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The SME Stream
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Episodes
The SME StreamCarolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on the rising unemployment rate and its impact on the economy
Higher unemployment could continue to be a handbrake on the country's economic recovery. More Kiwis are out of work, with unemployment now at a five-year high…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 8 August
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…
The SME StreamAmanda Morrall: Why is refinancing increasingly common?
The number of mortgage holders refinancing their loans is the highest ever recorded. More than 3,500 borrowers refinanced in June, and experts are expecting to…
The SME StreamDebbie Roberts: Property investment isn't as passive as you'd think
Property investment has long been thought of as the way to make passive income. It's money coming in without the 40 hours a week - but is it really as passive…
The SME StreamChristopher Luxon: Prime Minister talks unemployment, Cook Islands, Road User Charges
The Prime Minister's blaming New Zealand's rising unemployment on the last Government's economic management. The rate's hit a five-year high of 5.2%, just shy…
The SME StreamInside America's Ivy League Admissions Industry
Crimson Education has been valued at NZ$1 billion (US$600 million) - but could its core business, getting kids into Ivy league, be destroyed by AI? Co-founder…
The SME StreamKate Acland: Tariffs will see NZ exports pivot to other markets
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impacts of the newly announced 15% tariff on exports to the United States. LISTEN…
The SME StreamPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of Wednesday's projected unemployment data
The latest unemployment statistics for New Zealand are due out tomorrow, and experts are divided ahead of the announcement. Many are projecting the market will…
The SME StreamTodd McClay: NZ trade minister discusses the impact of Trump's latest tariff hike
The Trade Minister's hitting the phones, as it's confirmed US tariffs on New Zealand will be higher than when they were first announced. The Trump…
The SME StreamTim Groser: Former trade minister says NZ could not have avoided Trump's Tariff
There was little this country could do to dodge the latest tariff - this from a former trade minister Donald Trump's raising tariffs on New Zealand goods to 15…
The SME StreamRyan Bridge: The economic freeze has no end in sight
It’s about that time of year when it feels like winter really starts to drag.... and it must be feeling that way for Christopher Luxon, too. It‘a…
The SME StreamDatacom at 60: Leading NZ’s tech giant into the AI era
This week's episode of The Business of Tech marks a historic moment: the 60th anniversary of Datacom, New Zealand’s largest homegrown IT company. I was…
The SME StreamWayne Boyd: Insights from a career spent on over 160 boards
This week, prolific board director Wayne Boyd shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, including pivoting from his planned legal career to…
The SME StreamMore Kiwisavers are looking at private equity - what it means for investment
Private Equity is starting to become part of the asset mix for an increasing number of KiwiSaver providers, with Fisher Funds the latest to ramp up their…
The SME StreamWhat the US tariffs mean for our economy - is it time we pivot our trade strategy?
From tomorrow, there’ll be a 15% tariff on New Zealand imports for US businesses. The announcement of the arbitrary amount saw us frantically send our…
The SME StreamLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the unemployment rate reaching 5.2%
Economic recovery is taking longer than many hoped. Unemployment's risen to a five-year high of 5.2%, up from 5.1% in the March quarter. New Zealand officially…
The SME StreamNicola Willis: Finance Minister on the unemployment rate, impact of tariff uncertainty
The Finance Minister says anxiety about tariffs will be playing a part in slowing down New Zealand's economic recovery. Unemployment's reached a five-year high…
The SME StreamJeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on Government debt levels rising globally
Government debt levels are rising globally - with many at risk of permanent structural deficits if they can't bring down interest bills each year. Cutting…
The SME StreamTony Morris: IRD Customer Segment Manager on the IRD revealing NZ businesses owe over $1.4 billion in unpaid taxes
New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports. Of 2025's number, $432.9 million…
The SME StreamSam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on what investors can expect for the second half of 2025
2025 is nearly halfway over - and it's been a memorable one for the markets so far. Between new developments in AI, ongoing economic uncertainty and Donald…
The SME StreamTodd McClay: Trade Minister on the uncertainty surrounding Trump's new tariff rate
New Zealand has yet to hear from the US ahead of Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline – 4pm today, New Zealand time. The White House says all countries…
The SME StreamBridget Snelling: Xero Country Manager on the Small Business Insights report and the industry performances
Agriculture is leading the way as the country's top performing industry. Xero’s latest Insights report shows consistent under-performance in New…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 1st August
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…
The SME StreamOpes Partners' Andrew Nicol: From 'poor' upbringing to owning 43 houses
This week, founder and managing partner of property investment company Opes Partners, Andrew Nicol, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann…
The SME StreamConcrete for a low-carbon world, with Neocrete’s Zarina Bazoeva
Concrete might be the backbone of modern society, but it comes at a steep carbon cost. As global climate pressures intensify, the business of…
The SME StreamSimon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO voices concerns surcharge ban will harm small businesses
The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce have warned that the Government’s proposed ban on retail payment surcharges risks hitting small businesses with…
The SME StreamDavid Seymour: Associate Finance Minister on the plans to find savings for next year's Budget
The Government has begun looking for possible areas for cutbacks for next year's Budget. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour said he hopes the Government…
The SME StreamMatt Ball: Property Investors Federation advocacy manager speaks in defence in investment properties
Jeremy Williamson, head of private wealth and markets at Craigs Investment Partners, recently claimed there was momentum building for Kiwis to move away from…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the shortage of available jobs for June 2025
Recent data shows there were 27,850 fewer jobs in New Zealand in June compared to the year before, and young Kiwis are being hit hard by a tightening labour…
The SME StreamScott Simpson: Commerce Minister on the Government scrapping in-store card surcharges
The Commerce Minister says he's disappointed in businesses who say they will pass on the cost of surcharge scrapping. Most in-store surcharges on card payments…
The SME StreamAnkit Bansal: Dairy and Business Owners Group chair on the Government banning in-store card surcharges
The Government's recent ban on on payment card surcharges has been met with criticism from the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government's announced it…
The SME StreamShane Solly: Is NZ ready for the global 'melt up'?
The Consumer Price Index over the June quarter was lower than expected at 2.7%, and it could mean a rate cut by the Reserve Bank next month. So is the New…
The SME StreamWhy you probably don't need a family trust
Trusts are billed as a way to protect your assets and pass your wealth on to the next generation, and they’ve become a common thing for a family to…
The SME StreamChristopher Luxon: Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in-studio to discuss potential changes to US trade tariffs
More uncertainty this week for Kiwi businesses exporting into the US. Donald Trump has agreed to a new trade deal with the EU this morning, which includes a…
The SME StreamKevin Milne: Tough trading and the loss of iconic Kiwi enterprises
Times are tough, many businesses unable to survive the cost of living crisis and downturned economy. Cultural institutions and smaller businesses alike are…
The SME StreamLisa Dudson: KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals - impacts and other options
The number of Kiwis making withdrawals from their KiwiSaver due to hardship is on the rise. In the year to June, more than 50,000 were made, compared to 18,000…
The SME StreamRob Clark: SEEK Country Manager says number of job ads posted to site continue to drop
The job market is slowly rebounding from last year's low point. SEEK's latest Employment Report shows job ads dropped for a second month, down three percent…
The SME StreamWhy US Drone Manufacturers Can't Catch Up
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]PrimerAI founder Sean Gourley was behind the Pentagon’s Project Maven. Now, he’s investing in the next wartime…
The SME StreamMark Peterson: NZX chief executive on his decision to step down from the role
Stock exchange operator NZX chief executive Mark Peterson has resigned from the role - and will step down at the end of April 2026. Peterson explained that the…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 25 July
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…
The SME StreamThe true cost of cloud: David Reiss lifts the lid
With Big Tech hyperscalers investing billions in local data centres and the Government taking a cloud-first stand, the migration of our data and applications…
The SME StreamTwo Raw Sisters: How they overcame health problems to become media moguls and healthy eating advocates
This week, Rosa Powers and Margot Flanagan - better known as the Two Raw Sisters - join Liam Dann to share their best and worst money stories, from how their…
The SME StreamPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on what recent inflation data means for the market
Concerns have been raised among economists as inflation data suggests things may not be as on track as they seem. Inflation has hit 2.7 percent, with big food…
The SME StreamCameron Bagrie: Independent Economist on inflation reaching 2.7%
Inflation is coming dangerously close to the top end of the Reserve Bank’s target band. It’s reached 2.7% year-on-year – the main drivers…
The SME StreamCarolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on increasing business optimism despite economic challenges
Retailers across the country are surprisingly optimistic in the face of ongoing economic challenges. The latest Retail NZ report reveals nearly 70% of…
The SME StreamMike's Minute: Why are we looking to discuss employee pay?
It’s the sort of theoretical nonsense you would expect from a bunch of wonks like the Labour Party, but blow me down if National hasn't clambered on…
The SME StreamLiam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the CPI rising to 2.7 percent in June
Inflation's cooling in many corners of the economy, but not headline inflation. Latest Stats NZ figures suggest core inflation and domestically-driven…
The SME StreamShane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on whether the OCR will cut rates in August
Stats NZ recently reported annual inflation increased to 2.7 percent in the three months to the end of June, and it's sparked concerns among experts…
The SME StreamRyan Bridge: Should we be worried about the business of business cases?
ACT's insistence that the Waikato University doctors school cost was out of whack and based on a poor quality business case seems to have been proven correct…
The SME StreamRupert Carlyon: We need to teach our kids about money
We all want our kids to do better than we did, and a major part of that is teaching them how to set themselves up financially. Founder and managing director at…
The SME StreamThe cost of divorce: What not to do if you want to hold onto your money
We all know that ‘til death do us part’ doesn’t always end up that way, even if we don't like thinking about it. But divorce can be…
The SME StreamChristopher Luxon: Prime Minister discusses tariffs and education with Mike Hosking
Christopher Luxon is staying upbeat about New Zealand's trading relationship with the US. Donald Trump's threatening to raise tariffs against key trading…
The SME StreamJohn MacDonald: The "overqualified" jobseekers behind the dole numbers
There’s no doubt the news that the number of people on a benefit in New Zealand is up to the 400,000 mark will have some people tut-tutting. But before…
The SME StreamNew Zealand’s Secret Stargate AI Link
A New Zealand investment firm is involved in infrastructure required to build OpenAI, Oracle & Softbank’s enormous AI Stargate compute project in Texas…
The SME StreamLouise Upston: Social Development Minister says more jobs are coming to address the rising number of beneficiaries
The Social Development Minister says more jobs are coming to address the number of people on the benefit rising. Ministry of Social Development statistics show…
The SME StreamRobbie Paul: Icehouse Ventures CEO on the company opening a seed fund to back NZ's latest emerging companies
The hunt is on for New Zealand's next big new start-up. Icehouse Ventures recently opened a $30 million seed round in an attempt to fund 30 new Kiwi-made…
The SME StreamPhil O'Reilly: Former Welfare Advisory Group member on benefit numbers increasing
A welfare expert's pointing to the lack of jobs being the main reason more people are ending up on the benefit. Ministry of Social Development statistics show…
The SME StreamChristine Rankin: Former WINZ CEO on benefit numbers increasing overall despite the Govt getting 81 thousand people off
The former Work and Income boss says the Government getting 81 thousand people off the benefit is a big achievement, despite the overall number going up…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 18th July
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…
The SME StreamFrom Auckland to orbit: Zenno’s bold bet on magnetic space tech
One of New Zealand’s most ambitious startups, Zenno Astronautics, is undertaking pioneering work with superconducting magnets to address one of the most…