The SME Stream

This week's budget announcement had a focus on sorting out the books, and no straight sugar hits for individuals.
Infrastructure, healthcare and education seemed to be the clear priority of our fiscal plan, but three relief for the cost-of-living pressure many face.
Along with that, council rates have gone up for Auckland and the South Island's West Coast, and the Reserve Bank's signalled that there will be an increase to the OCR shortly - so the period we've seen of low interest rates on a mortgage is coming to an end.
So how can we prepare ourselves for a toughening economy? Was it good that we didn't have any government handouts?
Managing Director for the Private Office - Nick Crawford - joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money...
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This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Newstalk ZB's Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp and NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll to discuss the biggest stories from this week.
Do Harbour Bridge protests do more harm than good for your cause? Did Anna Breman make the right decision for the OCR? Should we be mad that AI will be making welfare decisions? And, is there anything to be excited about in Budget 2026?
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The IRD is ramping up crypto enforcement and some investors are discovering they owe tax on gains that have long since disappeared. Crypto tax specialist Tim Doyle joins Nadine Higgins to explain why even small investors are now in the IRD's sights, the mistakes that create nightmare tax bills and what to do if you've fallen behind.
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Infrastructure and health are the big priorities in this year's Budget, as banks face a new levy, and cuts take shape.
There are no specific cost-of-living payments or Budget sugar hits - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis promises spending initiatives will create thousands of jobs.
And our books are set to return to surplus earlier than expected.
But, Opposition parties are saying the Government doesn’t live in the same reality as struggling Kiwis.
So, what does it actually mean for households, for the economy, and for the political landscape?
Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald chief political reporter, Jamie Ensor, is with us to break down the numbers, the politics, and what it all means for you.
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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The Government says this year's budget especially strengthens Auckland's role as New Zealand's economic engine room.
They point out that they're investing in health, including funding to purchase land for a future South Auckland Hospital, and a share of the Government's $5.5-billion health package.
Additionally, they highlight plans for housing growth with a new $400-million fund for councils to enable more homes.
Lastly, they're putting aside a billion for rail improvements, and another billion for school upgrades.
But Mayor Wayne Brown says the devil is in the detail - and we'll need more clarity into a timeline of these initiatives, along with an explanation of how the Government's funding their share of the CRL.
So what do these investments actually mean for Aucklanders - and how confident can we be in keeping a globally competitive city?
Minister for Auckland Simon Watts talks to Tim Beveridge to discuss...
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