The SME Stream

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule. 

In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead.  

The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers.  

CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge a cap will give a balanced and more practical alternative. 

He says retailers like hospitality and tourism can recuperate some of their costs. 

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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. 

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The Reserve Bank ended the year on a hopeful note and brought down the OCR for the end of 2025.

The central bank cut the Official Cash Rate another 25 basis points today - bringing it to 2.25 percent.

Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explained further.

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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.

Chris Hipkins says coalitions require a balance of compromise and standing by values.  

The Labour leader says New Zealanders understand the nuances of MMP and the reality that parties can't get everything they want.  

He says that means parties often can't accomplish as much as they hoped. 

But Hipkins told Kerre Woodham some things will be bottom lines.  

Hipkins says an example of that is his commitment not to have a wealth tax, which he intends to hold to.  

Hipkins isn't laying out his plan for interest deductibility but says he hears landlords' argument for it. 

National brought back the scheme after Labour removed it in 2021, but its fate is still unclear if Labour makes a comeback in 2026.  

Hipkins told Woodham the decision will come out next year in Labour's alternative budget.  

He says he's heard from landlords who couldn't continue renting out properties after Labour's change in 2021. 

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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.

Welcome to a new podcast brought to you by Property Brokers and powered by The Country. In Episode Two of Land and Lifestyle Property Markets, Jess Davidson discusses with Property Brokers Rural General Manager Conrad Wilkshire, some of the current trends, sector insights, and the future long-term outlook for the Rural Property Market. 

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 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.

Part one - Rabobank’s Singapore-based global strategist discusses a world economy totally dominated by geopolitics. Could there be a silver lining for NZ farmers if Trump sells out Ukraine? And does he think the AI bubble will burst?
Part two - Rabobank’s Singapore-based global strategist diverts his focus to the NZ economy as we discuss this week’s OCR announcement, Trump’s tariffs, the commodity outlook and why food production is still a good business to be in.

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.

Fonterra's forewarning farmers falling global dairy prices could hit their bottom lines.

The dairy co-op recently cut its seasonal farmgate milk payout midpoint forecast - from $10 to $9.50.

It paid out $10.16 last season.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.

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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 Reserve Bank is set to deliver their final Monetary Policy Statement for 2025 tomorrow, and reports indicate the OCR will be cut further.

Economists are widely expecting the OCR to drop 25 basis points to 2.25  percent - with room for further cuts down the line. 

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham speculated further.

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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 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.

Chris Luxon says National's KiwiSaver election pledge will be a bottom line in coalition negotiations.

National's announced plans to lift default contributions to six percent by 2032.

Employer contributions would increase by half a percent from 2029.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says most of the policy is sound, but he raised concerns over some employers taking the increases out of their workers' pay checks.

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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.