By Tobias Taylor and Phil Borkin — JBWere If the first weeks of 2026 have felt loud, you’re not imagining it. Global headlines have been dominated by geopolitical tensions, tariff threats, central bank manoeuvres and dramatic political theatre. The US dollar has swung sharply. Gold has surged. Bond markets have
By Michelle Menzies — Nexia Hawke’s Bay Looking ahead in farming and agribusiness has never been about crystal balls. It is about noticing what is already shifting and deciding how deliberately you want to respond. For many rural businesses, the past few seasons have been demanding. Weather events, cost pressures,
Few forces have shaped global equity markets over the past 18 months as powerfully as artificial intelligence. As the story matures, so too do the risks. Behind the headlines of relentless growth and innovation, signs of shifting dynamics are emerging, suggesting that this is no longer an untouchable theme, but
I openly talk about the voices in my head and how they can positively or negatively impact my day. When I ask clients if they have voices in their head they often don’t want to admit that they do. Research shows that we can have up to 70,000 thoughts in
A few months ago, I missed an online meeting of local AI professionals, but thankfully, I was sent the AI-generated recap via email. When I clicked the session link (yes, I do have link verification security in my inbox), a Chrome window opened, and before watching the meeting, I was
As we move into 2026, New Zealand’s property market is at a turning point. After several years of slow growth and high mortgage rates, economists expect interest rates to gradually ease through 2025 and 2026. The Reserve Bank is likely to reduce the Official Cash Rate from 2.5% to around
By Rowan Little – team lead – urban After years of consultation, hearings, and community input, Napier City Council has released the Decisions Version of its Proposed District Plan. This is a significant step towards the update and replacement of the existing Operative District Plan (2011) and is a pivotal
AI can book a flight faster than you can say “departure gate changed,” but when it comes to the art of travel planning, speed isn’t everything. Sure, your friendly chatbot can spit out flight options, recommend hotels with five-star reviews, and even predict what you might enjoy — but can
Hawke’s Bay relies heavily on horticulture, viticulture, hospitality, and service industries. Seasonal peaks and workforce pressures are part of daily life for many businesses, which means staying ahead of employment and immigration law changes is essential. With new visa categories and a significant employment law reform bill progressing through Parliament,
By Andrew DaviesDirector and Insurance Adviser — Tidal Life & Health Insurance Running a successful business often depends on one or more key individuals whose skills, knowledge, relationships and role in the business are essential for daily operations, strategy, sales and technical expertise. But what happens if one of those
