The SME Stream

So yesterday I outlined the reasons why the Reserve Bank might not cut interest rates.   I got that wrong.   They chopped the rate by the expected half a percent with immediate relief for mortgage holders.   What we try to do with the Reserve Bank is read behind the lines and figure out what they freely mean for our day-to-day life.  This is what I think they’re saying, t...

There's an unclear picture of what New Zealand's losing from people moving overseas.  About 70 thousand Kiwis left the country last year. Of those, 38% were people aged 18 to 30.   New Zealand had a net migration gain of 27,000 migrants in 2024, just a fraction of the 128,000 gained in 2023.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking while there's clear data on th...

There's finally some relief for Australian homeowners, as the RBA lowers interest rates for the first time since 2020. It held the cash rate at 4.3 percent for more than a year as post-pandemic inflation slowly cooled - but it slashed the OCR by 25 basis points to 4.1 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says inflation is coming down, but it's still nowhere near low enough.  LISTEN...

It's the Reserve Bank's first official cash rate decision for 2025 - and many economists are predicting a rate cut to start off the year. The RBNZ is largely expected to lower the OCR by 50 basis points tomorrow, with two major banks already announcing rate cuts. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says a significant cut looks likely - but warns the central bank runs the risk of overdoing t...

On the outskirts of Hamilton, a 70-year-old business is building aircraft on a site once dedicated to the World War Two effort. 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 th...

An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted. The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday. Many economists are predicting a 50 basis point cut - from 4.25 percent to 3.75. Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the bank's only meant to focus on inflation, which is already on target. "They're not looking at the inflat...

Rowan Simpson has been part of most of NZ's most well known and loved software startups: TradeMe, Xero, Vend, Timely and many more. Peter sits down with Simpson to talk about his new book, his advice for founders, and how NZ can light a fire under its startup scene. Reading list The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advic...

New data from Centrix reveals that the number of homeowners behind on their mortgage increased by 1,100 in December alone. With the interest rates dropping significantly recently, why is it that homeowners are falling behind?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]. Ross George started Direct Capital 30 years ago – it's since raised $1.7b to buy businesses such as AS Colour, Wet & Forget & Bayleys Real Estate. In this conversation he takes us inside the biggest deals and smashes myths of private equity investing. The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financia...

The word ‘Retirement’ can prompt a range of reactions. Some yawn, because it’s ages away and there’s heaps of time to sort it. Some people feel a little uncomfortable because it’s not ages away, and they’re not sure if they’re sorted - and some panic because it’s just around the corner they  know they’re not sorted.   Listener Sa...

Winston Peters has hinted at relaxing the foreign buyers ban for those who are willing to bring over the big bucks.  The NZ First leader said plans to lift the ban are a work in progress. He says if foreign investors are willing to pump millions of dollars into other parts of the country , he is open to allowing them to buy property.  Williams Corporation Managing Director, Matthew Hornc...

The expanded tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump are contributing to economic uncertainty held by multiple companies, according to experts. Major trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and the EU will likely be impacted by the incoming 25 percent tax on steel and aluminium imports into the US. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains how these changes could impact...

The Government has confirmed it plans to create more competition between the supermarkets as part of its growth plan. Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says this means potential crackdowns on pricing and helping new entrants access land and properties for development. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this scheme could include - and whether or not it could...

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, it’s all about growth and for the government that’s all about foreign investment, more Trump ta...

It's been a tumultuous first year for NZ's first AI-focused company to list on the New Zealand Exchange (NZX). Following on from a recent article on BusinessDesk, we unpack that journey so far and look ahead to what might be next for the contentious but ambitious company. This week, we have a double feature with an interview with entrepreneur extrodinaire Rowan Simpson to follow on Sunday, so make...

It's looking more likely that NZ First is on board with the new rules for foreign investors - including a shake-up for overseas buyers of property. New reports claim NZ First is set to agree to allow wealthy people to purchase homes over a certain threshold - it's rumoured to be $5 million. BusinessDesk's Pattrick Smellie explains further. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream cont...

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce says the council needs to financially compensate businesses affected by the Golden Mile works.  Construction on the Kent and Cambridge intersection with Courtenay Place will begin in April, as part of the project to revitalise the city's tired night-life stretch.  Mayor Tory Whanau previously floated a business support package, but officials yesterday s...

A must read for a reality check is the ABC, as in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and their exploration of the New Zealand vs Australian economy.  Normally the ABC, like a lot of public broadcasters, tease you with a headline and end up concluding nothing so they can claim to be balanced.  Not so in this case. Gareth Hutchens is your author, and the headline is "Inflation has fa...

An economist says New Zealand needs to have a tough conversation about superannuation. Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday told Newstalk ZB the scheme needs to become sustainable and a debate about age eligibility will be needed eventually.  Bagrie Economics says raising the age makes sense, with the average life expectancy up a lot. Cameron Bagrie says we can't keep kicking the can down...

The Prime Minister has copped some backlash over the state of the economy during his morning media round. This follows two disappointing showings for the coalition in the polls, with Chris Luxon's standing as preferred Prime Minister taking a hit. Luxon has stayed optimistic - and Infometics Principal Economist Brad Olsen is hopeful things will turn around later in the year. "Those interest rates...

A banking expert believes New Zealand First's move to fine banks for withdrawing services on environmental or social grounds misunderstands the situation.  MP Andy Foster has introduced a bill to the members' ballot in a bid to ensure banks make withdrawal decisions on a purely commercial basis, with fines of up to half a million.   Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told A...

[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]. The world is covered in conflict and investors may be too optimistic about the year ahead. Here’s what a wartime economy may look like in 2025. 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 rela...

A lot could be riding on the Government's upcoming global investment summit.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's hoping to tease out more foreign financial investment in New Zealand's projects and industries at the two-day event in March   But Simplicity Chief Executive Sam Stubbs says he's concerned Luxon will spend more time focused on offshore money than domestic money.  He told...

The Government has unveiled its first quarterly action plan for 2025, with a focus on growth and expanding the economy. A two-day international investment summit next month is one of 40 actions in the plan, with Luxon saying he wants to encourage more investment in New Zealand. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains what projects might draw potential investors into this country. LI...

Banks are clearing a backlog of lending requests after 'unacceptable' delays of up to five weeks, which caused stress for borrowers before Christmas.   A significant drop in interest rates late last year resulted in a surge of new home loan applications and refinancing and restructuring requests, according to mortgage brokers.   Loan market advisor Michelle Isemonger says the weeks befor...