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 of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. 

In this weekly wrap, positivity from the retail sector, the gender pay gap is still looming - I’ll tell you which women are now working for free for the rest of the year...plus how to structure your mortgage, and inspiring chats with the founders of Kiwi start-up Nature Baby and the lads from Business in Between.

The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bit of life is coming back into the property market, but investors think the best is yet to come.  

The CoreLogic October Housing report has found almost a quarter of the properties bought were by people who own multiple properties.  

The Property Investors Federation says there should be a pickup mid next year as mortgage rates continue to fall.  

Advocacy Director Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge there are some bargains to be had. 

He says some investors are buying up run down homes and doing them up for a profit. 

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The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts from Australia and New Zealand are meeting with leaders in Malaysia to discuss how to improve business and security.

The three groups are expected to discuss new opportunities and challenges - and outline new solutions.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained what could come out of these discussions.

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The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's chief executive and board faced up to some very disappointed shareholders at today's annual general meeting.

Company chief executive Andrew Reding revealed margins were under pressure - with revenue down 12 percent in September versus 7 percent down in July and August, compared to the year earlier.

NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander was at the meeting, and he noted the company seemed 'humbled'.

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The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has revealed pipfruit export growth is outstripping national export growth. 

The industry contributed just under $2 billion to New Zealand's economy last year. 

Export value increased from $347 million in 2012 to more than $892 million in 2023. 

Apple and Pears chairperson Lesley Wilson told Mike Hosking the regional impacts are huge. 

She says they're the third-highest contributor to Hawke's Bay's GDP, second in Tasman, and Gisborne is also third largest growing region. 

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The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi start-up Nature Baby is looking to expand into the US market again.

What started as a small business operating out of an Auckland flat has grown into a multi-million dollar business - and co-owners Jacob and Georgia Faull are looking to re-launch the brand overseas.

Jacob says the brand's not immune to the effects of the current economic downturn - but the 'green shoots' in the economy are giving them hope.

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The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Royal College of GPs says registration fast-tracks will mean someone coming to New Zealand won't have to wait months. 

The Medical Council's introducing faster registrations for doctors with specialist qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and Australia.  

It comes after Australia introduced something similar for GPs from here, the UK, and Ireland.  

College of GPs President Samantha Murton told Mike Hosking New Zealand is an attractive option for people to come work.  

She says there's a lot of people who want to come – 41% of medical professions are overseas graduates, and there are jobs available in certain areas.  

Murton says there's plenty of roles in General Practice, psychiatry, and anaesthetics. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce says widening the region's key road will benefit everyone.  

The Hawke's Bay Expressway is being upgraded from two lanes to four as part of the Roads of National Significance programme. 

The route carries 29,000 vehicles a day, including those transporting goods to and from the Napier port. 

Chamber Chief Executive Karla Lee told Mike Hosking it's well past its use-by-date.  

She says a lot of trucks use it to get to the port, which is incredibly important for their freight. 

Lee says it's also huge for the commuters who go between Napier and Hastings every day. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small business affairs Minister Andrew Bayly has found himself in hot water after a member of the public complained he swore at, mocked and ridiculed him during a ministerial visit.

The Prime Minister’s office has released a letter from the complainant which alleges Minister Bayly repeatedly called the person a loser and made an ‘L’ sign with his fingers on his forehead.

Andrew Bayly has “unreservedly apologised” and tells Heather du Plessis Allanit was the person concerned who decided to make the matter public.

LISTEN ABOVE 

The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial adviser and coach Hannah McQueen joins Tim Beveridge to discuss how to split your mortgage to pay as little as possible in the long run. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The podcasts in the SME Stream contain general information only, not financial or professional advice. Any opinions expressed in the podcasts are not necessarily shared by BNZ, or its related entities. BNZ is not liable for any losses resulting from the content of the podcasts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.