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The SME Stream
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Episodes
The SME StreamCarolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO and former group member on the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group dismantled
There's nothing to suggest the rates of retail crime have fallen. The Government's scrapping its retail crime Ministerial Advisory Group early - after three…
The SME StreamShane Jones: Regional Development Minister defends financial track record of his regional funds
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds. Around half of Crown Regional Holdings' loan book is…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics chief executive on the Government's signs a new standards agreement with Australia
More consistency across the Tasman in the standards for goods and services - could reduce administrative burdens and free up business capacity. A new agreement…
The SME StreamShane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what investors need to think about for 2026
More companies are reporting their profits from the final portion of 2025, and it's sparking investigation into what investors need to pay attention to…
The SME StreamMonday Markets with Forsyth Barr
Forsyth Barr's Zoe Wallis has all the investment tips for your Monday morning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The SME StreamRyan Bridge: A debate on interest rates
I was having a good old debate with a mate at the weekend about interest rates. We're of the age where, mortgages are a thing. In Auckland, quote a bog and…
The SME Stream(#89) How to Stay Focused When You’re Juggling a Million Things
In this episode, Iyia breaks down why staying focused as a business owner feels so hard when you’re juggling nonstop decisions, interruptions, and mental…
The SME StreamChris Luxon: Prime Minister remains hopeful for a fall in unemployment
The Prime Minister remains hopeful for a fall in unemployment this year. Unemployment's reached a 10 year high of 5.4% - with Auckland's unemployment rate…
The SME StreamShannon Barlow: Frog Recruitment Managing Director on the unemployment rate
The job market's remaining tougher, for longer, than many economists were expecting. Unemployment's reached a ten-year high of 5.4% in the December quarter…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 06 February
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 SME StreamJobs growth up but more looking, milk prices soar & $35m for fusion startup
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The SME StreamWhy our unemployment rate is still 'pretty lousy'
New jobs data out today spells worry for New Zealand’s economy. The unemployment rate was 5.4% in the December 2025 quarter – the highest since…
The SME StreamWilly Leferink_ Synlait Supplier on the company's expected $77-82 million half-y
There are hopes things will gradually turn a corner for Canterbury milk processing firm Synlait. It's revealed it expects to report a $77 to $82 million…
The SME StreamAlan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy, Finance and Strategy on unemployment
New Zealand's economic recovery could be more of a crawl, or a climb, than a bounce. The job market remains tough, with unemployment now at a ten-year high…
The SME StreamJenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Government's planned review into insurance premiums
The Government has launched a review into soaring home insurance costs - to take place over a six-month period. This investigation comes as AA Insurance moves…
The SME StreamKris Faafoi: Insurance Council CEO on AA Insurance declining new home insurance policies for Blenheim
Blenheim residents say AA Insurance has stopped offering new home insurance policies in their town, following similar decisions in Westport and parts of…
The SME StreamJohn MacDonald: My question to you about the economy
Do you feel better off than you did three years ago? With it being election year, that’s the question politicians are going to be asking you. It’s…
The SME StreamMethaneSAT: Unpacking New Zealand’s $30 Million space gamble
In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, we look at the rise and fall of MethaneSAT, the $30 million national space project that was supposed to cement…
The SME StreamThe Country 03/02/26: Mark de Lautour talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of Open Country Dairy talks about the Gulf Food Trade Show in the Middle East, why Trump is good for business, and the prospects for…
The SME StreamKiwiSaver moves into venture capital
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The SME StreamHas the economy turned a corner New Centrix data reveals all
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The SME StreamMark Smith: ASB Senior Economist on their expectation unemployment will fall slightly to 5.2%
Economists are divided on whether unemployment is finally starting to fall. Stats NZ is releasing its latest employment update at 10.45. Economic conditions…
The SME StreamPM Christopher Luxon speaks to Ryan Bridge on Herald Now
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The SME StreamKelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on the number of fixed-rate loans coming up for renewal
Many Kiwis re-fixed their mortgage last year and will be re-fixing their mortgage again this year too. Four in five borrowers have re-fixed in the past year…
The SME StreamBryan Thomson: "Fast, simple way" of working out the property market
New Zealand's biggest bank, ANZ, has downgraded its forecast for property prices this year. It says its previous forecast of 5% is looking unrealistic as the…
The SME StreamThe Country 30/01/26: Emma Higgins talks to Jamie Mackay
Rabobank’s senior ag analyst previews the bank’s NZ Agribusiness Outlook 2026 - titled "Keeping one move ahead". See omnystudio.com/listener for…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the fragile economic recovery
A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back. Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is…
The SME StreamTodd McClay: Trade Minister on the India Free Trade Agreement and NZ First pulling support
The Minister for Trade's attempting to put to bed concerns about our Free Trade Agreement with India, repeatedly voiced by the NZ First leader. Winston Peters…
- The SME Stream
Gareth Kiernan: Infometrics Chief Forecaster on the economic recovery looking unconvincing
The economy is still struggling to gain momentum. Infometrics says a lot of the indicators suggest that economic recovery is looking unconvincing. Chief…
The SME StreamWinston Peters: NZ First leader raises concerns with proposed FTA with India
Winston Peters claims our proposed trade agreement with India would let visa holders bring family members with them. The Trade Minister denies the FTA could…
The SME StreamHow She Got 15 Million Organic Views in 6 Months | Guest: Charlotte - &Breathe
Working harder doesn’t necessarily mean your business will make more money. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many business owners stay…
The SME StreamRural business update with Riley Kennedy on Ryan Bridge Today
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S&P500 punches through 7000, Treasury calls BS on claim gentailers are capital-starved
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Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist on their house price inflation forecast being revised down to 2%
Economists are expecting the Official Cash Rate to rise sooner rather than later, flattening forecasts for the property market. Cotality's latest report shows…
The SME StreamRobots and the new physical AI gold rush
Two Kiwi engineers who helped build the future of self‑driving cars in Silicon Valley are now quietly laying the foundations for the next great tech wave…
- The SME Stream
Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on the possibility of more OCR changes
The Reserve Bank spent most of 2025 lowering the OCR, leaving experts to speculate how these changes impacted the economy. Since then, economic and business…
- The SME Stream
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the possibility of the OCR going up later this year
The Official Cash Rate is expected to rise this year, although forecasters say predicting when is tricky. Inflation was stronger in the December quarter than…
- The SME Stream
Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group Managing Director on Michael Hill reporting its first positive result in over two years
A possible sign of the economic recovery with Michael Hill's New Zealand operation reporting its first positive result in more than two years. In the six…
- The SME Stream
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the market reactions to the NZ-India trade deal
Despite Labour raising some concerns with the Government's trade deal with India, the move has been welcomed by rural economists. Trade analyst Stephen Jacobi…
The SME StreamThe Country 27/01/26: Damien O'Connor talks to Jamie Mackay
Labour's trade Spokesman discusses the India FTA, roads, trucks, and the latest RNZ Reid Research poll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- The SME Stream
Paul Goldsmith: Justice Minister on the resignations of three of five of the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group members
The Justice Minister's dismissing suggestions there's an issue within the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime amid resignations. Three of…
- The SME Stream
Andrew Barnes: Kiwi entrepreneur outlines plan to revitalise Auckland's CBD
There's been growing debate over how Auckland's CBD can be revitalised after years of uncertainty and economic decline. The $5.5 billion City Rail Link is due…
- The SME Stream
Is economic recovery on the cards this year
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- The SME Stream
Will sticky inflation resist RBNZ moves Plus, Mag7 earnings, Precinct Properties fast-track wobble
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The SME StreamAndrew Nicols: How old is too old to invest in property?
Normally when property comes up in discussion, it's focused on the plight of the youngsters who are fighting to get on to the property ladder. But today, we're…
The SME StreamLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the annual inflation rate rising to 3.1%
Inflation's officially higher than it's supposed to be. Latest Stats NZ data shows inflation's reached 3.1% – up from 3% at the last update three months ago…
- The SME Stream
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert examines the risks impacting the equity markets
The new year is getting under way, but concerns have been raised over what investors should focus on for 2026. There's risks impacting the tech sector and…
- The SME Stream
The Country 22/01/26: Peter Newbold talks to Jamie Mackay
We take our monthly look at the state of the rural market with the GM of PGG Wrightson Real Estate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Working Hard But Still Not Making Money? Here’s Why
Working harder doesn’t necessarily mean your business will make more money. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many business owners stay…
- The SME Stream
Nick Brunsdon: Infometrics Principal Economist on the latest job data, state of the economy
Economists say New Zealand’s outlook is improving, but we're not in recovery mode just yet. SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows job ads dipped 0.3%, with…
The SME StreamMalcolm Fleming: Certified Builders Chief Executive on demand for construction workers increasing
Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities. SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3%…
- The SME Stream
Frontier or followers? How NZ can catch up on AI
New Zealand likes to see itself as an agile, innovative tech nation. But when it comes to artificial intelligence, the story is more sobering than triumphant…
- The SME Stream
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on whether homeowners have missed the perfect time to fix
Experts have indicated the Reserve Bank could be done cutting the OCR for the moment, and there's questions about what this could mean for homeowners. The…
- The SME Stream
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on Xero's rough start to 2026
Accounting software business Xero has started 2026 on a low note, with the share price dropping significantly. This is in line with other challenges in the…
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The Country 21/01/26: Andrew Murray talks to Jamie Mackay
Fonterra’s CFO comments on another good GDT Auction overnight to kick start 2026 (up 1.5%, WMP + 1%). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aimee McCammon: Pic's Peanut Butter CEO on the company reaching 41% market share in NZ
Another Kiwi success story. Pic’s Peanut Butter has now hit a 41% domestic market share in New Zealand. They’re forecasting 20% sales growth in 2026 after 20%…
- The SME Stream
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the predicted GDP growth for 2026
The new year is well and truly under way, and there's growing hopeful predictions about the state of the economy. GDP is projected to grow by 2.5 percent…
- The SME Stream
Matt Montgomerie: Forsyth Barr analyst on A2 Milk's shares dropping following declining China birth rate
New reports show China's 2025 birth rate was lower than expected, and that's impacted A2 Milk's shares. Data out of China revealed there were 5.63 live births…
The SME StreamJohn MacDonald: What the PM should have said about the retirement age
In his state of the nation speech yesterday, Christopher Luxon continued the great New Zealand tradition of kicking the retirement age can down the road. He…