The SME Stream

The Reserve Bank Governor is leaving the job tomorrow with no major regrets about the pace of OCR cuts.  The cash rate's dropped 25 basis points to 2.25%.  Forward-projections suggest this will be the end of the current cycle of OCR cuts, with inflation expected to ease and the economy expected to recover in the new year.  Governor Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking they've been r...

Leaky-home experts fear a proposed overhaul of the Building Act could leave unlucky home owners - apartment owners in particular - in financial ruin. Under the new regime, liabilities are only assigned to the party responsible, and for many new buildings, a warranty will be required. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the concerns further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in th...

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule.  In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead.   The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers.   CEO...

The Reserve Bank ended the year on a hopeful note and brought down the OCR for the end of 2025. The central bank cut the Official Cash Rate another 25 basis points today - bringing it to 2.25 percent. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions...

Chris Hipkins says coalitions require a balance of compromise and standing by values.   The Labour leader says New Zealanders understand the nuances of MMP and the reality that parties can't get everything they want.   He says that means parties often can't accomplish as much as they hoped.  But Hipkins told Kerre Woodham some things will be bottom lines.   Hipkins says an exam...

Welcome to a new podcast brought to you by Property Brokers and powered by The Country. In Episode Two of Land and Lifestyle Property Markets, Jess Davidson discusses with Property Brokers Rural General Manager Conrad Wilkshire, some of the current trends, sector insights, and the future long-term outlook for the Rural Property Market.  The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general info...

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 podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part one - Rabobank’s Singapore-based global strategist discusses a world economy totally dominated by geopolitics. Could there be a silver lining for NZ farmers if Trump sells out Ukraine? And does he think the AI bubble will burst? Part two - Rabobank’s Singapore-based global strategist diverts his focus to the NZ economy as we discuss this week’s OCR announcement, Trump’...

Fonterra's forewarning farmers falling global dairy prices could hit their bottom lines. The dairy co-op recently cut its seasonal farmgate milk payout midpoint forecast - from $10 to $9.50. It paid out $10.16 last season. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any o...

The Reserve Bank is set to deliver their final Monetary Policy Statement for 2025 tomorrow, and reports indicate the OCR will be cut further. Economists are widely expecting the OCR to drop 25 basis points to 2.25  percent - with room for further cuts down the line.  HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham speculated further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general inf...

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 podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon says National's KiwiSaver election pledge will be a bottom line in coalition negotiations. National's announced plans to lift default contributions to six percent by 2032. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent from 2029. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says most of the policy is sound, but he raised concerns over some employers taking the increases out of t...

New surveys show Auckland business confidence is on the up, with reports indicating businesses are feeling less pessimistic ahead of the new year. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the latest November survey shows the city isn't 'out of the woods' but it's no longer 'stuck in the darkest part of the forest'. Bridges says there's room for the economy to improve, but the OCR's coming...

Up to 15,000 passengers could be disrupted if Air New Zealand cabin crew go ahead with strike action next month. The airline's largely unionised crew plan to strike on December 8th demanding greater salaries and allowances. The flagship carrier's assessing the potential effect on operations. Expert and advisor to business leaders, Bruce Cotterill, says people have high expectations when it comes t...

The job market remains in a tough spot despite modest improvements.   The latest Seek NZ Employment Report finds job ad volumes have risen 1% for the fourth consecutive month and 7% year-on-year.  The growth is seen across most regions and industries.  Country manager Rob Clark says we're heading in the right direction.  He told Mike Hosking that hospitality and tourism is impo...

The Reserve Bank is set to make an announcement this week, and experts are expecting at least one more cut to the OCR. Markets are projecting the OCR will be cut down to 2.25, and they've priced it in accordingly. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. An...

Fears the Government's new construction requirements will unintentionally create a monopoly. The Government's announced mandatory warranties for new homes three storeys or less, and all renos worth at least $100,000.  Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it's intended to protect homeowners from cowboys.   Combined Building Supplies Chief Executive Carl Taylor told Mike Hosk...

Suzanne Paul is something of a national treasure. The pocket rocket first burst onto our screens in the 90s, promoting Natural Glow and its "thousands of luminous spheres." In the years since she's become a fixture on our screens and in magazines with a string of successes and a sprinkling of failures along the way.  At nearly 70 she's launched a new podcast 'Fork's Sake' and is showing no si...

Queues at budgeting services are getting longer, and financial advisors are finding households with increasing incomes are seeking help.  Kiwis with a household income of over $200,000 a year and likely with a mortgage are struggling to make ends meet.  It feels like it was only a few years ago that being on a six figure salary meant you were fairly well off, but it seems it's barely eno...

Head of Banking and Valuation Risk at Valocity, David Grubb, joins Tim Beveridge for the OneRoof radio show. 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...

We hear a lot about how we need to save for retirement, but less is known about how to make that money last once you need to start drawing on it.  Tom Hartmann from the Retirement Commission joins Nadine to talk about Sorted's Retirement Navigator .  The new tool processes customisable values in order to help those nearing retirement (or already there) figure out how much they have to li...

The National Party have announced their first election promise - a lift to default KiwiSaver contribution rates.  The changes would mean that by the end of the implementation, savers would be able to contribute 12% to KiwiSaver, putting us on a level matching Australia's superannuation.  Some experts say it'll lead to countless people opting out of KiwiSaver, with other investment method...

There have been no signs of easing anxiety in the stock markets despite record Nvidia results.  Investment director for Craigs Investment Partners Mark Lister told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the apprehension is a result of not wanting to overestimate the appropriate levels of optimism. "It's more of a case of a healthy pullback, a healthy correction rather than something that's going to de...

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 podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert is picking apart National's 'piecemeal' Kiwisaver election pledge, saying it doesn't go far enough.  The party's promising to lift default worker and employer KiwiSaver contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12 percent superannuation rate. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent - but not until 2029. Massey University banking expert Claire...