The SME Stream

Our relationship with China takes centre stage in Auckland this morning.
The 12th annual China Business Summit brings together business and political leaders to explore areas for cooperation amid deepening global uncertainty.
New Zealand exported nearly $20 billion worth of goods to China last year.
Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges told Mike Hosking political leaders have been shifting this country closer to our security partners, but they still have to maintain New Zealand's commercial interests.
He says in contrast to the climate of uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump, his tariffs, and the war, China has positioned itself as a predictable and reliable partner.
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Christchurch’s new stadium has put its stamp on the city, pumping $21 million into the economy in just 60 days.
One NZ Stadium was forecast to generate $50 million in a year.
The project was also completed six weeks early and $26 million under budget.
Venues Otautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare told Mike Hosking they’re absolutely flying – it’s well beyond what they had forecast.
She says things will flatten off a bit now that Super Rugby Pacific is over, but they have a really strong event pipeline, so those numbers are going to continue.
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New Zealand Rugby's adamant there was no choice but to reject rescue plans for the financially-strapped Moana Pasifika.
Moana is officially out of the 2027 Super Rugby season – although there is hope they will be back in the future.
The franchise fizzles out, owing millions on a loan from the Government through Sport New Zealand.
Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid told Mike Hosking they made all efforts to save Moana Pasifika, but in the end they had a pretty strict criteria.
He says they were looking for proposals that had the cash to support the franchise and a sustainable and viable business plan, and both those criteria weren’t met.
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There's been some flare-ups in the AI and chip sectors and experts have raised concerns.
There's been drops on the Nasdaq and S&P 500, and investors are questioning the huge amount of spend on AI.
Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further.
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Labour isn’t the only party faced with a funding challenge related to the country’s pay equity regime.
The three pay equity claims in the works relate to people who work for organisations partially funded by the Government - Plunket, Hospice and Bupa Aged Care.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further.
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