The SME Stream

The economic impact of property investors is being quantified for the first time. 

A report commissioned by the Property Investors Federation estimates the sector added $24.8 billion to GDP last year. 

It also links investors to about 126 thousand jobs nationwide – about 5% of the workforce. 

Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Mike Hosking the lack of data has been damaging to the sector. 

He says it leads to bad policy which leads to bad outcomes, so they're trying to change that. 

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Nvidia’s growth is tied to a massive global build-out of AI infrastructure — but most of the spending isn’t coming from consumers. It’s coming from hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google pouring hundreds of billions into data centres and AI chips.

We unpack whether that spending boom can continue, why Big Tech is now turning to debt markets to fund it, and what happens if expectations around AI start to cool.

This bite is from our episode ‘The winners and losers of an AI revolution’.

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis has emphasised there’s a range of scenarios for inflation amidst the global oil crisis – not just the worst-case scenario of 3.7% outlined yesterday. 

“We don't know what's going to happen with factors that are outside of our control,” she told Mike Hosking. 

“We don't know how long the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed. We don't know whether Asian refineries will be able to access alternative supplies of oil in sufficient quantities, and we don't know whether importers will be able to access alternative supplies of refined products. So we're preparing for all of those scenarios.” 

The Government remained "hopeful" there was enough cover, refineries could keep producing enough fuel and importers could bring in the quantities New Zealand needed. 

Treasury would be the first to acknowledge their forecasts were “guessing games”, but "we have to plan for what could be around the corner so that if bad things happen, we're ready". 

Hosking pointed out other countries were taking action to relieve mounting costs, including heating oil relief in the UK overnight. 

But Willis said the UK and Europe’s energy and electricity prices were much more affected by events in the Middle East than New Zealand, which relies largely on hydro and renewables. 

Our Government is closely monitoring the international response to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 

Donald Trump is calling on several allies to send warships and other support to secure the strait. 

Japan and Australia say they currently have no plans to send naval ships and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer say neither will Britain be drawn into a wider war. 

But Willis told Mike Hosking there will be much to play out in the days ahead. 

She says they do want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, and it will be up to all countries to decide whether and what role they plan. 

"We haven’t been asked to participate in any particular efforts in the Strait.” 

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There's hopes the war in Iran doesn't reverse gains in our retail sector by making shipping more expensive. 

Stats NZ data shows back-to-back increases in electronic card spending for January and February. 

Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young says it's not happened in a long time. 

She says it would be a shame if the conflict dampens the upward trend.

"Let's hope it's a short, sharp thing and we can get back to business as usual."

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Westpac Chief economist Kelly Eckhold tells Herald NOW that NZ's long-awaited economic recovery is delayed, but not cancelled as Iran conflict continues.

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Treasury has released numbers on the potential fallout for the New Zealand economy from the Iran war.

It estimates that under a worst‑case scenario — a conflict lasting until the end of the year with elevated oil prices — inflation would rise from 3.1 percent to 3.7 percent.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says that number is too high - but is lower than Australia's current inflation - which is sitting at 3.8 percent. 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge forecasting in this climate is difficult. 

He says other spikes in oil prices have led to higher inflation - but this will all depend on how long the conflict lasts. 

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The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week and there's concerns about what it could do to the markets.

Iran's still restricting movement through the shipping strategic choke-point as part of its retaliation for the relentless bombing by the US and Israel.

Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.

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From April 1st, the KiwiSaver minimum default contribution rate will move up to 3.5%. 

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If you’re old enough, then you’ll remember there was a time when every Kiwi household had to pick a weekday where they wouldn’t drive.

Carless Days were introduced in 1979 as an attempt to reduce petrol consumption amid a global oil shock thanks to the Iranian Revolution.

The scheme was short lived – it was scrapped in 1980, after it achieved only a minimal reduction in petrol use.
So, why are we hearing about it again now if it failed so miserably? And, are there alternatives we should be looking at closer?

Today on The Front Page, transport commentator and Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie is with us to break down the idea, and maybe what others there are as petrol prices continue to rise.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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In this episode, I break down why most entrepreneurs struggle with inconsistent sales - their audience simply doesn’t remember their brand when it’s time to buy. I explain how brand memory works, the mistakes that make your brand forgettable, and the five pillars that make you instantly recognisable and top‑of‑mind when customers are ready to purchase.

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

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