The SME Stream

Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton on the $53m Datagrid investment and why AL is reshaping electricity demand.

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We catch up with the Supreme Winner of the NZI Rural Women Business Awards, held last night at Parliament. Kylie is the owner of Southern Reproductive, an independent reproductive services and training business that she began five years ago.

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New Zealand businesses are selling like hot-cakes. 

ABC Business Sales' latest report shows there were 503 completed sales over the last 12 months, up 19 percent on the year before. 

The business broker says New Zealand is still in a seller's market with an average of 34 buyers per new business listing.

Managing Director Chris Small says they're sending out huge numbers of confidentiality agreements to people who want to look at the details behind businesses.

He says more than a 100 of these are signed, for the most popular businesses.

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S&P's Anu Ganti on what's driving Wall Street, the next phase of AI trade and what investors should watch in the second half of 2026 / Video. Herald NOW Business

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A banking expert believes there's enough competition as it is, between the country's eight largest banks.

The Financial Markets Authority's found all but one lifted floating mortgage rates 25 basis points after the OCR rose by the same amount this month.

The average bank lifted its savings rates by only 17 basis points. 

Massey University's Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking that there's always the argument competition's not working the way it should - but she thinks otherwise.

She believes banks are looking very closely at what each other are doing, and acting in response to that.

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Waitomo CEO, Simon Parham reveals whether fuel prices will reach $3 again.

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The United States has announced it will impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including New Zealand. 

After his previous tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, Trump is using the excuse that the countries are not doing enough to stop the imports of goods associated with forced labour to justify the increase. 

ExportNZ Executive Director Joshua Tan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that even if New Zealand fixed the alleged issue it would likely not change the tariff. 

"Look, simply put, the Trump administration wants a way to to enforce higher tariffs across the imports, and this is the mechanism that they've chosen. There is simply no way of avoiding it."

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The Finance Minister says changes to paid parental leave weren't in the coalition agreement for the current government.

The National Party is promising to extend paid parental leave to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

It would also allow parents more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking that the change would be a priority for a National-led government.

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Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.

The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks,  to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.

She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone for a short term role.

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

This week, Inflation swells, are petrol prices to blame? Exporters brace for more tariff hikes in the US. Plus, just when we thought procrastination was about laziness it turns out it could in fact be related to stress.

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