The SME Stream
Episodes
Lisa Dudson: finance expert on the Government's new changes to KiwiSaver
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a bid to boost Kiwis' retirement savings, the Government is increasing the default KiwiSaver contribution rate to 3.5 percent next year and then 4 ...
Jack Tame: Should superannuation be means-tested too?
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s one of the curious things about the structure of modern liberal democracies. Whether its sharemarkets or political cycles or even med...
Robyn Walker: Deloitte Tax Partner on the investment boost without a cap
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hit go on commercial building developments, oil and gas exploration, dam builders and more. In a new investment boo...
Phil O'Reilly: Former Welfare Expert Advisory Panel Member on new benefit sanctions in place from today
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A view that new sanctions for beneficiaries failing to meet jobseeker obligations, are "sensible." The changes, as part of the Government's traffic li...
Heather du Plessis-Allan: Don't touch my pension
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about this business with the pension age. Chris Luxon has said today twice that he wants the pension age to go up to 67. He said it once on...
Ryan Bridge: We need more of a heads up on Kiwisaver
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
KiwiSaver. I was thinking about this at the weekend. I get why the government is doing the old switcharoo. I get it. Means test the government s...
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the KiwiSaver changes included in Budget 2025
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An increase in default KiwiSaver contribution rates announced in Thursday's Budget could leave some households better off for retirement - but experts...
Christopher Luxon: The Prime Minister talks Budget 2025 with Kerre Woodham and Newstalk ZB listeners
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister's keen to raise the retirement age -- but it's not possible in coalition with New Zealand First. The Government is halving its Kiwi...
How this tourism company circumvented tariffs
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Tourism Holdings rushed hundreds of camper vans across the Canadian border to dodge reciprocal tariffs....
Growth or austerity? Unpacking Budget 2025 and what it means for you
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget. Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half fr...
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on Budget 2025, return to surplus, and New Zealand's growing debt problem
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Finance Minister is defending her budget and growth agenda, despite a surplus being some years away. The Government's books aren't set to return t...
Kerre Woodham: Retail owners and businesses can't hang on any longer
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Isn't it cruelly, cruelly ironic that yesterday we were talking about just how tough it is in retail, and we have the news that after 145 years, Smith...
Budget 2025: What you need to know
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Officially dubbed the “Growth Budget” - unofficially, the “no BS Budget” - Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled where N...
Chris Hipkins: Labour Party leader voices disapproval with 2025 Budget
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has been quick to voice his concerns with the 2025 Budget. Hipkins took aim at the pay equity changes - and opposed the ne...
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist talks Budget 2025 and whether the government can get back to surplus
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A view suggests says yesterday's Budget is highlighting New Zealand's fiscal realities. It found more than 21-billion dollars in savings - including n...
Richard McIntyre: Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson on the monthly trade surplus
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The primary sector's going gangbusters, with a billion-dollar monthly trade surplus for the first time in five years. Stats NZ data reveals it s...
John Carnegie: Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO on $200 million contingency fund for new gas fields
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An oil and gas lobby group is celebrating the Government's 200 million dollars for gas fields. Resource Minister Shane Jones announced the money would...
SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 23rd May
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How Litmaps is supercharging scientific research
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Litmaps, a Wellington-based startup that’s just raised $1 million in a Series A funding round, is redefining how scientists navigate the sea of ...
Pals co-founders Mat Croad and Nick Marshall: From childhood friends to RTD moguls
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liam is joined by Mat Croad and Nick Marshall, co-founders of RTD business Pals, to discuss how a previous failure informed their meteoric ...
Steven Joyce: Former Finance Minister says New Zealand's in the early stages of an export-led recovery
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a belief New Zealand's entering the early stages of an export-led recovery. Stats NZ data reveals it's at $1.4 billion in April, compar...
The Huddle: What do we hope to get out of Budget Day 2025?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight on The Huddle, Conor English from Government relations firm Silvereye and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the follo...
Kerre Woodham: Let's fill vacant stores before we build more
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I don't know where the Head of Research at JLL, the commercial property company, I does his shopping, but it cannot be anywhere that I go. If you've e...
Jessica Walker: Consumer NZ Acting Head of Research and Advocacy on the growing calls to ban credit card surcharges
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mastercard has recently released a survey showing a significant amount of Kiwis want credit card surcharges banned. The data shows 61 percent of respo...
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor ahead of the release of Budget 2025
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Budget 2025 is set to be revealed to the nation tomorrow - and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has promised it will be a “No BS Budget” wit...
Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on the increase in businesses seeking advice about redundancies
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A record number of businesses have sought advice about redundancies in the first three months of the year, according to new Employers and Manufacturer...
Chris Dibble: JLL NZ Research and Strategist Consultancy head on the demand for retail space
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Demand's strong for bricks and mortar retail, despite the growth of online shopping. JLL NZ's new report estimates almost 255-thousand square m...
Joshua Tan: Export NZ executive director on NZ seeing the highest monthly trade surplus in years
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A strong primary sector performance has produced a billion-dollar monthly trade surplus - for the first time in five years. Stats NZ data reveals it s...
Winston Peters: Deputy Prime Minister on the foreign buyers ban, heckler at the rail announcement
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hints the foreign buyer ban could be lifted, but not yet. OneRoof reports rumours have been swirling with some agents telling them politicians h...
Enda Brady: UK correspondent on the UK and Europe establishing a trade deal
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The UK is hailing a new era of relations with Europe, as they seek closer ties on trade and defence. The new deal signals a resetting of ties with the...
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist outlines predictions for Budget Day 2025
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's less than two days to go until Budget Day 2025, and experts are outlining their predictions. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hinted this won't...
Ann-Marie Johnson: Retail NZ on a new report showing retail supply isn't keeping up with population growth
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from JLL says almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years, to meet demand. It says Kiwi cons...
EP08: Marriage Meets Marketing
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Georgia Patten chats with Shivana Pemberton, one of the founders of Four Words! Grab your Suntory Boss Coffee - It's brewed hot, chilled fast and...
Christopher Luxon: PM live in studio with Mike Hosking
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Prime Minister says his Government is calling out bureaucrats falling foul of the government's expecations. It comes off the back of Winston Peter...
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister says more 'small announcements' will come ahead of Budget Day 2025
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics. Prime Minister...
Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor with speculations about Budget 2025
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put asi...
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on what Moody's downgrade of US Government debt ratings means
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Moody's cut the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt and interest payments that outpace those of similar sovereigns. The downgrade ...
Stuart Nash & Jordan Williams: What does the budget need to deliver?
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government's budget will be announced this coming Thursday. Taxpayers Union Director Jordan Williams and former Police Minister Stuart Nash ...
What to avoid doing if you are trying to buy property
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and in this country, it can be really difficult to achieve. &...
Simon Arcus: Business Central CEO on what Wellington needs from the Government's budget
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government will officially announce its annual budget this Thursday. It comes as Wellington’s economy has been particularly hit hard over th...
Suze Redmayne: Rangitīkei MP on the changes to KiwiSaver that would allow it to be used to buy a farm
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rural community of members bill is looking to adjust the rules around KiwiSaver so that it can be used to buy a farm. The change would also ...
Rocket Lab's Sir Peter Beck: Mars, NASA, Neutron & national security
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] It’s been 6 months since I interviewed Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck. We have a lot to discuss fo...
Malcolm Rands: Open Letter on Tax Spokesperson on a potential wealth tax in New Zealand
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Green Party is suggesting an overhaul of the tax system in their alternative Budget. It includes taxing wealth, inheritance, gifts, and priv...
Chris Hipkins: Labour leader unveils how the party would reverse the Government's pay equity changes
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before. Laws pas...
SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 16th May
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Tech skills - upgrade now or fall behind
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Technology Users Association has issued a stark warning that New Zealand risks falling further behind in the global digital economy unless the gov...
NZ Super chief Jo Townsend: From 'pretty tough' upbringing in rural Tasmania to running an $80 billion fund
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, chief executive of the NZ Super Fund, Jo Townsend, shares her best and worst money stories with Liam Dann - from her upbringing in rural Ta...
Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on pay equity, school attendance, FamilyBoost
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Opposition Leader's welcoming Government investment into school attendance. $140 million from this year's Budget will go towards a new syste...
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management Equities Analyst on NZX making a recovery
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a memorable year for financial markets so far - but experts have noted that the NZX appears to have calmed down. After President Donald Trum...
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Nicola Willis hinting towards KiwiSaver changes in Budget 2025
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has talked up how changes to KiwiSaver, due to be announced at the Budget, will boost members’ balances. She's of...
Mike's Minute: The pay equity changes are in muddied water
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here is another example of the way the pay equity game is played by the media. If you choose not to call a minister the c-word, you run a headli...
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on Wayne Brown's manifesto for Auckland
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's upda...
Jonathan Eriksen: Superannuation expert on the Government making it's first ever Super Fund withdrawal
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand will pass an economic milestone in 2028, with the Government making it's first ever Super Fund withdrawal. The Finance Minister revealed y...
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Nicola Willis revealing the Government will make its first withdrawal from the Super in 2028
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Finance Minister has revealed the Government will will make its first withdrawal from the Super in 2028 - five years earlier than initially planne...
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the withdrawals from the Super Fund, rising superannuation costs
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says changes to KiwiSaver will be revealed at next week’s Budget. The NZ Super Fund will cover only 20% of futur...
EP 07: Fit To Build a Business
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your body is well acquinted with this brand and now it's time to get to know the story behind LSKD, as told by the founder, Jason Daniel! Grab your Su...
Wayne Brown: Auckland mayor outlines hopes for city's future in updated manifesto
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland's mayor is calling for more leadership - and labelling the city's innovation and tech sector 'random'. Wayne Brown has laid out a to-do...
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on Wayne Brown's manifesto for Auckland
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's upda...
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales managing director on businesses reaching the cut-off point to pay back Covid loans
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time is running out for businesses who took out a Covid Small Business Cashflow Scheme. It's five years today since Inland Revenue introduced the loan...
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the US and China's trade talks
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US and China have agreed to slash their reciprocal tariffs by 115 percent for 90 days. Washington imposed a 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports ...
Nigel Latta: 'The money stuff literally doesn’t matter to me. What matters is time'
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, for the first guest of the new season, Liam is joined by clinical psychologist, author and TV presenter, Nigel Latta, to discuss his career...
Gangs to tradies - How big is our 'informal economy' and how much tax are we missing out on?
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government is set to cut billions of dollars from spending at the upcoming budget as a cost-saving measure in these tight financial conditions. Bu...
Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management on developments in US-China trade talks, British Airways buying billions of dollars worth of planes and why BP's in the crosshairs of a takeover suiter
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Developments are being made in the US and China trade talks. A top Trump economic adviser says about two dozen trade deals are in the works with...
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on banks needing to repay $9.2 billion in Covid-era loans to the Reserve Bank
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand banks are being asked to pay up in the next few months. Kiwibank, BNZ, Westpac, ANZ and ASB will need to repay around $9.2 billion i...
How Port of Auckland is winning in a trade war
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] This episode takes you behind every aspect of Port of Auckland's 24/7 trade operation, including contai...
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large speculates about Budget 2025
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're two weeks away from Budget 2025, and the Government has been dropping hints about what we can expect. Prime Minister Luxon recently confirmed th...
Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director explains the benefits of encouraging investment in New Zealand
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Encouraging investment is a top priority in this month's upcoming Budget, according to new reports. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says it'll come from a ...
SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 9th May
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Labour: back Kiwi brains, don’t cut them
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reuben Davidson, Labour’s new spokesperson for science, innovation, technology, broadcasting and the creative economy, isn’t shy about the...
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the unemployment rate remaining at 5.1%
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The unemployment rate has stayed static for another quarter. Stats NZ figures just out show the rate remained at 5.1% in the March quarter. ...
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the unemployment rate remaining at 5.1%
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Finance Minister admits many Kiwis aren't getting as much work as they'd like to be. Unemployment has remained unchanged at 5.1% in the Marc...
Mike's Minute: Reform for the Pay Equity Act is good
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristine Bartlett was, to many, a hero. She was a very likeable woman. She was a caregiver who argued her work was undervalued and she deserved ...
Bharat Chawla: India New Zealand Business Council Chair on the beginning free trade negotiations
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Government delegation has landed in the Indian capital to kick-start Free Trade Agreement talks. The Prime Minister, along with several other...
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Minister addresses backlash to pay equity claim rollback
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government is urgently pushing through new legislation - lifting the threshold for pay-equity claims based on gender discrimination. The Bil...
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations Minister on the new rules for gender-based pay equity claims
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government says its new tough rules for pay equity claims will result in major taxpayer savings. The proposed law, which would lift the thr...
EP 06: Clean Company, Collect Customers
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know them, you love them, you drink them and now you can get the inside scoop... with Holly McGrath the co-founder of Clean Collective! Grab your ...
Meet a gold merchant melting MILLIONS worth of metals
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years. This is the first...
Tim Groser: Former Trade Minister on New Zealand entering free trade negotiations with India
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The state of foreign affairs across the globe could play into New Zealand's hands as it enters free trade negotiations. A Government delegation...
Greg Smith: Devon Funds expert on the factors driving the NZ markets up
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand's financial markets have taken a positive turn - following months of financial uncertainty. Greg Smith from Devon Funds unpacked the...
"A good property will always be rented": Property expert says it's always time to invest
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Standalone homes, townhouses, and apartments - which is the most profitable? CEO of Real Estate at Valocity joins Tim Beveridge to discuss prope...
Shamubeel Eaqub: We have to move toward he Australian retirement model
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Research by Shamubeel Eaqub finds only 32% of New Zealanders are satisfied with their financial situation, compared to 60% of Australians. He fi...
Why commercial property could be your next investment opportunity
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kiwis are pretty familiar with the idea of investing in property, but more often than not, it’s in houses, apartments, or other types of residen...
Why the US Dollar is Losing its Power
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] The US dollar is weakening, giving rise to other currencies. Is it about to be replaced as the wo...
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large speculates about unemployment numbers ahead of next week's data
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The next set of unemployment figures are due to be released next week - and speculation indicates they'll go up even higher. Unemployment was sitting ...
SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 2nd May
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Breaking Big Tech’s grip: Paris Marx on New Zealand’s digital future
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand, like many smaller nations, has become deeply reliant on American technology platforms for everything from government operations to daily ...
Leon Kingi: Otaki Business Association Member on the state of the town after the opening of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although some towns are feeling the pinch after the opening of motorways that bypass their towns, not all are struggling. More than 22,500 vehic...
Sam Trethewey: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on the Trump tariffs starting to impact corporate earnings
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US earnings season has started up again - and new reports indicate Donald Trump's tariffs are starting to bite. Companies across the US have reported ...
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank buying up foreign currency assets
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is continuing to buy foreign currency assets to give it more firepower, should it need to intervene in the market duri...
Richard Quest: Quest Means Business host on the first 100 days of Donald Trump's presidency, global impacts of the tariffs
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been 100 days since Donald Trump was sworn in as US President. His campaign was filled with promises of dramatic change, and he&rsquo...
Ryan Bridge: Budget 2025 will be frugal, but will Budget 2026?
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You can’t say we weren’t warned Nicola Willis would be taking to government spending like a butcher to a fresh carcass. She’s been s...
Nick Brunsdon: Infometrics Principal Economist on the positive signs from the latest employment data
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Employment data out today shows filled job numbers rose 0.2% in March. Primary industries led the growth up 04%. Infometrics Principal Economist Nick ...
EP 05: It Takes Two to Business
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It may take two and a half men to complete some tasks but when it comes to creating a success men's skincare brand it takes two, of a certain kind of ...
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on capital markets stabilising
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first 100 days of the new Donald Trump administration have seen capital markets undergo a turbulent few months - but things appear to be stabilisi...
Revealed: The business behind Auckland Football Club
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] In one season the AFC has grown from an idea into an entertainment empire. This episode takes you...
Chris Di Leva: The markets aren't looking too bad
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a tough time for the markets and the volatility has been hard to keep track of. The tariffs have obviously had an impact - but some experts...
How financially resilient are Kiwis? New figures tell all
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How long could you last if your income stopped tomorrow? Culd you handle a big, unexpected bill without going into debt? And how often do you worry ab...
Greg Smith of Devon Funds Management on the latest tariff developments, trade war's impact on the US economy and the good news for US tech stocks
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The stance may be softening in the trade war between China and the United States. Last week US President Trump said the initial 145 percent tari...
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on inflation expectations going up in new data
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Consumer confidence has gone back up - but new data indicates people are also worried about inflation. The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey shows consumer...
SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 25th April
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...