As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.

This week, the OCR holds steady as the Reserve Bank tries to balance our struggling economy with rising inflation, the government announces its AI strategy, and the Maori economy bucks the trend of slow growth, plus how you can grow your investment portfolio with collectibles.

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.

This week, the co-founders behind sexual wellness brand Girls Get Off, Viv Conway and Jo Cummins, join Liam to discuss how their different experiences at school and growing up lead to them crossing paths, and eventually starting a business that wants to change how people talk about sex - even if banks, insurers and social media companies aren't quite on board yet. 

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 Finance Minister says businesses should be more confident about the economic recovery. 

The Reserve Bank's been weighing up lower-than-expected growth and higher inflation in its decision to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25%. 

Nicola Willis says businesses have been battening down the hatches. 

But she told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’re maybe more wary than they should be. 

Willis says all of the fundamentals in the economy are good. 

She says the Government is business-friendly and is on the side of those wanting to invest, make money, create jobs, and export overseas. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

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 left the OCR on hold at 3.25 percent - with the bank claiming it was waiting for more economic data.

Economists widely suspected the RBNZ wouldn't cut rates any further, and they believe there's more cuts to come.

Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan unpacked the market reactions.

LISTEN ABOVE

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.

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate still looks more likely than not, according to one expert.

The Reserve Bank's kept the OCR unchanged at 3.25 percent today, following six consecutive cuts.

It's waiting for more economic data, before further moves.

But Infometrics principal economist, Brad Olsen, says the bank's explicitly signalling the chance of more cuts.

"If things continue to evolve as they broadly expect, that will give them more scope to continue to cut the Official Cash Rate - maybe one or two cuts by the end of this year."

LISTEN ABOVE

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 isn't likely to get a better deal than we're currently getting, when it comes to trade with the US. 

Almost all goods to the US now face a 10% base tariff rate. 

Donald Trump's announced a 25% tariff rate for Japan and South Korea from the start of next month and may also raise tariffs on other trading partners. 

Business NZ Advocacy Manager Catherine Beard told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand probably can't negotiate a tariff rate below the 10% rate we're facing. 

She says if that's the best rate going, it's probably not worth New Zealand trying to get into a "David and Goliath" battle with the US. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

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 of Australia has defied market expectations by leaving its cash rate target unchanged at 3.85 percent.

Market expectations were for the central bank to cut its rate by 25 basis points.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham this came as a surprise to experts - but the central bank opted to wait ahead of the CPI release.

LISTEN ABOVE

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.

Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board.  

Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using Artificial Intelligence to reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use.  

He says it could lift our GDP $76 billion by 2038.  

BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens AI use for Kiwi small businesses is currently well behind Australia. 

She says to boost their productivity they need to embrace it, and there are plans to help support them. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

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.

Time's ticking for US trade partners to sign tariff deals with Donald Trump.

In April, the President announced most countries, including New Zealand, would face a 10 percent minimum levy - but has delayed their implementation. 

This week, he's promised to send out what he's calling 'take it or leave it' letters. 

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly revealed how the markets reacted.

LISTEN ABOVE

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.

This week, the Government's KiwiSaver contribution was halved under budget changes.

Employers will also have to fork out a mandatory 4% contribution to adjust for the deficit left by the Government's contibution.

That bump's expected to stifle potential salary increases, and in turn, our retirement funds - leading many to question what changes we really need, and what we can do for ourselves, to support our golden years. 

Retired financial advisor and writer Martin Hawes joins Andrew Dickens for Smart Money...

LISTEN ABOVE

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.