From tomorrow, there’ll be a 15% tariff on New Zealand imports for US businesses.

The announcement of the arbitrary amount saw us frantically send our chief trade negotiator over to Washington in a last-ditch effort to plead our case. Trade Minister Todd McClay was also dispatched.

But, will that actually do any good – when larger economies have already signed on the dotted line and accepted their fates?

And how should New Zealand be diversifying our trade portfolio, to rely less on the big players?

Today on The Front Page, University of Auckland Emeritus Professor of Law Jane Kelsey is with us to discuss what all this actually means for Kiwi businesses – and whether we need to reprioritise our trade relationships.

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: Ethan Sills

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. 

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Economic recovery is taking longer than many hoped. 

Unemployment's risen to a five-year high of 5.2%, up from 5.1% in the March quarter. 

New Zealand officially moved out of recession last year. 

The Herald's Liam Dann told Kerre Woodham the job market is taking longer to catch up, so many people may not be feeling better off. 

He says economists can tell us numbers are improving, but it takes longer for life to improve. 

Dann says anxiety about job security and AI is having ripple effects across the economy. 

He says a lot of professional people are uncertain about the future, and that's putting them off spending money. 

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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. 

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The Finance Minister says anxiety about tariffs will be playing a part in slowing down New Zealand's economic recovery. 

Unemployment's reached a five-year high of 5.2%. 

Economists think it could rise even higher before it starts turning around. 

Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking tariffs aren't great, but some people may have been more worried than they should be. 

She says the tariffs will have affected confidence and investment intentions, but it's important to remember that New Zealand is doing okay compared to the rest of the world. 

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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. 

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Government debt levels are rising globally - with many at risk of permanent structural deficits if they can't bring down interest bills each year.

Cutting spending and increasing taxes is an unpopular concept among voters, so experts are wondering what the next steps could be.

Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further.

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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 businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports.

Of 2025's number, $432.9 million relates to employer activities and $1.047 billion to GST.

IRD Customer Segment Manager Tony Morris says this data's in line with what's happening overseas - but it's an area they aim to put more focus on.

"What we're seeing is a bit of an increase in the amount of companies getting in debt - and some of those are the ones that possibly would have failed earlier during Covid. So we're definitely seeing an increase."

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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.

2025 is nearly halfway over - and it's been a memorable one for the markets so far.

Between new developments in AI, ongoing economic uncertainty and Donald Trump's string of tariff announcements, investors have had to contend with a lot of unique factors.

Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further - and reveals what investors can expect for the months ahead.

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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 has yet to hear from the US ahead of Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline – 4pm today, New Zealand time. 

The White House says all countries will have heard from the US by that time. 

The US President has indicated he'll raise tariffs, including the 10% baseline tariff imposed on goods from New Zealand and most other countries. 

Trade Minister Todd McClay told Mike Hosking our Government is still waiting to hear what that increase will be. 

He says there are indications that the new minimum base line tariff rate will be 15%, and it's an anxious time for exporters. 

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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.

Agriculture is leading the way as the country's top performing industry.  

Xero’s latest Insights report shows consistent under-performance in New Zealand’s small business sector in the past year, with sales falling by 0.1% in the June quarter. 

Country manager Bridget Snelling told Mike Hosking sectors that are more sensitive to consumer spending and interest rates are being hit hardest.  

She says construction is down 6.4%, retail is holding flat, and hospitality is down 2.1%, so it's tough conditions for small businesses.  

However, sales in the month of June rose 4.4%, the strongest monthly increase since April 2024. 

Snelling says we're in an unstable global economic situation, and people are not feeling confident to spend as they may have done in a more prosperous economic time. 

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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.

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 government’s scrapping surcharges on bank cards but will we actually save more money? Unemployment bites our youngest workers, and sole traders are still feeling short-changed by changes to Kiwisaver. Plus, we unpack the ins and outs of family trusts, and take a look at how an innovative Kiwi company is shaking up the concrete industry.

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, founder and managing partner of property investment company Opes Partners, Andrew Nicol, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann. From his family's financial struggles growing up in Christchurch, bothering banks for their reports for a school competition, choosing a career over uni - and how that led to him buying his first home at 19, sparking a career and a business

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.