The SME Stream

Centrix data shows households are still cautious about extra debt as borrowing costs rise.

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Cyclenomics' Matt Carter on turning waste tyres into valuable materials while finding new ways to grow a small business in a tough economy.

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The Reserve Bank looks set to turn the screws on interest rates again today. 

Most economists expect the OCR to rise from 2.5% when the decision is announced at 2pm. 

One or two further hikes are forecast before Christmas. 

BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Mike Hosking he expects the Monetary Policy Committee to reach a consensus on the increase, but it’s possible not everyone will agree. 

He says the Reserve Bank hinted strongly in July that we would see additional rate increases, and there's been nothing in the numbers since to change that. 

However, Jones says a pause will eventually be needed to see how the economy's handling the higher rates. 

He says that time isn't now, but probably when the rate reaches 3%. 

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The Government's being criticised for giving the country the run-around with next year's fuel tax.  

It's cancelled the 12 cent per litre hike and equivalent lift to road user charges that were set to take effect in January.  

The next rise of five cents a litre now kicks in from January 2028.  

AA Fuel Spokesperson Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge the Land Transport Fund has been under stress because it's unable to get enough money to do the work that's needed. 

He says any time there's funding uncertainty or money is removed from it, it adds to the problem, kicking it down the road and making it bigger in the future. 

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ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner says a survey showing high business optimism is especially encouraging when it's matched with proven past performance.

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Our country has been borrowing more money to fund stuff, including everyday spending and election promises.

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Not just nostalgia... it's also the framing one of the major ratings agencies has taken in affirming New Zealanders are still bankable.

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Sasha McLeod, founder of DoseBuddy, a reusable medicine syringe for kids, with numbers that never rub off and a cap that stops the mess.

In this episode, Sasha takes us through the journey from that 2am frustration to a fully realised, regulated medical product.

We talk about:

🍼  How she validated her idea
💸  Using PledgeMe to fund the first manufacturing run
📢  Building a brand and community by sharing it all publicly, delays included
📱  Her approach to digital marketing and founder-led content
👶🏻  Juggling a full-time job, motherhood, and building a business on the side

Sasha is so open and honest about the process, and because digital marketing is her actual day job, this episode ends up being as much a masterclass in brand and social strategy as it is a founder story.

I know you'll love my korero with Sasha as much as I did.

After the episode, head to dosebuddy.co to check out this amazing new product for yourself (already a staple in my home), and follow @dosebuddy on Instagram to follow along the journey as Sasha grows her brand.

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How do organisations evolve without losing what already makes them successful?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Monica Ayers, Chief People Officer at New Zealand Post, to explore leadership, organisational transformation, workforce capability, and the realities of leading people strategy inside one of New Zealand’s most recognised organisations.

With experience spanning insurance, local government, and large-scale operational environments, Monica shares practical insight into redesigning operating models, navigating strategic change, and preparing organisations for the future of work.

From balancing legacy systems with innovation to building workforce capability in rapidly changing environments, this conversation explores the intersection of strategy, culture, leadership, and long-term organisational performance.

The discussion also dives into inclusion, workforce planning, AI, generational shifts, leadership influence, and the challenge of helping organisations stay future-ready while managing immediate operational pressures.

What You’ll Learn

• How large organisations approach operating model transformation

• Why organisational capability should drive workforce planning

• The relationship between strategy, culture, and performance

• How HR leaders can influence long-term thinking during economic pressure

• What future workforce capability looks like in practice

• The role AI may play in workforce design and capability planning

• Why inclusion and diversity remain commercially important

• How to balance operational delivery with long-term organisational sustainability

• What HR professionals need to understand about leadership influence

• How “work imagined versus work done” shapes organisational performance

Key Takeaways

• Organisational transformation requires alignment between strategy, structure, culture, and capability

• Future workforce planning starts with understanding organisational capability needs

• Strong HR leadership balances immediate pressures with long-term thinking

• Inclusion and diversity are critical to future workforce sustainability

• Leadership influence relies on understanding business priorities and communication styles

• High-performing organisations listen closely to frontline realities

• Data, insights, and storytelling are increasingly important HR capabilities

• The future of work requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and continuous learning

About Monica Ayers

Monica Ayers is Chief People Officer at New Zealand Post, where she leads the organisation’s people functions across employment relations, remuneration, organisational development, talent, and safety and wellbeing.

She joined NZ Post in 2020 and has played a key role in supporting organisational transformation and future workforce capability planning during a period of significant change and investment.

Monica has held senior HR leadership roles across insurance, local government, and large-scale operational environments, and is recognised for her pragmatic, future-focused approach to people strategy and leadership.

Why This Episode Matters

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or business owner navigating transformation, workforce change, or future capability planning, this episode offers practical insight into what large-scale organisational leadership actually looks like in practice.

It’s a grounded conversation about balancing operational realities with future readiness, while keeping people, culture, and organisational performance aligned through change.

Resources & Links

• New Zealand Post

• Monica Ayers | LinkedIn

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The Finance Minister says the Government has made the right move in delaying increase to the fuel tax at this stage.

The excise was due to rise 12-cents a litre next January, but has been delayed to the following year - and will only be five cents.

Nicola Willis says the Government is still on the path to returning to surplus, and they've determined they can fit this in as part of it.

"Ultimately, we've judged that we can fit it and also meet all of our budget responsibility rules in terms of maintaining that path to surplus - ensuring that we're still going to get debt tracking down."

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