The SME Stream

Labour's leader is demanding clarity on spending commitments in the India free trade deal - and isn't sure whether the party will back it. 

The deal lives or dies on Labour's decision, with Coalition party NZ First refusing support. 

Chris Hipkins says he's concerned about a clause he claims requires Kiwi businesses to invest $30 billion in India over 15 years. 

He says he wants to see legal advice before making a final call. 

"If that is a binding commitment, that we have to spend $2 in India for every dollar we get back from India, then is that a deal we should be supporting? That's a very live question for us."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OCR hikes are now expected to come much faster. 

Economists have been adjusting their forecasts after the Reserve Bank last week said it would take "decisive and timely" action if inflation continued to rise. 

ANZ's gone from forecasting one increase in December to three consecutive increases in July, September, and October. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking the Reserve Bank appears to be learning its lessons from the Covid inflation spike. 

He says during that previous shock, the central bank took too long to respond. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's largest bank is now forecasting three Official Cash Rate hikes before the election.

ANZ is predicting three consecutive increases in July, September, and October - bringing the OCR from 2.25 percent to 3 percent.

A week ago, most economists were expecting the central bank to keep the OCR on hold until December.

But the Reserve Bank's hawkish tone is prompting most to change their forecasts.

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner says there's a lot of 'medium-term' uncertainty as concerns around inflation linger.

"In real time, they're constantly having to weigh up the upsides and downsides of going too soon or going too late. And essentially, if you're at neutral, it might feel like a more comfortable space to perch and wait and see how things pan out." 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Get your bingo cards ready to cross off “worried”, “watchful”, and “ready to act”, as we walk the tightrope between higher prices and faltering growth"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tide has well and truly turned. 

We've had analysts forecasting a plateau for much of this year, with rates starting to turn upwards near the end of the year.

One thing is for sure - we're not too likely to see the OCR go any lower than where it already stands. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hot topic on everyone's minds right now is the price of petrol and diesel. 

It seems to be impacting the price of just about everything else, and we're staring down the barrel of a major risk of high inflation. 

The OCR remains steady for now, but it's only a matter of time before interest rates are on the up once again. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent KiwiSaver changes were meant to strengthen the scheme, but one expert says they risk doing the opposite.

Mary Holm joins Nadine Higgins to break down why cuts to government contributions hit low income earners hardest, and how current settings could deepen inequality over time.

So who is KiwiSaver working for? Why are some workers are missing out on employer support altogether? And what are the unintended incentives baked into the system?

Plus, the changes Holm wants to see, from government contributions for beneficiaries to emergency “sidecar” savings designed to stop people falling into debt when life hits.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the people closest to you think you're crazy for wanting to start a business, this episode is for you. I break down the real psychology behind why friends and family become your biggest critics when you start chasing something bigger, how to protect your mindset when the people you love doubt you the most, and the exact strategies I used to build a multi-million dollar business despite the negativity around me.

Ready to take the next step? Join my Business Masterclass and get the exact roadmap to building a business that works.

👉🏼 https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
📲 Socials: https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says the Government's still looking into how to get more fuel into the country.

It's put 20-million dollars towards an extra diesel storage tank at Marsden Point, south of Whangārei.

Chris Luxon says it will be built and completed in seven weeks.

He says told Mike Hosking they're considering offers for extra diesel, to fill the new tank.

Luxon says there are currently high levels of fuel in the country - about 53 to 63 days of each different fuel type.

But he says they want to additional diesel supply above and beyond that.

LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building resilience in the country's supply chain is key for New Zealand to weather international instability - Kelvin Wickham, Ballance Agri-Nutrients

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.