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The SME Stream
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Episodes
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the market's response to Donald Trump's comments about the economy
Stock markets across the US have taken a significant hit over concerns about the negative economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. After the…
The SME StreamSimon Arcus: Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO on the changes to the Government's procurement rules
Some changes to the Government's procurement rule book are being welcomed. Currently, there are 71 rules a business must follow to be awarded a government…
The SME StreamWhat's on the table at Govt's Investment Summit - and could it help National in the polls?
The Government’s focus on economic growth and foreign investment is back in the spotlight this week. Later this week, the much-anticipated Investment…
The SME StreamIs $120b KiwiSaver worthwhile
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] KiwiSaver funds have returned between 4-10% on average over 10 years. What investment opportunities are funds eyeing next…
The SME StreamPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on Donald Trump's impact on the economy
New Zealand is hoping for an economic reprieve - but experts warn that's less likely to happen this year. Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency has…
The SME StreamAmanda Morrall: Stabilising your finances in unstable times
Amanda Morrall joins to discuss how you can stabilise your finances in the midst of an economy in turmoil. LISTEN ABOVE The podcasts in the SME Stream contain…
The SME StreamThe cyber threat to critical infrastructure (with 2 ex-Five Eyes leaders)
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY] Cybersecurity is a booming industry but not for good reason. The former head of the UK & Australia's National Cyber…
The SME StreamHow one woman went from homelessness, domestic violence to financial independence
Emily Owens has grim personal experience of adversity and financial insecurity – from sleeping in her car, feeling trapped by domestic violence, and…
The SME StreamSam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert explains why equity markets are falling
Equity markets across the world have taken a dive - and one expert has explained the sudden drop. Donald Trump's tariff threat and collective concerns about…
The SME StreamMurray Harris: Milford Asset Management Head of KiwiSaver on the fluctuations caused by Donald Trump's tariffs
An urge for Kiwis to not worry about market impacts from Donald Trump's tariffs on their KiwiSaver. The US President's slapped import levies on Canada, China…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 7th March
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 StreamNZ risks 'riding cavalry into battle against tanks' without Aukus
New Zealand is not stranger to tectonic shifts, perched as it is on a volcanic belt, but the current geopolitical quakes may prove an entirely different…
The SME StreamTodd McClay: Trade Minister unpacks what Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could mean for New Zealand
The Trade Minister says he's taking potential disruption to trade very seriously. US President Donald Trump has sent stocks tumbling across the world after…
The SME StreamSam Trethewey: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on the current state of the 2025 stock market
It's a big week for the New Zealand stock market, and one expert is taking a look at the highest performers. As results reporting continues, some companies are…
The SME StreamGareth Kiernan: Infometrics Chief Forecaster on the economic impact of Donald Trump's tariffs
One expert has delivered a grim outlook for share markets around the world. Stocks have tumbled after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Canada…
The SME StreamLeeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the mood of business owners and growing confidence in the region
In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury’s Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what’s happening on the…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the recent drop in housing consents
The coalition Government wants more homes to be built cheaper and faster, yet official data shows an annual 7.2 percent drop in the sector. New data from Stats…
The SME StreamPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of Australia's GDP figures being released
Economists are outlining their predictions as Australia prepares to release a GDP update tomorrow. The Australian economy is predicted to have grown faster…
The SME StreamThe making of Microsoft's data centres down under
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE] US tech behemoth Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to open a data centre in New Zealand and has acquired more land to expand. Its…
The SME StreamNichole Lewis: Women under-represented in investment property ownership
A recent report found that women lag behind men in investment property ownership, despite a fairly even result for owner-occupied homes. Nichole Lewis joins to…
The SME StreamCan't afford your own home? Here's how to buy one with your friends
Today’s episode is for anyone who’s looked at the price of houses in this country and felt a bit depressed - for many, it seems like that…
The SME StreamDownturn damage control: The NZ companies in survival mode
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE ] Some of our largest companies are cutting costs to survive as investors shatter their stock. Equities analyst Aaron Ibbotson…
The SME StreamKelvin Davidson: CoreLogic Chief Property Economist on the connection between the gender pay gap and home ownership
Home ownership rates among women have gone up, but there's concern financial barriers are holding them back from investment properties. The latest edition of…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 28th February
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 StreamWill Bitcoin set us free
Bitcoin advocate Cody Ellingham joins the podcast to explain why we he is advocating for everyone, everywhere to get Ellingham explains his vision for how…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the Government's plan to set up Special Economic Zones for Marsden Point
'Special Economic Zones' or energy precincts could be established to strengthen New Zealand's fuel and energy security, according to the Government. Cabinet…
The SME StreamTom Aitken: Amico creator on the new app designed to formalise loan agreements between family and friends
If you've ever lent money to a friend or family member and never seen that cash again - a new app could turn that situation around. A former banker turned…
The SME StreamRate relief is here! But banks may not pass it on
Rate relief has arrived, ending two years of economic arrest. But banks may not pass on the cuts - Sean Keane explains why. The podcasts in the SME Stream…
The SME StreamCarolyn Young: Retail NZ Chief Executive on the calls for small towns to ditch the 9-5 retail model
Business owners are being encouraged to work with neighbours to keep small towns 'alive'. Napier City Business general manager Pip Thompson says Napier and…
The SME StreamShane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the increase in retail spending at the end of 2024
Retailers are hoping a sales rebound means an industry uptick has begun. Stats NZ data shows total retail sales increased 0.9 percent in the three months…
The SME StreamIs AI the modern Manhattan project? (w/ Silicon Valley's Sean Gourley)
Companies are raising hundreds of billions of dollars to achieve AI supremacy. PrimerAI founder Sean Gourley says it’s not just a tech trend &ndash…
The SME StreamThe OCR has been cut - so what should you do with your mortgage?
if you have a mortgage, you’re likely weighing up your next move after the Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate from 4.25% to 3.75%. More than 80% of…
The SME StreamHamish Pepper: Don't act too quickly after OCR announcement
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut the OCR by another 50 basis points this week. Homeowners and hopeful buyers alike have been eagerly watching recent OCR…
The SME StreamDavid Seymour: NZ needs to loosen investment settings
The Government today has announced plans to overhaul the Overseas Investment Act. Among the reforms announced, it will fast track overseas investment for…
The SME StreamRowan Simpson: Kiwi Entrepreneur talks start ups, business confidence, and economic growth
The name of the game for the government this year is economic growth and increased productivity. For that, what New Zealand needs is successful businesses. One…
The SME StreamNicola Willis: Finance Minister on the impact of the OCR cut and dropping interest rates
Banks could soon be competing a bit harder for our business. The Reserve Bank's signalling yesterday's double cut to the OCR will be followed by at least two…
The SME StreamLiam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the Reserve Bank raising issues with Stats NZ data
The Reserve Bank is urging the Government to take a hard look at Stats NZ, with a view to improving the timeliness and accuracy of key economic data. The…
The SME StreamMike's Minute: KiwiSaver reality vs ideology
Given the issues around KiwiSaver, it’s a miracle any of us save anything to become remotely independent in retirement. Last week we told you about the…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 21st February
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 StreamHow the venture studio model is changing the game
Chris Moore and Lucas Coelho, two-thirds of the co-founding team of venture studio Ryft, join the podcast to talk through how the model works. They discuss the…
The SME StreamThe Huddle: Are the OCR cuts good for the economy?
Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day -…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on today's 'double-cut' to the OCR
There's praise for the Reserve Bank tonight - from one of its fiercest critics. It's signalling this afternoon's double-cut to the Official Cash Rate will be…
The SME StreamAndrew Dickens: The Reserve Bank can't wait around any longer to cut the OCR
So yesterday I outlined the reasons why the Reserve Bank might not cut interest rates. I got that wrong. They chopped the rate by the expected half a percent…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the lack of information on the skills being lost due to migration
There's an unclear picture of what New Zealand's losing from people moving overseas. About 70 thousand Kiwis left the country last year. Of those, 38% were…
The SME StreamPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on Australia slashing their OCR by 25 basis points
There's finally some relief for Australian homeowners, as the RBA lowers interest rates for the first time since 2020. It held the cash rate at 4.3 percent for…
The SME StreamBrad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on what we can expect from the first OCR update of 2025
It's the Reserve Bank's first official cash rate decision for 2025 - and many economists are predicting a rate cut to start off the year. The RBNZ is largely…
The SME StreamThe untold story of NZ-made aircraft (+ test flight!)
On the outskirts of Hamilton, a 70-year-old business is building aircraft on a site once dedicated to the World War Two effort. The podcasts in the SME Stream…
The SME StreamRobert MacCulloch Auckland University economics professor warns against cutting
An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted. The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday. Many…
The SME StreamA serial founder's guide to being totally wrong
Rowan Simpson has been part of most of NZ's most well known and loved software startups: TradeMe, Xero, Vend, Timely and many more. Peter sits down with…
The SME StreamMartin Hawes: Mortgage arrears increase by 1,100 in December
New data from Centrix reveals that the number of homeowners behind on their mortgage increased by 1,100 in December alone. With the interest rates dropping…
The SME StreamBehind the biggest private equity deals (Wet & Forget, AS Colour, Bayleys)
[VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]. Ross George started Direct Capital 30 years ago – it's since raised $1.7b to buy businesses such as AS Colour, Wet…
The SME StreamIs it ever too late to start saving for retirement - and how much do you need?
The word ‘Retirement’ can prompt a range of reactions. Some yawn, because it’s ages away and there’s heaps of time to sort it. Some…
The SME StreamMatthew Horncastle: "I can't think of a single Kiwi who would be negatively affected"
Winston Peters has hinted at relaxing the foreign buyers ban for those who are willing to bring over the big bucks. The NZ First leader said plans to lift the…
The SME StreamSam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the collective response to Donald Trump's tariffs
The expanded tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump are contributing to economic uncertainty held by multiple companies, according to experts…
The SME StreamLiam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the Finance Minister's plan to boost competition in the supermarket sector
The Government has confirmed it plans to create more competition between the supermarkets as part of its growth plan. Finance and Economic Growth Minister…
The SME StreamSME Stream Weekly Wrap - 14th February
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 story of Being AI, so far
It's been a tumultuous first year for NZ's first AI-focused company to list on the New Zealand Exchange (NZX). Following on from a recent article on…
The SME StreamPattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the Government signing off on new rules for foreign investors
It's looking more likely that NZ First is on board with the new rules for foreign investors - including a shake-up for overseas buyers of property. New reports…
The SME StreamSimon Arcus: Business Central CEO on the need for financial compensation for businesses impacted by the Golden Mile works
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce says the council needs to financially compensate businesses affected by the Golden Mile works. Construction on the Kent and…
The SME StreamMike's Minute: We are losing to the Australian economy
A must read for a reality check is the ABC, as in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and their exploration of the New Zealand vs Australian economy…