Wellington, once a vibrant hub for New Zealand’s tech innovation, has faced stagnation in recent years.

Last week, a packed audience at a Vision for Wellington event on Wellington’s waterfront heard from the city’s tech luminaries about how the city can embrace its strengths, particularly in technology, and foster a more supportive, connected ecosystem.

Sitting in the audience was Ralph Highnam, founder of breast screening software maker Volpara Health, which was started in Wellington in 2009 and, after listing on the ASX, was bought in 2024 by South Korean AI medical imaging company Lunit in a deal valued at around $300 million.

On this week's episode of The Business of Tech, Ralph outlines his own vision for Wellingtion and his plans for WellyForge, a new organisation started with the aim of breathing new life into the city's tech ecosystem.

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.

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Inland Revenue's cracking down on unpaid tax bills.

It's been allocated an extra $35 million in Budget 25 to boost its tax compliance and collection activities.

The tax department expects to return an additional $4 for every dollar in the first year, and $8 in year two.

IRD Commissioner Peter Mersi told Mike Hosking it's hard to estimate how much tax is owed across the board.

He says they don't really know the size of the gap, but believes it's around $9 billion.

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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.

Labour has slammed the Government for not getting a better trade deal out of the current Trump administration.

New Zealand currently has to pay a 10 percent tariff on all imports on New Zealand products out of the US.

But the opposition has claimed the Government is failing Kiwis by 'being comfortable' with a 10 percent tariff.

Former trade negotiator Stephen Jacobi says the Government is watching and consulting with trading partners.

"It's doing all those right sort of things. You have to remember that we are being charged as an additional tariff at the lowest end of the scale - we don't have a lot to offer the United States."

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As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina Shrimpton each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact on your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.

This week, the economy is slowly emerging from the doldrums but company liquidations are still up, there’s more tourism money on our shores but the dollars aren't evenly spread, plus the burden of insurance costs continue to rise. We also highlight some great chats with 2Degrees CEO Mark Callender, and the co-founder of women’s wellness brand Eve Wellness.

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A panel discussion hosted by Vision for Wellington on the future of the city and how tech and innovation can help reinvigorate the city's fortunes - featuring Rod Drury, Brooke Roberts, Serge van Dam, and Stephen Cummings.

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.

This week, the chief executive of 2degrees, Mark Callendar, shares his best and worst money stories with Liam Dann, including his unusual path to running a major company, and the current state of the telco industry.

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.

A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely.

The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to the disaster that killed 29 men could happen again at any other organisation.

One of their "potentially disturbing observations" is that health & safety training, auditors, and well-qualified staff were not enough to prevent failure – and may also have provided an "illusion of certainty" and overconfidence.

The new research has come amidst a slew of changes to health and safety legislation being pushed through by the Government, which has sparked warnings from advocates.

One of those is Mike Cosman, an independent health and safety practitioner who sat on the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health & Safety established after the Pike River disaster.

And he joins us now on The Front Page to discuss this new study and the proposed changes.

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
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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.

Business leaders across New Zealand have voiced concerns that Donald Trump's tariffs could have a more severe global impact than the Covid-19 pandemic and the Global Financial Crisis.

The months since Trump’s 'Liberation Day' announcement have seen sustained market volatility, tit-for-tat trade wars and fears of a resurgence in inflation.

New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says experts are right to be concerned - as Trump's tariffs could potentially derail the economy for years to come.

"The GFC and the pandemic were over after three of four years, whereas the destabilisation of globalisation with the tariffs Trump is imposing - that could derail the economy for decades to come. There's so much uncertainty about it."

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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.