Business confidence falls in May
ANZ's Business Outlook survey shows confidence slipped further in May.
Business confidence fell 12 points to +37 in May, while expected own activity fell 13 points to +35.
However, late-month responses were higher than earlier-month ones.
'The main messages coming out of our Business Outlook survey are that the economy
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Techday NZ
a day ago
- Techday NZ
Arctic Wolf celebrates top ANZ partners as channel network doubles
Arctic Wolf has named REDD, CSW-IT, and Ethan Global as the recipients of its 2025 Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Partner of the Year Awards. The awards were presented to acknowledge the contribution of partner organisations in delivering security operations and supporting efforts to reduce cyber risk for businesses across the region. Channel growth Arctic Wolf reported that its ANZ channel partner community has doubled in size, reflecting the company's continued investment in its partner-led strategy. The firm's global partner network now numbers more than 2,250, including resellers, solution providers, managed service providers (MSPs), cyber insurance collaborators, and technology alliances, spanning more than 100 countries. Alongside the growth in partner numbers, Arctic Wolf said it serves over 10,000 customers and supports more than 1,000 security engineers worldwide. Security landscape The company outlined that organisations in the ANZ region are facing a constantly shifting risk environment, influenced by the adoption of new technologies and increased geopolitical uncertainty. To address these challenges, Arctic Wolf has continued to focus on its partner-first approach and has introduced enhancements to its security platforms and MSP Partner Program. Following Arctic Wolf's acquisition of Cylance earlier this year, the company's partners in ANZ now have access to expanded go-to-market opportunities, including the latest Security Operations Centre (SOC) offerings and endpoint security solutions. Partner recognition The Alpha Partner of the Year award was presented to REDD. Brad Ferris, Chief Executive Officer at REDD, said, "At REDD, we're deeply honoured to be named Arctic Wolf's APAC Alpha Partner of the Year. This recognition reflects our team's relentless commitment to excellence, our customer-obsessed culture, and our focus on delivering world-class security outcomes across Australia and New Zealand. Together with Arctic Wolf, we're helping organisations face today's cybersecurity challenges with clarity, confidence, and resilience." CSW-IT received the Pack Hunter Partner of the Year award. Callum McDonald, Director at CSW-IT, commented, "We are so excited to be Arctic Wolf's Pack Hunter Partner of the year in Australia. This award reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our strategic alignment with Arctic Wolf, and our shared commitment to helping customers stay ahead of evolving cyber threats." Ethan Global was named Rising Star Partner of the Year. Tony Geagea, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Ethan Global, said, "There's a reason why Australian organisations choose to work with us. We're more than just a security provider – we're AI, we're managed services, we're cloud, telco, and IT. To get security right, you need to have a holistic understanding of the environment, and that's our speciality. Thank you, Arctic Wolf for this year's Rising Star award - we are very excited about this strategic partnership." Commitment to the partner ecosystem David Hayes, Regional Director ANZ at Arctic Wolf, highlighted the importance of the company's partner relationships, stating, "By integrating Arctic Wolf's turnkey solutions, our open XDR platform, and the expertise of our partner teams, we serve as trusted advisors throughout the customer security journey." "As a 100% partner-based company, Arctic Wolf's entire portfolio of services is offered exclusively through our partners. Our local partner community is critical to bringing these innovations to the ANZ market, and we are committed to strengthening these relationships and delivering better outcomes for our customers." Arctic Wolf indicated that it will continue to build on its partner network in ANZ, aiming to meet expanding customer requirements while supporting efforts to address increasing security threats faced by organisations in the region.
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
KiwiSaver: Last chance to claim full $521 Govt contribution
KiwiSaver members have just weeks left to claim the full $521 Government contribution before it is halved under changes to the system announced at last month's Budget. If people contribute at least $1042.86 into their KiwiSaver accounts in the year to June 30, they can receive the maximum contribution of $521.43 from the Government. Those who contribute less still receive 50 cents from the government for every dollar they put in. However, as part of Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced that the value of the government's $521.43 contribution to KiwiSaver was being halved from July 1. Individuals would now receive a maximum contribution of 25 cents per dollar of employee contribution, up to a maximum of $260.72 a year. ADVERTISEMENT Eligibility for this would also be limited to those who earn under $180,000 a year. Each year, thousands of people miss out on what is essentially free money, as they are not working, on a contributions holiday or are self-employed and aren't contributing enough. In 2024, about two-thirds of KiwiSaver members received the government contribution, and most of them, 77%, got the full $521.43. The contributions cost the government about $1 billion last year. Providers urge savers to act now ANZ investments managing director Fiona Mackenzie said last year, around 61% of members received the full government contribution and a further 16% a partial contribution, around $200 million to the scheme's members. "Contributions from our members are on track to be similar this year. We are really encouraged by this, considering the current economic conditions." ADVERTISEMENT She said ANZ offered a digital tool that helps customers track their progress toward the government top-up. "They'll get an estimate of how much they are on track to get, and an indication of how much more they need to contribute to ensure they get the full government contribution." $521.42 is up for grabs for the last time to anyone who contributes at least $1042.83 into their KiwiSaver scheme in the year to June 30. (Source: There's still time for those who haven't yet hit the $1042.86 threshold. ASB said it was proactively contacting customers not on track to receive the maximum contribution, particularly those who missed out last year. Executive general manager personal banking Adam Boyd said 73% of its eligible KiwiSaver members had contributed enough to receive a full or partial contribution. "Because this is the last year to receive the $521.43 from the government, we'd encourage New Zealanders to keep track of their contribution status and make sure they have contributed enough before the end of June to ensure they get the full amount, and the earlier the better," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "Every little bit counts and can make a big difference over time." BT Funds Management chief executive Nigel Jackson, who oversees the Westpac KiwiSaver Scheme, said members could make a one-off voluntary contribution to get them over the line. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Austrian school shooting, Kiwisaver deadline, and Warriors injury worry. (Source: 1News) "People who are in a financial position to top up their KiwiSaver contributions to $1042.86 for the year should do so, to maximise their retirement savings for the year." Over the last two years, 44% of eligible Westpac KiwiSaver members missed out on the maximum top-up because they hadn't contributed the required $1042.86, Jackson said. "There may be a variety of reasons why people haven't contributed up to the threshold, for example, some members may be on parental leave, some may be working part time, or others may have temporarily suspended contributions. "However, if people can afford to top up their contributions, they should do so, as every dollar contributed up to the threshold has an immediate investment return of 50%." ADVERTISEMENT Fisher Funds general manager of KiwiSaver David Boyle told Breakfast last month that June 2025 will be the last chance to get the full $521.43 contribution. "If you have $1042.83 and you haven't put it in, get that 50 cents from the dollar from the government," he said. "If you can't get the full amount — because it's a lot of money — you can still put in $100 or $500. For every dollar, the government will give you 50 cents." What else is new with KiwiSaver? The Finance Minister also revealed some other changes to the KiwiSaver scheme during Budget 2025. Default employer and employee contribution rates will increase to 4% from April 2028. But rates will first rise to 3.5% from April next year in a "phased" approach. ADVERTISEMENT Some KiwiSaver benefits, such as employer and government contributions, will also now be extended to 16- and 17-year-olds. In growth forecasts, Treasury has assumed the higher 4% contribution rate could be offset by employers through lower-than-otherwise wage increases. The Government's changes are expected to save it $2.4 billion over four years or about $600 million annually on average. Extending eligibility to 16- and 17-year-olds is forecast to cost $29 million over four years or about $7 million a year. Most changes will be made automatically for KiwiSaver members.
1News
5 days ago
- 1News
Another big bank cuts home loan interest rates
Kiwibank is the latest bank to cut home loan interest rates. It has cut its one-year special fixed rate to 4.89%, its two-year to 4.95% and its three and six-month rates to 5.29%. It is also cutting a number of its term deposit rates by between 10 basis points and 15 basis points. The official cash rate has fallen from a peak of 5.5% to 3.25%. But a warier tone in the most recent update has raised questions about how much further the rate might fall. The decision went to a vote, and one member of the monetary policy committee was not in favour of a cut. ADVERTISEMENT That prompted swap rates to pick up a bit, although they have started to drift down again since. David Cunningham, chief executive of mortgage advice firm Squirrel, said the main retail interest rate movements now would be driven by competition between the banks. "Pre-OCR, the two-year swap was 3.12%. It bounced a bit and has drifted down, but is still slightly higher than a month ago. Kiwibank. (Source: Supplied) "I'd say that until we get a decisive move in wholesale rates below 3%, any fixed rate moves by banks will be at the margin as banks jostle for positioning. "Maybe we'll see 4.75% one- or two-year rates, but a break towards 4.5% would need another OCR cut and signals of more to come. That would be three to six months away, if it did happen. "Long story short, fixed rates are likely to hover around existing levels for a wee while." ADVERTISEMENT Last week, ANZ on Tuesday cut its 18-month fixed rate special by 10 basis points to 4.89%. The six-month rate dropped by 20 to 5.29%. Then on Wednesday morning, ASB cut a range of its fixed home loan rates by up to 20 basis points. It was the bank's seventh fixed-rate mortgage drop of 2025. Its six-month rate drops by 14 basis points to 5.45%, its one-year by four basis points to 4.95%, its 18-month rate by 10 basis points to 4.89%, its two-year by four basis points to 4.95% and its three-year by 20 basis points to 5.15%.
