Joy Keene: NZ Game Developers Association executive director on New Zealand's 'booming' video game industry

Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on GDP rising 0.8 percent for the March quarter

The latest GDP figures may not reflect the reality many businesses are facing right here, right now. GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter - the third consecutive quarter of growth. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham outlined some predictions about the future, especially with the ongoing Middle East conflict. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Michael Gordon: Westpac senior economist on the Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index dropping to lowest level since 2004

Confidence in the employment market is at an all-time low, with the Iran war still rippling through the economy. A Westpac-McDermott Miller survey for the June quarter reveals confidence fell for public and private sector employees.  A net 60 percent of respondents believe it's hard to find a job, up from 46 percent last quarter. Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon says employment confidence has been weak over the past five years, and this data represents another step backwards. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Susan St John: Auckland University Associate Professor of Economics on Labour ruling out changes to retirement age

A social policy advocate suggests taxing superannuants' alternative incomes could be the solution New Zealand needs. National is campaigning on raising the retirement age, which Labour's ruling out.  But earlier this year, Labour's Chris Hipkins appeared open to means testing NZ Super eligibility.  Auckland University's Susan St John says reviving the superannuation surcharge, abolished in 1998, could get political agreement.  She explained it is a middle ground between the extremes of means testing and raising the age of eligibility.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sylvie Thrush Marsh: MyHR Spokesperson on the sectors recording increased restructuring activity

More small and medium businesses are looking to trim the fat after years of constant pressure.  MyHR data shows in the first three months of the year, the hospitality industry recorded 191% more restructures than in the previous quarter.  Financial and insurance sectors had their highest levels of restructuring in two years.  MyHR spokesperson Sylvie Thrush Marsh told Mike Hosking businesses aren't always turning to redundancies.  She says some may be dropping a shift or trimming hours to save jobs.  Thrush Marsh says it's reaching a crunch point for a lot of businesses – there's been high interest rates for most of 2023 and 2024, with tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz closure.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Murray Harris: Milford Asset Management's General Manager on National's Kiwisaver boost promise

National's Kiwisaver promise could help address a gender savings gap. The party is committing to raise minimum contributions and make employers contribute for staff over 65,  if re-elected in November. It would also make Kiwisaver compulsory - promising a $1500 boost for every newborn.  Milford Asset Management's General Manager of KiwiSaver, Murray Harris told Mike Hosking that staff on paid parental leave will also get contributions. He says on average female balances are 25% lower than male, because they usually raise the children and miss out on contributions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.