The SME Stream

Garth Bray joins Ryan for an update on today's markets news, thanks to Forsyth Barr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes Auckland's new International Convention Centre will be a huge drawcard for international delegates. 

A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report reveals the sector delivered $925 million for the economy last year.  

It shows international delegates here for conferences spent $645 daily on average – higher than holiday visitors. 

CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking they’re in growth mode with the new convention centre coming online.  

She says they now have a strong suite of convention centres across the country, which gives them a broader opportunity to take businesses of different sizes, different needs, and different requirements. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's issued a list of demands for the Government before it will sign up to the Free Trade Agreement with India.

Chris Hipkins says the FTA needs stronger safeguards against exploiting migrants.

He wants the full official advice on the deal released to Labour.

He says the Party's particularly concerned around the expectation Kiwi businesses will invest $33 billion in India over 15 years.

"I think it's almost entirely impossible, and that's why I'm surprised that they're trying to sign us up to that. To put that into context, I think that over the last 25 years, less than $1 billion NZD has been invested in India."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New housing data shows the market hasn't quite matched the mood of the economy as of yet.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand says housing sales are down 5.4 percent from January last year.

Prices were also softer, with REINZ's House Price Index dropping 0.6 percent compared to December. 

Property Investors Federation expert Matt Ball says it looks like the housing market will stay flat for the next little while, but it's about the bigger picture.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small wins for the retail sector, as confidence reaches a two-year high. 

A report by Retail NZ shows almost 77% of retailers surveyed in the fourth quarter of last year are confident their business will survive the next 12 months. 

The proportion of retailers with low confidence has almost halved since the third quarter of last year to just 6.6%. 

Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking businesses are now focusing on making small gains on last year. 

She says retailers have lowered their levels of stock as demand levels are lower, but they're now selling through it. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's economists are picking 6 consecutive OCR hikes from December - they're forecasting that it will hit 4% by the end of next year. 

The OCR dropped to 2.25% just before Christmas, which is where it stands now, but there have been rumblings for some time that we'd start seeing hikes soon, as all major banks lifted long-term loan rates. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've started to see spots of what looks to be recovery in our economy over recent months. 

It's not consistent, but it's frequent enough to give us some hope for the year to come. 

Westpac is picking a whole lot of OCR hikes from the end of this year, and other forecasts seem to set a similar scene - a better economy is coming, and rates will have to reflect that when the time comes. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says Labour's concerns with the India Free Trade Agreement is "politicking", and Chris Hipkins wanting attention. 

Labour's saying they want the un-redacted advice about the deal and greater protection for migrant workers. 

In a letter to Chris Luxon, Chris Hipkins wants more clarity about the clause which requires New Zealand business to invest $33billion into India. 

Luxon told Mike Hosking that none of their concerns are real problems. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herald Now Business host Garth Bray joins Ryan to talk the latest news in business, thanks to Forsyth Barr.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is hesitant to put their support behind an India FTA without the government meeting certain conditions. 

It says free trade is a net positive, but agreements shouldn't cause harm to New Zealand - which is what we risk with this FTA. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.