The SME Stream

The Employers and Manufacturers Association is pushing for a bipartisan approach to business policy ahead of the election.

The EMA wants greater certainty for businesses. Including plans for manufacturing, a clear energy future and stable settings. 

Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking that as long as everyone can agree on the major settings, it shouldn't matter which government gets in. 

He says the changing back and forth over the past decade has been highly problematic. 

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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, Was our economy ready for an OCR hike? The seven countries National is eyeing up for trade agreements, and could the Indian Prime Minister’s visit further sweeten the newly minted FTA?

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The National Party is aiming to introduce legislation for its proposed social media ban for under‑16s before November’s election.

The move, replicating a ban already in place across the Tasman, might look like a neat political fix – but it is far more likely to fail, backfire and leave our kids and critical infrastructure less safe.

That’s the stark warning from veteran tech consultant and internet governance expert Daniel Spector, my guest on this week’s episode of The Business of Tech. Spector, a long‑time KiwiFoo stalwart and current Internet New Zealand board member standing for re‑election, argues that prohibition‑style policies are the wrong tool for the job. 

We don’t stop teenagers drinking by banning alcohol. We won’t stop them using TikTok and Instagram by declaring them off‑limits either.

Wait for the VPN boom

Instead, Spector says Australia’s under‑16s ban is already doing something unintended but entirely predictable – upskilling teenagers in VPNs, masking tools and hacking techniques, as they learn how to route around clumsy age‑verification systems and facial recognition. 

In his view, New Zealand is on track to copy a model that not only won’t protect children, but will produce a more technically adept generation of young hackers while entrenching a surveillance architecture dressed up as “child safety”.

We examine the deeper question politicians are mostly dodging: why are we attacking the demand side – who can log on – rather than the supply side of harm, like infinite scrolling, rage‑bait design and hyper‑targeted advertising? 

Spector highlights recent US court moves that treat addictive features such as endless scroll as “defective by design”, putting liability squarely on Meta and Google, and argues this is the direction New Zealand should be watching - and even replicating.

A golden age of hacking

Spector also lays out why Anthropic’s Mythos and similar cutting‑edge models are likely to usher in a “golden age of attack hacking”, systematically hunting for vulnerabilities in decades‑old code. Criminal groups will get them eventually, and board directors – with the potential to soon face personal and even criminal liability for cyber breaches – are nowhere near ready.

We talk zero‑knowledge proofs, digital identity, data sovereignty, and why outsourcing our safety to offshore tech giants and hurried bans is a dangerous illusion.

You can hear the full discussion with Daniel Spector on The Business of Tech wherever you get your podcasts.

Show notes

A Modest Proposal for the Orderly Dissolution of New Zealand. - Daniel Spector, LinkedIn

The verification layer did say 'yes'. Well... once. - Daniel Spector, LinkedIn

#DigitalSovereignty: A personal professional crisis. And a national one, too. - Daniel Spector, LinkedIn

NCSC got nation-state grade AI. Now what? - Daniel Spector, LinkedIn

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What does it take to lead people, strategy, and transformation in an environment of constant change?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Cath Lomax, Chief People & Strategy Officer at Southern Cross, to explore the intersection of strategy, leadership, workforce capability, and organisational transformation.

With responsibility spanning people and culture, strategy, and transformation, Cath shares a unique perspective on how organisations can prepare for the future while staying connected to purpose, people, and performance.

The conversation explores everything from workforce capability and leadership adaptability to governance, technology, wellbeing, and the evolving role of Chief People Officers. Cath also shares practical insights on self-awareness, resilience, feedback, and why future success depends on building adaptable organisations and leaders.

What You'll Learn

• Why strategy and people capability must be developed together

• How the role of Chief People Officers is evolving

• Why workforce planning is shifting from headcount to capability

• The importance of adaptability in leadership and organisational success

• How leaders can navigate uncertainty and continuous change

• Why self-awareness and reflection are critical leadership skills

• The value of governance experience in shaping executive leadership

• How technology and AI can support connection, learning, and decision-making

• What boards are increasingly looking for in future leaders

Key Takeaways

• Successful organisations align strategy, culture, leadership, and capability

• Adaptability is becoming one of the most important leadership competencies

• Future workforce planning is about skills and capability, not just headcount

• Strong leaders focus on what they can control and influence

• Self-reflection and feedback are essential for leadership growth

• Governance experience helps leaders think longer term and more strategically

• Technology should strengthen human connection, not replace it

• Building capability for the future requires continuous learning and curiosity

About Cath Lomax

Cath Lomax is Chief People & Strategy Officer at Southern Cross, where she leads people and culture, strategy, transformation, and strategic delivery.

With experience spanning strategy, leadership, governance, and organisational transformation, Cath brings a unique perspective on how organisations create sustainable success through people, capability, and culture.

She is passionate about helping organisations navigate change, build future-ready workforces, and create environments where people and performance can thrive together.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations face increasing disruption, workforce shifts, and rapid technological change, leaders need to think differently about capability, adaptability, and long-term success.

Whether you're a people leader, executive, board member, or HR professional, this episode provides practical insights into how leadership, strategy, and culture come together to drive meaningful organisational outcomes.

Resources & Links

• Southern Cross Health Insurance

• Connect with Cath Lomax on LinkedIn

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The Prime Minister discusses Marsden Point fuel security, South Island flood recovery and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit. He also rejects calls to phase out synthetic fertiliser and backs televising the Young Farmer of the Year contest.

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The Reserve Bank Governor doesn't want to hinder New Zealand's economic recovery any more than she needs to. 

Anna Breman has confirmed the first OCR hike in more than three years – lifting it from 2.25% to 2.5%. 

Former Governor Adrian Orr was open about trying to "engineer" a recession during the last cycle of OCR hikes. 

Breman told Mike Hosking that's not what she's trying to do. 

She says they try not to create unnecessary volatility, which means not hurting economic growth unless they absolutely need to. 

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Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

The Reserve Bank increased the OCR, for the first time in 3 years. Do we think this was the right call? Do we think this is good news for the state of the economy?

Both Labour and National have announced new solar-based policies. Do we think these can work? What did we make of the rollout?

What did we think of ACT's idea of a minimum three-year sentence for repeat burglars? Will this help? 

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The Finance Minister's again reiterating the volatility of oil prices as fighting resumes between the US and Iran. 

US President Donald Trump's declared the ceasefire is over as both sides accuse the other of breaching the terms of the ceasefire agreement.  

American forces have hit dozens of Iranian targets, while Iran's fired drones at US bases in response.  

Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking she'd just been celebrating falling petrol prices. 

She says in the past 24 hours, oil prices have jumped 5%. 

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