The Reserve Bank Governor is defending not going harder with cuts to the Official Cash Rate. 

The cash rate has been cut 25 basis points to 3%. 

But it's signalling more cuts than it was before, and has revealed two of the six Monetary Policy Committee members actually wanted a bigger cut. 

Christian Hawkesby told Mike Hosking he stands by the central bank's decisions. 

He says they're focused on their mandate of controlling inflation over the medium term, but the recent slowdown has changed their outlook. 

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A steady slide to the OCR is gently flowing through to households. 

The Reserve Bank's cut the cash rate from 5.5% to 3% over the past 13 months and is also signalling further possible cuts on the way. 

Assistant Governor Karen Silk says many people have been fixing on higher short-term rates while they hold out for lower long-term rates. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge it’s important that monetary policy can stimulate the economy, and the Reserve Bank has made a clear decision to ensure interest rates can fall 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. 

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The Reserve Bank is signalling further OCR cuts, but making no promises.

It's slashed the cash rate 25 basis points today, to 3 percent.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is a sign that the screws are off the economy.

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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 is widely expected to cut the OCR tomorrow, according to new reports.

The OCR is currently sitting at 3.25 percent and the major banks have already been dropping their mortgage interest rates in anticipation.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham outlined his predictions.

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Former economist and investment manager Gareth Morgan was caught off-guard by an AI deepfake using his voice and likeness, and he's warned people to be careful.

The investment scam made the rounds on Facebook and Instagram and encouraged Kiwis to invest in a vaguely-defined US-based scheme.

Gareth Morgan says his daughter showed him the scam - and it almost had him fooled. 

"The only giveaway is the backdrop, I don't recognise the house behind me. But everything else - the face, the lip movements, the voice, obviously - I can't tell."

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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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There are tentative signs of recovery, as a troubled construction sector looks to turn the corner. 

A new report shows the sector generated $94 billion in revenue in the year to March, down slightly from $99 billion the year prior. 

Despite this, the report shows residential consents have levelled off, government infrastructure projects are restarting, and falling interest rates are supporting mortgage activity. 

Combined Building Supplies Co-Op CEO Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking the Government is doing everything it promised to do to help. 

He says he couldn't even get in front of the Construction Minister in the last government, but this government actually listens. 

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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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Financial results are coming in thick and fast. 

a2 Milk is reporting a 21% rise in profit alongside announcing it has bought the Yashili  plant in Pokeno. 

It's also sold its majority stake in the Mataura Valley plant in Gore to Open Country Dairy. 

Contact Energy's profit is up 13% after a surge in geothermal generation. 

Freightways' profit is up 12.9%. 

Chief executive Mark Troughear is putting it partly down to strong growth in Australia. 

He told Mike Hosking he’s been through three recessions in this business and they’re all a little bit different, but he thinks we may have just broken the back of this current one. 

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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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Financial results are coming in thick and fast.

a2 Milk is reporting a 21 percent rise in profit - alongside announcing it bought the Yashili plant in Pokeno.

It's also sold its majority stake in the Mataura Valley plant in Gore - to Open Country Dairy.

Contact Energy's profit is up 13-percent, after a surge in geothermal generation, and Freightways' profit is up 12.9 percent.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacks the mood of the markets.

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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.

Tax deductions can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out what you can and can’t claim if you're running a business or are self-employed.

So, what’s a legit deduction and what’s not? How do you make the most of what you can claim without crossing the line? And what happens if the IRD think you've crossed that line?

Catriona Knapp, director at Future Focused Accountants ,joins Nadine Higgins to share practical tips, clear up common misconceptions and help you feel confident come tax time.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [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.

New Zealand could secure a place in the global AI economy with a sustainable data centre

Research by the Maxim Institute has looked at leveraging the country's renewable energy, cool climate, and strong privacy laws to become a hub in the Asia–Pacific. 

Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour says high energy costs must be tackled in order to seize the opportunity. 

He told Mike Hosking AI servers use huge amounts of energy - but some large players are already investing in New Zealand. 

Scrimgeour says Amazon and Microsoft are investing heavily, and is expected to count for about 10 billion dollars in GDP over the next 15 years. 

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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.