David Seymour: Associate Finance Minister on the plans to find savings for next year's Budget
The Government has begun looking for possible areas for cutbacks for next year's Budget. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour said he hopes the Government can equal or exceed the savings achieved in its first two Budgets. He says the Government's trying to reduce its spending from about 35% of GDP to about 31%. Seymour told Mike Hosking it's an ongoing process of "looking behind the couch" for savings. He says it's a matter of every year, every Budget, finding things that the Government would never have started and stopping them. LISTEN ABOVE 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.
-------- Â
6:34
--------
6:34
Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation advocacy manager speaks in defence in investment properties
Jeremy Williamson, head of private wealth and markets at Craigs Investment Partners, recently claimed there was momentum building for Kiwis to move away from investing in property - but one expert has suggested differently. Matt Ball from the Property Investors Federation acknowledged people were getting more savvy about outside investments and that the property market was changing, but claimed the nation's love affair with property wasn't over. "I think the property market has changed, thanks to some initiatives from the Government and I think people will start to take a bit of a different approach. I don't buy this whole - property investment isn't a productive activity." LISTEN ABOVE 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.
-------- Â
5:10
--------
5:10
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the shortage of available jobs for June 2025
Recent data shows there were 27,850 fewer jobs in New Zealand in June compared to the year before, and young Kiwis are being hit hard by a tightening labour market. Over 12,000 of those lost jobs came from the construction sector, manufacturing lost 5850 jobs, professional, scientific and technical services lost 5150 jobs and admin and support services lost 4860 jobs. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains what's behind this change. LISTEN ABOVE 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.
-------- Â
4:59
--------
4:59
Scott Simpson: Commerce Minister on the Government scrapping in-store card surcharges
The Commerce Minister says he's disappointed in businesses who say they will pass on the cost of surcharge scrapping. Most in-store surcharges on card payments will be banned, with the changes set to kick in next May. Scott Simpson says this is a win for consumers. He told Mike Hosking they've also taken action on the fees banks charge businesses. Simpson says those rates will be lower following regulation that will kick in at the end of the year. LISTEN ABOVE 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.
-------- Â
2:55
--------
2:55
Ankit Bansal: Dairy and Business Owners Group chair on the Government banning in-store card surcharges
The Government's recent ban on on payment card surcharges has been met with criticism from the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government's announced it will scrap extra in-store card fees by next May. The Commerce Commission has already reduced bank interchange visa and master card fees for businesses. Dairy and Business Owners Group chair Ankit Bansal says these proposed changes are 'unfair' as the banks can still charge whatever transaction fees they like. "These will likely have to be passed on to the consumers - the problem is, we would have to do it across the board. So even if someone was paying with cash, one way or another, we're paying for these charges." LISTEN ABOVE 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.
Looking for actionable business insights all in one place? BNZ is here to help you find a way with a curation of the ‘best bits’ from top business podcasts. Save time searching; subscribe to the SME Stream where you can listen to relevant, timely, business-related content today.
The SME Stream is a curated playlist of business podcasts brought to you by Bank of New Zealand (BNZ). The podcasts contain general information only, not financial or other professional advice. For help, please contact your bank or professional adviser. 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.
New Zealand