The SME Stream

It's been a big week for the tech sector, with Meta and Microsoft moving to post their earnings.

But it's sparked concerns about the future of AI, and whether or not another sector bubble is set to burst.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further.

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South Island business leaders want to be recognised as the engine room of New Zealand's economy. 

The eight chambers of commerce have launched a joint manifesto, representing around seven thousand businesses. 

It calls for policies to lift productivity, with a goal of increasing South Island GDP per capita to at least $130 thousand by 2035. 

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it shows there's great alignment across the South Island. 

She says if New Zealand wants stronger productivity, higher incomes, and greater resilience, backing the South Island is the smartest investment. 

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. 

This week, Unemployment is up but is the picture as bad as it sounds? Insurance premiums are in the spotlight as the government tries to pinpoint what’s driving costs so high … plus how to juggle all the demands on your business without losing focus.

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Australian fintech pioneer and serial entrepreneur Dom Pym knows a thing or two about starting companies and scaling them into market-leading players.

This week’s episode of The Business of Tech dives into Pym’s extraordinary journey, from bootstrapping niche financial platforms to building one of Australia’s most popular digital banks – Up – and then reinventing himself as one of the region’s most active startup investors. 

Pym’s path into fintech started long before “fintech” was a buzzword. After a whirlwind early career working with Fortune 500 giants, he went on to build a grain exchange platform t...

What does it take to build a workplace where people genuinely belong and can do their best work?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Evan Bateup, Partner and Chief People & Inclusion Officer at KPMG New Zealand.

Drawing on a non-traditional career journey that spans operations, change, sales, marketing, and people leadership, Evan shares practical insights into leadership, inclusion, culture, and the role HR can play in creating meaningful impact.

From belonging and organisational culture to commercial HR, leadership capability, and the future of work, this conversation explores what...

New Zealand’s superannuation problem is something that constantly rears its head. 

Whether it’s abolishing MPs’ gold-plated super scheme, if we should introduce means testing, or heighten the retirement age – one thing’s always clear... our status quo is untenable. 

The annual cost of NZ Super has already risen from less than $20 billion in 2023 to $24.7b this financial year, and is forecast to pass $30b in 2030. 

Meanwhile, the annual superbill for older migrants has hit a billion dollars – five years after Parliament tightened eligibility. 

So, what are the real pressure points in the system and how...

Conversations about reintroducing maximum sustainable employment to the Reserve Bank's monetary policy mandate and inflation targeting could be back on the table, following recent comments from Winston Peters.

Peters had to let this issue go during the last round of coalition negotiations, but speculation indicates he's like to bring the issue up again the next time round. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says there would be very little, if any, differences to the current state of the OCR if these changes were implemented. 

"The Reserve Bank is not dumb, they're not looking at th...

91 petrol is set to stay below $3 a litre for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working families should be coming to an end. 

The Government has always said any support would be timely, temporary and targeted — but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended? 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she’ll take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment. 

But, there’s also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture: New Zealand lagging behind other countries on...

Employers with a good track records on seasonal workers could soon get useful stamps of approval.

The Government's planning changes to the RSE Scheme.

It includes an accreditation system and clarifying employers' rules on claiming for costs like transport.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says trusted businesses will be treated with a lighter regulatory touch.

"You provide good accommodation, we haven't had issues with your accommodation or your deductions or anything else, and you're consistently dealing with MSD to make sure that you're putting Kiwis first for jobs."

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Erica Lloyd on what this year's CEO Index finalists say about leadership, ambition and innovation. BusinessDesk CEO Index is sponsored by Range Rover.

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High-profile Mergers and Acquisitions on the NZX, reminder of deal activity. Mohandeep Singh from Craigs Investment Partners.

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ANZ economist Dhiraj Nim on the strategic importance of the NZ-India FTA and how businesses can benefit from India's scale, growth and expanding economy.

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An easier pathway for seasonal workers to move between jobs as the Government plans changes to the RSE Scheme. 

Its tweaks will focus on accommodation standards, clarifying rules, and strengthening pastoral care. 

It also includes an accreditation system, meaning less paperwork for businesses with a proven track record. 

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking this will level the playing field by putting RSE visa holders through the same process as other work visa holders. 

She says this includes applying for a variation of conditions, which are processed quickly, and then they...

An economist says New Zealand is no longer in a cost of living crisis.  

New Stats NZ data shows the cost of living for the average New Zealand household increased 3.2% in the year to June 2026 quarter.  

It's the largest jump in more than four years, with higher petrol prices accounting for almost one-third of the annual increase 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking it isn't a crisis, but concedes it's not a comfortable situation for many.  

He says cost increases are outstripping wage increases, but it isn't as bad as t...

The rising cost of living is down to more than global uncertainty, according to one expert.

Stats NZ data shows costs for the average household jumped 3.2 percent annually to June, a more than four-year-high.

Petrol was the biggest contributor - skyrocketing more than 27 percent.

Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says shocks like US tariffs and its war with Iran play a role, but core inflation is still higher than before Covid.

"But there's a little bit more of a sticky persistent inflation - it's the obvious drivers like rates, it's your insurance...

Nicola Willis will like the inflation number that's come out. More importantly, she'll like the story that number is telling.

Remember, her target audience is the squeezed middle. This is the battleground. This is the fight for the soft centre at the election: Labour versus National. These are the voters both parties are targeting.

The Stats NZ figure for the year to the June quarter is 3.2 percent. Prices are up for the average Kiwi family. On the face of it, that doesn't sound like good news.

But for the roughly one-third of Kiwis...

How do organisations build talent when the skills they need take years to develop?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Kim Milne, Chief People Officer at Elf Group, including AB Equipment and Speirs Finance Group, to explore apprenticeships, leadership, workforce development, and the future of skilled trades in New Zealand.

Drawing on her experience across operations, people leadership, governance, and industry training, Kim shares practical insights into developing talent from the ground up, creating career pathways, and helping technical specialists transition into leadership roles.

From attracting young people...

The Government says escalation in the Iran war may move out the trigger-point for stopping temporary fuel-support payments.

The $50 weekly payments for lower-income working families was meant to last a year from April, or until 91-octane stays cheaper than three-dollars a litre for a month. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis expects we'll reach the four-week threshold this week - but the latest data won't be available til Wednesday. 

"The reason we put that four-week rule in place was because we do not think we should have these extra supports in longer than we need th...

Fed Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is expected to hold rates at the central banks' next meeting. Forsyth Barr's Zoe Wallis joins Herald NOW.

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Rabobank’s GM RaboResearch comments on Trump’s latest increased tariff rates imposed by the US on NZ and 60 other countries. However, there’s good news for beef and a cautionary message for sheep meat.

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The big macro-economic news this week is US Federal Reserve rate Decision on Wednesday. Shane Solly Harbour Asset Management.

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TikTok's proving to be a powerful tool for New Zealand businesses. 

A new Infometrics report shows the social media platform helped boost the local economy by an estimated $1.2 billion last year. 

It found more than 670 thousand New Zealanders are visiting restaurants and cafes or making other purchases after discovering them on TikTok. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking around 50% of businesses in New Zealand reckon they’re using TikTok in some way, shape, or form. 

Of that number, he says, around 15% don't do anything paid, instead just posting organic videos...

Imax has about 1% of the world's screens but made up 20% of the box office at opening weekend.

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More and more kiwis are taking on debt to cover costs, and the increasing popularity of buy now pay later schemes has normalised casual debt. 

Financial author Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the attitude people should have around debt, and the different types of debt. 

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The expression property market reset has been recently popular in property news– but what is it?

What does it look like? And what does it mean for homeowners and investors?

Opes Mortgages Managing Director Peter Norris joined Tim Beveridge for The One Roof Radio Show to discuss.

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What happens when two best friends can't find products that reflect their culture for their own children? They build them.

In this episode I sit down with Amy Barratt and Dayna Slade, co-founders of Bo & Ko, to explore how they turned a personal gap in the market into a thriving Māori and Pacific-owned brand. They share the realities of building a business while navigating new motherhood, the power of creating products rooted in culture and identity, and how entrepreneurship deepened their connection to their own whakapapa. If you've ever dreamed of turning an idea into something m...

Are you raising a child who thinks money just appears?

From pocket money and piggy banks to KiwiSaver, first jobs and the temptation to bail them out, the lessons start much earlier than many parents realise. So, should chores earn cash? When should children start investing? And when is it better to let them make a mistake?

Hayden Mulholland from Becoming Wealth joins Nadine on The Prosperity Project to explain how to raise kids who actually understand money.

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National says its paid parental leave policy was already in the works, despite recent comments from Stuart Nash accusing one of its MPs of being lazy.

Nash resigned from NZ First after it was revealed he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the “laziest MP” for taking time off to have a baby.

National has today announced, if elected, it'll extend leave entitlements to 30 weeks by 2029, with a longer-term goal of reaching 40 weeks.  

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined Tim Beveridge to explain further.

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The Prime Minister has responded to the US hitting New Zealand with 12.5% tariffs. 

Despite the tariffs already facing scrutiny from US courts, Kiwi exporters are preparing to bare the brunt of the raised tariff. 

Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that, "it's purely a play to find another avenue to open up the 12.5% tariffs when the Supreme Court came back with a negative ruling"

Donald Trump used accusations of 'forced labour' to justify the tariffs, which Chris Luxon strongly denies. 

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Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton on the $53m Datagrid investment and why AL is reshaping electricity demand.

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We catch up with the Supreme Winner of the NZI Rural Women Business Awards, held last night at Parliament. Kylie is the owner of Southern Reproductive, an independent reproductive services and training business that she began five years ago.

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New Zealand businesses are selling like hot-cakes. 

ABC Business Sales' latest report shows there were 503 completed sales over the last 12 months, up 19 percent on the year before. 

The business broker says New Zealand is still in a seller's market with an average of 34 buyers per new business listing.

Managing Director Chris Small says they're sending out huge numbers of confidentiality agreements to people who want to look at the details behind businesses.

He says more than a 100 of these are signed, for the most popular businesses.

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S&P's Anu Ganti on what's driving Wall Street, the next phase of AI trade and what investors should watch in the second half of 2026 / Video. Herald NOW Business

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A banking expert believes there's enough competition as it is, between the country's eight largest banks.

The Financial Markets Authority's found all but one lifted floating mortgage rates 25 basis points after the OCR rose by the same amount this month.

The average bank lifted its savings rates by only 17 basis points. 

Massey University's Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking that there's always the argument competition's not working the way it should - but she thinks otherwise.

She believes banks are looking very closely at what each other are doing, and acting in r...

Waitomo CEO, Simon Parham reveals whether fuel prices will reach $3 again.

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The United States has announced it will impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including New Zealand. 

After his previous tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, Trump is using the excuse that the countries are not doing enough to stop the imports of goods associated with forced labour to justify the increase. 

ExportNZ Executive Director Joshua Tan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that even if New Zealand fixed the alleged issue it would likely not change the tariff. 

"Look, simply put, the Trump administration wants a way to to enforce higher tariffs across the...

The Finance Minister says changes to paid parental leave weren't in the coalition agreement for the current government.

The National Party is promising to extend paid parental leave to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

It would also allow parents more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking that the change would be a priority for a National-led government.

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Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.

The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks,  to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.

She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone f...

New Zealand’s housing market remains firmly in buyers’ favour. 

Sales activity is continuing to weaken and property values are showing little sign of a broad-based recovery. 

But, while first-home buyers remain active, investors are pulling back, with some wary of what a shifting political and tax environment could mean for returns. 

So, what’s really going on here? Is this just a subdued patch, or a market that’s lost its heat for longer? 

Today on The Front Page, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson is with us to unpack where housing st...

Taxing the super-rich has been tried overseas and hasn't always worked out, one expert says. 

The Greens have set their wealth tax rate at 2.5%, but Treasury modelling suggests it could shrink the taxable wealth base by more than 40%.  

The party's own modelling puts the reduction at about 28%.  

Dentons tax partner Bruce Bernacchi told Kerre Woodham if introduced, we'd be only one of five countries that have it. 

He says in 1990 there were 12 countries in the OECD that had a wealth tax, and there are just four today. 

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