New Zealand's Chief Executive says the closure of Australian retailer EB Games would have a wide-reaching impact.   The Australian video-game retailer's proposing shutting its 38 New Zealand stores and its Distribution Centre.  Staff reportedly have until Monday to feed back on the plan.  Retail NZ's Carolyn Young told Andrew Dickens the retail climate's been really challengi...

New Zealand may be in for a more positive property market in the new year.   Cotality’s January Home Value Index shows that property values were down 1% in 2025 – a drop of 17% from the 2022 peak.  Regional performance varied, with Aukland and Wellington remaining weak, but Southland districts and provincial centres such as New Plymouth and Queenstown seeing increases.   Cotality’s...

Should the ultra-wealthy pay more tax? It’s a debate that’s continued for decades, even centuries. From Ancient Athens to present day, the idea has been a constant when it comes to addressing inequality. Yet, no government has been brave enough to impose one. It’s a staple of the Green Party’s proposed Budget, which promises bold moves to make sure everyone has a warm home,...

Fuel providers NPD and Gull announced a proposed merger of the two entities on Wednesday, December 24. The decision now sits with the Commerce Commission as they decide if the merger will increase or decrease competition in the market. Both companies are already low-cost providers, so, it is hoped the proposed merge could lower prices for consumers. Customers have been awaiting a fuel price drop f...

Is New Zealand’s largest city dying? Auckland is home to roughly a third of the entire country’s population and is predicted to grow even bigger in the coming years. The City of Sails is, by far, the largest contributor to New Zealand’s economic output, generating about 40% of GDP. But, walk down many of the inner-city streets, and you’ll see vacant lots – with a lot...

The Trade Minister claims our new Free Trade Agreement with India, is its best deal struck with any country. It's followed nine months of negotiations, ending with India agreeing to lower or remove tariffs on 95-percent of our exports, with wins for fruit, meat, wool, coal and forestry sectors. Little's changed for dairy - with duty free access only for certain protein products and those for re-ex...

 In this episode of the Make It Happen podcast, I sit down with certified coach and NLP master practitioner Sarah Robb from Spring with Sarah to talk about mindset, healing, and the power of rewiring your subconscious. Sarah shares her incredibly moving story of losing both parents in her twenties, navigating complex grief, and how that pain became the catalyst for her work helping others ove...

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour sits down with Paula Bennett for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond politics. They talk about growing up, losing his mum young, volunteering, identity, privacy, Dancing With the Stars, being “quirky” in public life, and why trying to be someone else is a waste of time. There’s also talk of leadership, changing your mind, taking r...

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated.  "I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens "We've never seen that before." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

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2025 has been a memorable year for global equity markets, and it's prompted speculation from investors.  Between economic downturns and tariffs, there's been plenty for experts to voice concerns about. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a tough run for the economy this year, but the Finance Minister is celebrating the progress that was made.  Nicola Willis told Kerre Woodham the economy is growing, which means that when they look back on 2025, they’ll be able to say it ended a lot better than it started.  She says that looking into next year, it’s set to grow much faster, with many more jobs being created.&nbs...

New Zealand's economy grew more than expected between July and September.  But between April and June, it shrank more than previously thought.  GDP rose 1.1% in the September quarter, surpassing all expectation but Stats NZ has revised the numbers for the June quarter, finding GDP actually fell 1%, not the previously-reported 0.9%.  That means the economy shrank 0.5% in the year to...

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“Never a dull moment” is how Wellington-based veteran consumer tech reviewer and commentator Pat Pilcher describes the year in tech after relentless product launches, an “utterly insane” Black Friday sales season and the “enshitification” of the internet, thanks in large part to AI. In our final episode of The Business of Tech for 2025, Pilcher joins the show to...

The Government insists it has a plan to turn the economy around.  Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows the country is first forecast to be in the black by 2029-2030.  The Finance Minister has admitted the country is borrowing money to pay the interest bill on the debt.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis Allan that bill is about $9 billion a year.  She says...

Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update has painted a concerning picture for the Government books. It forecasted the deficit will peak at $16.9 billion dollars, and only drop to $60 million in the 2029-2030 financial year.  Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says this forecast doesn't come with many surprises. "If you look at the bigger picture, we're now going to have a decade of d...

The Finance Minister's still aiming for a surplus this decade, despite today's bleak economic news. Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows more delay to getting the books back to black.  The deficit's expected to deepen more to a high of $16.9 billion and not narrow to $60 million dollars until 2029-30. Nicola Willis says a 2029 surplus is very achievable. "What that will take...