The SME Stream

Is Australia really doing better, or does it just look that way on holiday?
Back from across the Tasman, Tamsyn Parker joins Liam Dann to compare petrol prices, supermarket bills and construction activity. They also discuss research on election uncertainty, whether booming exports will lift New Zealand’s wider economy, and the challenge of getting young people into work.
Plus, 1000 applications for meat-packing jobs and a $400 steak offer two very different snapshots of the economy.
The Economy of Everything is brought to you in partnership with CMC Markets.
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Both National and Labour are banking on economic growth to help repair the Government’s finances.
But could their spending plans undermine the recovery they’re counting on?
With households reluctant to spend, property values under pressure and an ageing population putting more demand on public services, journalist and economic commentator Bernard Hickey says the numbers deserve a harder look.
Today on The Front Page, he joins us to explain why he thinks both major parties are making the same economic gamble.
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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.
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer/Host: Jane Yee
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The escalating conflict in the Middle East has sparked concerns about the state of the economy.
The conflict and resulting impact on fuel prices has altered the current inflation outlook, but there's calls for further assessment following the recent attacks over the weekend.
HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further.
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Our economy seems to be faring better than our neighbour across the Tasman.
The International Monetary Fund has issued a stark outlook for the Australian economy, as it’s dealing with some of the worst inflation in the developed world.
It’s forecasting GDP growth of just 1.6% next year, and the biggest rise in unemployment among developed economies – going from 4.4% to 4.7%.
ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Mike Hosking in growth terms, particularly compared to Australia, we look great.
She says we’re growing out of a hole, with 2.6% growth coming off a weak period, compared to their 2.1% off the back of a quite strong period of growth.
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ASB says elections aren't usually a handbrake for business or household decisions.
Fresh analysis from the bank has found activity doesn't tend to slow down before an election or speed up right after one.
Senior Economist Mark Smith says there were two exceptions around the 2008 and 2020 elections but adds that was probably because of the GFC and the pandemic.
Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens from what they're hearing, businesses are looking past the short-term uncertainty to the longer-term opportunities ahead.
She says investment and hiring intentions have remained pretty positive.
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