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.

In this weekly wrap, great news for businesses as we finally come out of recession, can Christopher Luxon’s trade mission to India outweigh the trade war risk coming out of the US? … What's happening with our retirement savings gender gap, and 26 ideas to improve our economy.

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.

18 councils and three council-controlled organisations have recently had their credit ratings downgraded by S&P Global Ratings.

The credit rating agency has expressed concern that councils aren't receiving enough revenue to cover rising costs, including investment in infrastructure.  

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny 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.

In 2022, the Government signed an historic agreement granting Māori a share of radio spectrum suitable for 5G mobile services and a 20% share of all future commercial radio spectrum rights.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Tū Ātea, Antony Royal is putting that 5G spectrum to good use, with a major project underway to build and deploy the country's first commercial private 5G network. On The Business of Tech, Antony traces the history of the struggle to gain recognition for Māori rights to radio spectrum and outlines how Tū Ātea is helping swell the ranks of Māori engineers and technologists.

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.

The US stock market is still undergoing a turbulent period, with more investors aiming to cut their losses.

Donald Trump's tariffs still loom large over the market, with numbers dipping into the red after a short rebound.

Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne 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.

There’s a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed. 

A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed. 

It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees. 

Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship options need to be more visible to young people. 

He told Mike Hosking part of the problem is apprenticeship training is viewed as being for the kids who don’t cope with the academic path. 

Johnston says we need to rearrange the system so that young people, regardless of their background and propensities, look at apprenticeship training as a viable option. 

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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.

The OECD has downgraded its outlook for the global economy as a result of President Trump's escalating trade wars.

Canada and Mexico are predicted to see the biggest impact, with Canada's growth outlook being halved and Mexico being expected to see a recession.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham 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.

 [VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY]  This episode takes you inside one of the largest privately owned data centre operations in Australia and the story of how one entrepreneur built the A$17b business from nothing.

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.

The Finance Minister's dropped a few crumbs on what's shaping this year's budget.

Nicola Willis will unveil her growth budget on May 22.

She says the public service won't get more funding, for doing the same thing.

Willis says there's only more money if people are going to benefit from additional services - or improved impact from those services.

But she says she won't be doing away with entire departments or agencies.

"That's not on the agenda for this budget, because the judgement that we've made at this stage is that it could end up costing us more in the short-term than we would deliver in savings."

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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.

Nearly one billion dollars is still owed as the deadline for Covid-era loans approaches. 

Inland Revenue says many Small Business Cashflow loans will default in June if not paid off.  

About 130,000 businesses were issued the loans, totalling $2.4 billion.  

ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking he's not surprised so many owners haven't paid it back yet. 

He says there were no personal guarantees or general security agreements, so it was a free hit for business owners. 

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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.

Is it worth working after the age of 65? Or is it more of a need than a choice? 

Martin Hawes joins The Weekend Collective to discuss the finances of retirement. 

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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.