Chris Hipkins is confident Labour's Capital Gains Tax policy can cover three free GP visits every year.

The party's announced a policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. 

The revenue would go into health, and creating a Medicard scheme.

The Labour leader says they've checked the numbers.

"We've done them based on the independent tax working group that was set up when we were last in Government. So that's the modelling that we've used in coming up with the costings for this one."

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Early this morning, the Labour Party made a surprise Capital Gains Tax announcement.

The targeted tax would raise funds for the health system, including three free doctors' visits per year.

The tax wouldn't apply to the family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and personal items.

Dentons Tax Partner Bruce Bernacchi told Kerre Woodham that, "people will call it a capital gains tax when it's actually not, because it's extremely targeted just on property."

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Governing parties have been quick to condemn Labour's proposed capital gains tax policy. 

The opposition announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. 

It would funnel the revenue into health.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been quick to label this scheme as 'half-baked' - and it'll likely drive the country further into debt.

"I'm just pleased that New Zealand today can see Labour's alternative for what it is. It's a Labour-Te Pāti Māori-Greens Government that will tax you more, drive the country further into debt and put the economy at risk."

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The rate Labour settled on for its capital gains tax policy is partially below the recommendation made by the tax working group six years ago.

The proposed 28 percent rate would apply to commercial and investment properties from July 2027 - with the revenue going towards health system.

Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale weighed up whether this proposal would bring in what Labour's promising.

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It's been a tough couple of years for the economy, but there's hope things will pick up sooner rather than later.

There's been an improved outlook on the NZX and NZME recently posted that it had upgraded its earnings forecast.

Jeremy Hutton from Milford Asset Management explained further.

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A former Labour leader says there'll be a sense a relief among many to see a new capital gains tax policy.

Labour's announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. 

The revenue would go into health, creating a Medicard scheme providing free GP visits.

Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge the OECD has been calling out New Zealand for being the only country in the western world not to have the tax.

He says Labour's putting it in place for the sake of fairness and making sure investment decisions aren't distorted by being the odd one out.

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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Malaysian company 'Yinson Renewables' is set to invest in a new pipeline of projects totalling one gigawatt of wind energy - almost doubling New Zealand's current capacity. 

The $3billion investment would generate enough electricity to power 750,000 homes - exceeding Huntly's current output. 

Head of Foreign Director Investment for Invest New Zealand Simon Ansley told Mike Hosking that the company has already been operating under the radar in New Zealand, and is now ready to make a major impact. 

'They've been supporting them through navigating New Zealand, regulatory environment, OAO, etc.'

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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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Belief that both employers and the Government need to up their game to ensure Kiwis are being hired before migrants. 

The Immigration Minster's getting tougher on employers hiring more migrants than unemployed New Zealanders.

Erica Stanford says employers will be stripped of the chance to recruit migrants if they're not looking closer to home.

Business NZ Immigration Specialist Rachel Simpson told Ryan Bridge the Ministry need to help businesses prioritise Kiwis. 

She says employers will always look locally but immigration is about the skills those people bring to the country. 

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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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Trusts are hardly mentioned outside of when wealth tax is in the news, or when someone mentions their accountant told them to get one.

One side of the political aisle seems to have a good list of reasons as to why someone would need a trust, while the other side seems to be convinced that essentially the only reason anyone would have one would be to hide assets. 

So what is the real purpose of a trust? 

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Funerals have become one of the most expensive life events in New Zealand — and for families already stretched, the cost of saying goodbye can add real financial strain. Brent Ruru, founder of Everything Funeral, joins Nadine Higgins to share how Kiwis can plan meaningful farewells without the heavy price tag, and why simpler, more personal options are on the rise.

If you have a question for Nadine, email [email protected]

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.