The SME Stream

With second quarter earnings season getting underway, what’s top of mind for investors right now? Roger Garrett from Craigs Investment Partners. 

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ANZ card spending data flat for June, lifting over 12 months; ComCom putting more resources into enforcing rules and penalties for grocery supply deals. 

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It's thought another split vote could be on the cards for today's OCR decision.  

The Reserve Bank will announce its decision at 2pm.  

BNZ Head of Research Stephen Toplis expects a 25 basis point increase, taking it from 2.25% to 2.5%.  

He told Mike Hosking the war in Iran has increased uncertainty about the economy's future.  

Toplis says banks have already priced in three rate hikes to their mortgage rates – only those on a floating rate should see a major shift. 

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There's concern around restraint of trades being cut and pasted across all levels of the workforce. 

A new OECD study reveals 43% of the country's employees are covered by them – more than the 14 other countries surveyed.  

The study notes it's fair for companies to require employees to wait some time before starting work for competitors, but notes some could be going overboard with prohibitive clauses. 

Employment specialist Jennifer Mills told Mike Hosking most restraints are all the same, and an employer may need to ask the authority to vary the restraint to ensure it's reasonable to uphold. 

But she also believes most Kiwis are pretty savvy when it comes to restraints – most cases are negotiated, and people will often approach their employer directly to find a satisfactory outcome.  

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There's division over whether the Official Cash Rate will be hiked or hold steady at 2.25 percent. 

ANZ and BNZ are both picking it will be raised by 25 points. 

NZIER is expecting the Reserve Bank's board to be split and for Governor Anna Breman to make the captain's call on it. 

NZIER Senior Economist Ting Huang told Ryan Bridge her own group had mixed views but one prevailed. 

She says the majority of members thought holding it at 2.25 percent was the best option. 

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Perhaps the greatest, fairest and most sustainable option is helping roughly half the population do better in business.' Garth Bray 2degrees Business.  

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What happens when a serious workplace issue lands on your desk and everyone is looking to you for answers?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with employment lawyer Matthew Dearing to unpack what effective leadership, decision-making, and risk management actually look like when organisations are navigating high-pressure employment relations situations.

With experience spanning specialist employment law, in-house counsel, and executive advisory roles, Matthew shares practical insight into handling restructures, investigations, serious misconduct, migrant exploitation claims, executive exits, and reputational risk.

This conversation goes beyond legal process and explores the real-world balancing act between operational realities, procedural fairness, leadership judgement, and organisational reputation.

From “don’t panic leadership” to the changing employment law landscape in New Zealand, this episode offers grounded, highly practical advice for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners managing complexity.

What You’ll Learn

• How to lead calmly and effectively during workplace crises

• Why HR and legal leaders must bring solutions, not just problems

• The importance of defining the real issue before acting

• How to manage investigations involving reputational risk

• What “don’t panic leadership” looks like in practice

• The role of confidentiality and privilege in sensitive workplace matters

• How procedural fairness and pragmatism can coexist

• The impact of recent employment law changes around serious misconduct

• What employers need to understand about the new high-income threshold

• Where AI fits into employment relations and legal practice

Key Takeaways

• Strong leadership during workplace crises requires calm, structure, and clear communication

• Early escalation and involving the right people reduces organisational risk

• Investigations should focus on facts, not assumptions or emotion

• Procedural fairness still matters, even with changing legislation

• Business impact, operational realities, and reputation all influence decision-making

• Good process protects both people and organisations

• AI can support efficiency, but human judgement remains essential

• Organisations should treat every major issue as a learning opportunity

About Matthew Dearing

Matthew Dearing is a Senior Associate at Edwards Sluiters, one of New Zealand’s largest specialist employment law firms.

He has extensive experience advising organisations on employment relations, restructures, investigations, serious misconduct, restraint of trade matters, executive exits, and workplace risk.

Prior to joining Edwards Sluiters, Matthew served as Employment Relations Legal Counsel for Wilson Group and previously held the role of Head of Legal and General Counsel for the EMA.

Known for his calm, pragmatic approach, Matthew works closely with organisations to navigate complex workplace issues while balancing legal, operational, and reputational considerations.

Why This Episode Matters

For HR professionals, executives, business owners, and leaders dealing with workplace complexity, this episode provides practical insight into how to navigate difficult situations without escalating unnecessary risk, conflict, or reputational damage.

Whether you’re handling a restructure, serious misconduct issue, investigation, or organisational crisis, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in real-world experience.

Resources & Links

• Edwards Sluiters

• Matthew Dearing | LinkedIn

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National has unveiled an ambitious new trade pitch, promising to pursue New Zealand’s “next billion customers”.

The party says it’s all part of a plan to grow exports, create jobs and boost incomes, with a long-term goal of doubling export value by 2034.

Supporters say that is the kind of ambition a small trading nation needs. Sceptics say the policy may be trying to do too much at once.

Today on The Front Page, BusinessDesk Senior Correspondent Dileepa Fonseka joins us to dig into the policy, the politics, and what it could actually mean for the New Zealand economy.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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This is the conversation I wish someone had sat me down and had with me when I was starting out. I cover the four things that actually change the trajectory of your life, your circle, your money habits, what you are putting into your mind, and how you handle failure. Because the small decisions you make right now are compounding into the person you will be in five years.

You do not need to come from money. You do not need the perfect plan. You just need to decide and start.

Ready to take that first step? Join my Business Masterclass today. ⬇️

👉🏼 https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
📲 Socials: https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen

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The Deputy Prime Minister on the importance of trade deals for New Zealand. Plus, would Act work with The Opportunity Party, and what happened with school lunches? And his plan to streamline government by reducing the number of ministers.

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