The SME Stream

Amanda Morrall: What does it really take to retire in 2026?

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what do...

Negotiation tactics that actually work

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us enter negotiations with a level of awkwardness and trying not to sound greedy. It's not the strongest tactic, but nor is making demands bas...

Cameron Bagrie: Economist says NZ Super reform is crucial but unpopular ahead of budget

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be presenting the 2026 budget on this coming Thursday.  A number of pre-budget announcements have already bee...

Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister chats ahead of budget

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio this morning for their weekly chat. With the budget coming up this week they spoke abou...

Why most active funds underperformed in 2025 Herald NOW Business | Fri 22 May

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

S&P's Sue Lee discusses SPIVA's verdict on NZ fund managers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country 22/05/26: Chris Hipkins talks to Jamie Mackay

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We ask Labour’s leader for some policy as we’re now less than six months away from the Nov 7 General Election. Plus, does he support Winst...

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on 6% spending increase last quarter

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand saw a 6% spending increase in retail last quarter with the South Island overtaking the North, likely due to farming and tourism.  Ret...

Inflation on earth, Musk on Mars, SpaceX shooting for astronomical targets | Fri 22 May

24 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

RBNZ survey shows NZ firms expect more inflation sooner and lasting for longer, plus Musk's Mars colony payday plan. See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Space Mafia: How orbital AI changes everything

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to the data centres of Silicon Valley or the cloud regions dotted around the world.  It is heading ...

(#103) Too Scared to Make a Change? Here's Why You Should Do It Anyway ft. Jay-Jay Feeney

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ever wondered whether it is too late to start something new, this episode is for you. I sat down with New Zealand radio icon Jay-Jay Feene...

Grant Baker: NZ Businessman and Entrepreneur on his decades of success and failures, new book 'No Pit Stops: The Business Of Going All In'

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Grant Baker is one of the country’s best success stories.  The Kiwi serial entrepreneur has had his hand in a number of pies but is best kn...

The Country 21/05/26: Peter Newbold talks to Jamie Mackay

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a buoyant rural market with the General Manager, Livestock & Real Estate for PGG Wrightson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Nvidia reporting its latest quarterly results

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nvidia, the world's largest listed company and a critical bellwether on the health of the AI sector, posted record first-quarter earnings on Thursday ...

The SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 22 May

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Can you still hit your first $100k? With Luke Kemeys of Keep the Change

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why are we hooked on negative news? Luke Kemeys of Keep the Change joins us to dissect the media "doom loop" and how the algorithmic bias towards nega...

The Country 20/05/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We ask the PM what’s in the Budget for farmers? With cuts to the Public Service, is Wellington doomed as a city? Is Winston barking mad or just ...

The Country 20/05/26: Andrew Murray talks to Jamie Mackay

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fonterra’s CFO comments on last night’s final GDT Auction for the 25/26 season. The headline move (up 0.6%) was largely in line with expec...

Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on bond yields and interest rates going up

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to bond yields and interest rates going up all over the world, and it's prompted concerns among experts. This wil...

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the reactions to Labour's lack of info on the Future Fund policy

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Labour leader Chris Hipkins doesn't think the public much cares about which companies would be in the party's Future Fund.  It won't be revealing...

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on card spend data dropping by 1.3% in April

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board.  Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1....

Oil prices, inflation & interest rates: Is the worst still coming?

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Oil prices surged, inflation risks are rising again, and all eyes are now on the Reserve Bank’s next OCR decision. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker b...

(#102) Stop Being Afraid to Fail (It's Costing You More Than You Think)

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fear of failure is not protecting you. It is paralyzing you. In this episode I share my fail forward framework and the four mindset shifts that comple...

The Country 19/05/26: Cameron Bagrie talks to Jamie Mackay

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Independent economist comments on a 4.1% rise in global food prices over the past two months, what it means for NZ farmers, and why rising global bond...

Saul Eslake: Australian independent economist on the claims that the Budget is turning NZ into an Australian tax haven

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Following the release of last week's Budget, there's growing claims that Australians are looking across the Tasman with 'genuine envy'. A recent artic...

Nick Brunsdon: Infometrics Principal Economist on retail spending falling by $160 million in April

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwis appear to be cutting back on discretionary spending as fuel prices bite.  Data from Stats NZ shows retail electronic card purchases fell 1....

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the public service reform, experimenting with AI to streamline tasks

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Another swathe of Government agency job cuts and public sector reform.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they want to return the public servan...

Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the services sector continuing to contract in April

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The services sector continues to contract.  The latest Services Index rose 2.7 points to 48.9 – with anything below 50 signalling contracti...

What happens when you get behind on tax

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealanders owe 9.5billion dollars in overdue tax, with small business owners and the self-employed most likely to get behind. Director of Future F...

The hidden costs of AI: Labour, data, and the race to dominate

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence is being sold to us as the future.   Faster, smarter, more efficient, maybe even world changing.  But...

Winston Peters: NZ First leader lays out plans for Government to buy BNZ

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The New Zealand First leader says they'll be telling the National Australia Bank we want our bank back - as he lays out plans for the Government to bu...

Ed McKnight: Breaking down investment ads that seem too good to be true

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The ads we see on social media promise us a great many things, but how many of them are as good as they seem?  Ed McKnight was recently served an...

Synlait CEO resigns as company names acting successor | Fri 15 May

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

BusinessDesk's Riley Kennedy discusses Synlait's Leadership Reset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global rates still drive NZ borrowing costs | Fri 15 May

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Craigs Investment Partner's Andrew Ede discusses how global interest rates continue to shape NZ's rates outlook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Synlait churns leaders, Air NZ burns cash, and US markets love Cerebras | Fri 15 May

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Synlait board seeks a seventh CEO in 5 years and an independent director. Will Air NZ need a cap raise? Cerebras soars almost 70% on Nasdaq listing. /...

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Is anyone looking out for businesses?

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We need to talk about what Chris Hipkins has said about immigration. First of all, Labour can frankly shut up accusing the Nats of anti-migrant rhetor...

Will the government sell Kiwibank? | Thu 14 May

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis talks Kiwibank, immigration plans and Kiwisaver changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country 14/05/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The NZ First leader and former Deputy PM is his normal combative self when it comes to NZF propaganda, TPM, and the age of eligibility for National Su...

AI hesitation affecting productivity. Tech with 2 Degrees | Thu 14 May

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The real barrier isn’t the tech falling over, it’s our hesitation, low trust and fear of getting it wrong. Peter Griffin - The Business of...

Inflation concerns creeping back into markets - Zoe Wallis, Forsyth Barr | Thu 14 May

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This has been pressuring local interest rates higher. Market pricing for RBNZ has climbed up from about a 30% chance of a hike in May to just under 50...

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the impact of weight-loss drugs on the economy

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are among the weight-loss drugs that more people are taking - but questions have been raised about their economic impacts...

'Why Kiwi beef and lamb farms are expecting to double profits this season | Thu 14 May

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

BusinessDesk's Riley Kennedy tells Herald NOW just how much our red meat industry is benefiting from the US supply shortage. See omnystudio.com/l...

The SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 15 May

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Episode 62: CEO of Venues Ōtautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 62, our guest is Caroline Harvie-Teare, who is the CEO of Venues Otautahi in Christchurch, home of the new One New Z...

Power play: Qiulae Wong on R&D, AI, hi-tech skills and tax

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Opportunity Party is attracting growing support from young tech professionals, scientists, and startup founders, demanding bolder, more evidence‑...

Seeka’s $440m high-tech harvest (Kiwifruit & more)

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is kiwifruit at the cutting edge? Michael Franks is the CEO of Seeka, New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower and a major post-harvest provider, ...

Should New Zealand raise the age of NZ Super?

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On paper, New Zealand Super is one of the simplest parts of our welfare system.  Most people become eligible at 65, it’s not means tested, ...

Westpac forecasts reveal fresh outlook for NZ amid focus on Australian Budget | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Westpac's Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold discusses the latest economic data and what the Australian Budget means.See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Winston Peters reveals why he won't budge on upping the retirement age | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

NZ First leader Winston Peters says NZ's retirement age is not a problem that needs to be fixed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country 13/05/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister ponders further lamb tariffs in the US, whether climate polluters are being let off the hook, whether Labour can win without TPM, J...

State of the Retail Industry report – Nicole Buisson from Lightspeed | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Shoppers are still turning up and backing local where they can, while retailers juggle rising costs. But how long can they absorb the pain?See omnystu...

Investment Adviser Shifting exchange rates are impacting your portfolio | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Forsyth Barr's Mark Richardson gives a crash course on how currency exchange rates impact returns on your investments.See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Dairy boom continues but inflation and El Nino pose risks ahead | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jarden's Mike McIntyre discusses the a strong dairy season as uncertainty over costs looms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Bradford: NZ Herald senior correspondent recaps Luxon's Business NZ pre-Budget announcement

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has warned less cash would be thrown around in this year's upcoming Budget amid ongoing economic turmoil. Luxon told the au...

Cameron Brewer: Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister on the harsher penalties for misleading pricing

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Government says it won't punish genuine mistakes with its planned new crackdown on misleading pricing.  A bill's been introduced to Parliamen...

Economic stress driving demand for mental health support for businesses | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Katie Bradford talks to Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey about a workplace mental health toolkit as economic pressures mount on businesses.See omnys...

Commerce Commission looks at 22 years of data in State of Competition report | Wed 13 May

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ComCom has one headscratcher - Market concentration measured by the share of the top five firms in any sector, has ...

Our young people are chasing the Kiwi dream ... in Australia

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It might feel weird telling the young people in your life to pack up and head across the ditch for better prospects, but right now it may actually be ...

The Country 12/05/26: Emma Higgins talks to Jamie Mackay

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rabobank’s Senior Ag Analyst reviews the bank’s May Agribusiness Monthly Report as we look at the prospects for dairy, beef, sheep, fuel, ...

Finance Minister on New Zealand's latest fuel stocks | Tue 12 May

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains what it would take to reach phase four.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi manufacturers hit by falling revenue and tight margins | Tue 12 May

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Unleashed's Jarrod Adam discusses the latest data showing mounting strain on kiwi manufacturersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milford Senior Analyst - James Buchnanan on the AI agents | Tue 12 May

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Milford Report - US tech companies are on track to spend more than a trillion US dollars on AI next yearSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Saudi Aramco warns oil low, LNG terminal still an go, Bunnings goes big on auto | Tue 12 May

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

'Big oil' warns of mid-June supply crunch if Strait stays shut; BusinessDesk reports Cabinet still considering LNG terminal; Bunnings targets Repco &a...

Matt Ball: Property Investor Federation Manager on Cotality housing data

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A changing property market could start shifting landlord trends.  Fresh March quarter data from property information firm Cotality shows almost n...

Todd McClay: Trade Minister on the US investigating the possibility of tariffs on NZ lamb

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Trade Minister says he'll be making the case against further US tariffs on New Zealand lamb.  Todd McClay says he expects the US Government t...

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the end of fees-free study

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has backed the decision to scrap the fees-free scheme for good. Last week, Winston Peters revealed to Newstalk ZB on Fr...

Markets update thanks to Forsyth Barr | Mon 11 May

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Ibbotson from Forsyth Barr joins the showSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bite: Half of us still don’t have a will

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

“We still see 10–15 deceased estates a week.” That was one of the more confronting moments from this conversation about wills, inves...

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the 'no deal' announcement on the Middle East conflict

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Oil prices have jumped more than three percent on the back of another snag in negotiations between the US and Iran.  Donald Trump has taken to so...

Shane Jones: Associate Energy Minister on the update to the Government's fuel response plan, concerns about supply

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Jones says while Kiwis may be concerned about fuel prices, they don't need to worry about fuel supply.  The Government's updated its fuel r...

Martin Hawes: Should the govt fund your retirement?

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ ...

The mortgage traps costing Kiwis thousands

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage advise...

Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister chats fees free and retirement age changes

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio to discuss two major policy changes announced last week - abolishing fees free study, a...

Winston Peters: NZ First leader says Nats, Labour have record of 'attacking super'

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to start lifting the pension age if National get back into government after the coming election. Bipartisan sup...

Tony Alexander: Economist and Property Commentator chats survey showing 44% of real estate agents see prices falling in their areas

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Independent Economist and Property Commentator Tony Alexander regularly surveys real estate agents.  His latest survey found that 44% feel p...

The Huddle: Is it time to lift the Super age from 65?

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues ...

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the OECD report looking at the impact of our current superannuation settings on the economy

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Finance Minister says the Government's going to have to do something about Superannuation.   An OECD report warns if current policy settings ...

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on how the memory shortage could impact the tech sector

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The cost of computer components has shot up, and there's concerns about what it could mean for the tech sector. The shortage of memory chips has promp...

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist issues warning over nation's overloaded pension system

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand's treading water, with a warning our increasingly overloaded pension system isn't sustainable. The latest OECD snapshot of our economy sug...

Sarah Wrightson: CVs by Sarah director on the rise of AI in the job recruitment process

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The rise in AI has seen demand for professionally written CVs in a bid to stand out against algorithms. Experts say while AI can be useful to screen h...

The SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 08 May

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

The Business of Tech: AI is eating market research

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Market research has long been a privilege of the big end of town. Got $50,000 and six weeks to spare? Great, you can know what your customers think. E...

Is this just life now? When the cost of living crisis becomes the new normal

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the first episode of The Economy of Everything, with thanks to CMC Markets. To kick things off, our hosts Tamsyn Parker and Liam Dann tackl...

Are you leaving your wealth in limbo?

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to your house, your shares, and even your dog if you don’t document your wishes with a will? With the launch of Sharesies Wills, we...

Olivia Blaylock: Icehouse CEO on the Ignite Growth Summit, small and medium businesses in New Zealand

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Icehouse is celebrating 25 years of powering Kiwi business growth.  They’re a non-profit dedicated to training and mentoring the small ...

The Country 06/05/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The PM, hot off signing the ‘Fuel for Food’ deal with Singapore, also ponders local body reform and the prospect of a Grand Coalition.See ...

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Craig Stobo resigning from the FMA after conduct review

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A new test case for the standards of political neutrality expected in the public service. Craig Stobo has resigned as chair of the Financial Markets A...

The Country 06/05/26: Anna Palairet talks to Jamie Mackay

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fonterra’s Chief Operating Officer reviews last night’s 1.5% lift in the GDT auction, a steady performance and largely in line with expect...

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on whether unemployment is set to get worse again

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's hopes the Iran war won't bring a big bump in unemployment. Stats NZ data shows the rate reached 5.3 percent in the March quarter, down from 5....

Nick Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the unemployment rate

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic. The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3 perc...

The oil shocks just keep coming - how much more can we take?

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand businesses are running on fumes, with cash reserves dwindling amid surging fuel prices and KiwiSaver costs... all while the full shockwave...

What the Modern Slavery Bill will mean for business reporting and compliance?

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Simpson Grierson's Coporate Partner Anastasiya Gamble on how the Modern Slavery Bill will impact businessesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

'Very much a world first' - Singapore trade deal hailed

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Former trade commissioner to Singapore Ziena Jalil says the Singapore trade deal has been in the works for a long timeSee omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Nick Tuffley: ASB Chief Economist on the expectation the unemployment rate will rise slightly

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwis struggling to find work aren't alone in it. Stats NZ data due out this morning is expected to show unemployment's remained steady or risen sligh...

Fire traded in Strait of Hormuz, plus parting shot from Brooke Van Velden

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Garth Bray joins the show with the latest in business thanks to Forsyth BarrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group Managing Director on the ANZ card data showing how Kiwis are spending

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're spending more on fuel, crowding out most other areas.   ANZ card data from April shows spending at the pump jumped 0.9% on top of March's 2...

Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on unemployment expected to hold

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finding a job remains tough, and the surge in fuel prices could make it even tougher. Stats NZ is confirming the unemployment rate for the March quart...

Stagflation warning: Why a flat unemployment rate may still spell trouble ahead

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand’s unemployment rate is expected to hold steady - at least on paper - when new data is released this week.  But beneat...

(#101) 3 Best and Worst Businesses to Start as a Beginner (What I Wish I Knew Earlier)

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling overwhelmed by all the business options out there? In this episode I break down the three business models beginners should avoid and the three...

We're being destroyed' Steel Worx director on why business confidence is so low

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Barrett says just last week they were bidding against 18 other companies for the same jobSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising costs, softer credit - what the latest credit data reveals

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rising fuel costs and global uncertainty begin to weigh on credit demand, Centrix's Keith McLaughlin discusses the latest dataSee omnystudio.com/liste...