The SME Stream

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More Kiwis than ever are in debt to the IRD, and one expert has a theory about why it's gotten so bad. 

As of March this year, more than half-a-million people had debt to Inland Revenue, and overall tax debt sat at $9.4 billion, of which Inland Revenue said 62 percent, or $5.9 billion, was collectable.

Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand lead, John Cuthbertson, says there's been a significant build-up of debt, largely as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"As debt ages, it becomes harder to collect - and we know that about 43 percent of it is over 2 years old. So once you get into that territory, it gets harder and harder to collect." 

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Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank has moved to keep the official cash rate in place at 4.35 percent.

The result was widely expected by economists and money markets, despite inflation remaining above the RBA’s 2-3 percent target range in the June quarter.

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says there's evidence that the Australian economy is slowing down, which is helping put downward pressure on inflation. 

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More people are starting businesses, despite tough economic conditions. 

Data shows there's been more than 62 thousand companies incorporated in the year to July, the highest number since 2021. 

That's despite latest Companies Office data finds liquidations have surged – rising more than 70% in the past three years. 

First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Mike Hosking the current gig economy is reducing a lot of barriers. 

He says inflation is bringing the GST threshold closer and people want to regain control in life. 

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Labour says small businesses are our economy's engine room, as the party launches a new election policy in Rotorua.

It's campaigning on a $2 million annual fund to help smaller businesses adopt AI tools.

It would also go into topping up an advisory group to help with AI use, and boosting mentoring and support.

Leader Chris Hipkins says small businesses want to adapt to this new technology, and they want additional support to make this happen. 

"So that they can weigh up how AI could help them, what the risks of using AI could be - it's just levelling the playing field." 

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EPISODE 112: Vanya Insull started VJ Cooks in 2016 with a Facebook page sharing videos of what she was cooking for her own family. Ten years later, it's a website with 800+ recipes, a meal planning app (CookPlan), three cookbooks (with a fourth on the way), and a social media following approaching a million people. 🍴

In this episode, Vanya takes us through the whole journey, from those first Facebook videos through to the systems, the team, and the decisions that turned a passion project into a genuine business.

We talk about:

🧾  The workflow and checklists that keep it all running

📅  Planning around the school term

📱  Content planning and social media - sooooo much insight!

🤝  Outsourcing early, even before you feel ready

🍰  Choosing collaboration over competition with other creators

Vanya is warm, funny and an open book. I got so much out of this episode and I know you will too.

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What happens when organisations genuinely listen to their people and act on what they hear?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Maria Coupland, General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now, to explore employee experience, leadership, culture, and the commercial realities of building high-performing workplaces.

Drawing on experience across multiple industries and countries, Maria shares practical insights into creating meaningful employee experiences, building trust through action, and partnering with leaders to drive business outcomes through people.

From leadership development and culture champions to employee engagement, recognition, and commercial HR, this conversation explores how organisations can create workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to contribute.

What You'll Learn

• How employee experience drives engagement and retention

• Why listening to employees is only valuable if you act on the feedback

• How Culture Champions can strengthen workplace culture

• The role recognition plays in engagement and performance

• Why leadership development should be continuous, not event-based

• How HR can build credibility through commercial thinking

• What it means to be a true business partner

Key Takeaways

• Great employee experiences start with listening and follow-through

• Trust is built through consistency and action

• Leadership development works best when leaders learn together

• HR creates the most value when it's connected to business outcomes

• Small changes can have a significant impact on engagement and culture

About Maria Coupland

Maria Coupland is General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now. With experience across multiple sectors and countries, she is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive while delivering strong business outcomes through practical, people-focused leadership.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations compete for talent and navigate ongoing change, employee experience has become a critical driver of performance, retention, and culture. This episode provides practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to create workplaces where people genuinely want to stay and contribute.

Resources

• Maria Coupland | LinkedIn

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Nicola Willis says the National's new proposed increase to the fuel tax, the new bed tax and the possible bank levy aren't new information.

A Taxpayers' Union Curia Issue poll shows 76 percent of National supporters want the party to promise no new taxes or tax increases.

The party yesterday outlined a promise for fiscal responsibility - including a commitment to lower the debt to GDP ratio and to get the books back into surplus.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says these proposals have been documented and National's simply being straight with voters.

"Three issues we've already been very open and upfront about, and I can be very clear with you that there is nothing that we are considering that you haven't heard about." 

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Property markets always favour either the buyer or the seller - someone's gonna get more out of it. 

It's hard to know what move to make in the property market, and even harder to know when.

Harcourts Managing Director Martin Cooper joins Tim Beveridge to answer your questions about the property market, and how to know when to buy, sell or hold.

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