The SME Stream

Chris Hipkins reckons there was no easy answer to this week's leaders debate question on whether it's okay to be a billionaire. 

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says it's "nuts" to think billionaires are "morally offensive". 

Key told the Herald's Future of New Zealand debate last night that we should be celebrating business success like we celebrate sporting and musical success. 

Labour's leader told Mike Hosking he thinks there's something imbalanced about an economy that sees so much power and money concentrated in the hands of so few people. 

But he says there are also some very wealthy people in New Zealand who give a lot back. 

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Simpson Grierson Corporate Partner Anastasiya Gamble says global uncertainty is drawing investors back to familiar markets, keeping NZ firmly in the mix.

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The Minister of Agriculture and Trade reflects on PGG Wrightson’s 175-year history and the importance of farming to New Zealand’s economy. He also defends investment in AgriZeroNZ and discusses redirecting foreign aid funding toward medicines for Kiwis.

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Wealth Watch with Generate - Is the economy turning a corner? Greg Smith KiwiSaver investment and Managed Funds specialist from Generate.

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Historically, equities have done okay under left-leaning govts as looser policy sees stronger nominal earnings at least offset higher discount rates.

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The 2026 election campaign is a big topic for Kiwis, but it's not the only political topic impacting the economy.

France and the US are facing their own mid-terms and the results are likely to have wide-reaching economic implications.

Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further.

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A tick of approval for the National Party's small business plan. 

It's released a 47-point plan to cut red tape for them around things like employment disputes and health and safety. 

Small Business New Zealand Founder Phil Wicks says it creates a fairly cohesive plan. 

He told Andrew Dickens while any help is appreciated what businesses really want is a growing economy. 

Wicks says that gives businesses the confidence to hire more staff or invest in more equipment. 

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Labour has suggested that if elected, everyone in the public service would be paid the living wage of $29.90 an hour - $6 more than the current minimum wage.

Economists have raised concerns with this proposal and claimed this could likely lead to inflation going up.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further.

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Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence. 

The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms expect the economy to improve in the coming months. 

That's up from just 14% last quarter. 

Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens businesses want policies that lift productivity, and more certainty about what's ahead. 

She says they want to make sure they have access to the right people and compliance is reduced. 

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New Zealand’s housing market remains subdued, but the building work hasn’t stopped.

NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson joins Liam Dann to discuss the housing slump, the opportunities for first-home buyers, and how falling property values affect the wider economy.

They also explore the growth in build-to-rent apartments and hospital developments, signs of life in Auckland’s CBD, and what could come next for Seascape Tower.

The Economy of Everything is brought to you in partnership with CMC Markets.

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