Cameron Smith
Online Business Editor
Cameron Smith is an Auckland-based journalist and Online Business Editor at the New Zealand Herald.
Cameron Smith joined the Herald in 2015 and has covered business and sports over the past decade. Cameron has been a journalist since 2013, covering sports and business at several of New Zealand’s largest media organisations. He joined the Herald in 2015 working as a regional and homepage digital editor. Having joined the business team in 2017, Cameron has covered a range of topics including retail, finance, economics, employment and small business with a focus on consumer-related stories. You can contact Cameron at cameron.smith@nzme.co.nz.
Check out Cameron’s latest content
Auckland beachfront restaurant in liquidation – what went wrong?
Renowned chef Scott Denning puts his Mission Bay restaurant into liquidation.
Auckland car dealership in liquidation after creditor repossesses Jaguars, BMWs
Liquidators say there were two reasons for the company's failure.
Kiwi football fans fume at sport streaming platform over rogue charges
DAZN subscribers are looking for answers after being stung with unexplained charges.
More than 450,000 Kiwis behind on debt repayments as festive season looms
Acute challenges continue to bite, despite falling inflation and interest rates.
NZ versus Australia: Is the grass really greener for Kiwi tradies?
New report compares income, living costs, house prices and employment opportunities.
Premium NZ golf brand retailer in liquidation after two years
A tough year for retailers as another company goes into liquidation.
NZ ranks last for infrastructure delivery in global survey
New Zealand has fallen behind its peers globally when it comes to infrastructure.
Construction slowdown: House building cost inflation still subdued
The annual cost of building a house rose at the second lowest rate since 2013.
Canterbury house builder in liquidation – Kiwibank among creditors owed $1m
Staff terminated after construction projects slow.
Crane numbers drop 11% this year as construction slows
Auckland crane numbers fell to an eight-year low.
Relief for homeowners: Banks cut mortgage rates in response to OCR move
Banks have moved swiftly to lower lending rates.
Great Resignation no more: More Kiwi workers look for stability amid rising unemployment
Less Kiwi workers intend on changing their jobs in the next 12 months.
American bakery chain Cinnabon to open first NZ store
New Zealand will be the 54th country to get a Cinnabon franchise.
New car sales on the road to recovery after September lift, EV's perk up
A third consecutive month of improved sales.
‘Better times ahead’: Consumer confidence bounces to 32-month high
Expectations about the future driving consumer confidence.
Putting fuel on BNPL? Financial advisers warn of debt spiral
Financial advisers warn of risks as NZ's biggest fuel retailer offers delayed payment.
Hospitality owners report surge in negative mental health amid declining profits
Hospitality survey reveals ongoing difficulties for the industry.
Co-working office space company Digital Nomad in liquidation: Who’s owed money?
The company owes $159,604 in lease arrears and $40,700 in tenant bonds.
Why former owners of three Auckland restaurants went into liquidation owing $700k
“It’s going to be completely different from what it is now.”
Former owners of three Auckland hospo businesses in liquidation – two restaurants to shut for redevelopment
Landlord didn't grant prior owners new lease.
Housing market still flat despite OCR cut
Activity is expected to strengthen over the rest of the year as interest rates fall.
Major Auckland car dealer in liquidation owes more than $1m
More than 120 creditors are owed money from Auckland Vehicles Limited.
Major Auckland car dealership in liquidation after receivership
'Dealers have struggled this year', says an industry expert.
Directors are working longer hours with no increase to fees, research finds
Female directors were more likely to be in a lower-paid role.
Business failures surge as insolvencies hit eight-year quarterly high
'The scale of the increase has been significant', says BWA Insolvency's Bryan Williams.
Financial stress eases for young Kiwis but rises for mortgage holders
Signs financial stress could be easing, but not for everyone.
Home-building trend remains soft, new house consents fall 22%
High interest rates and increased costs drive softness in the new home consent data.
More than 100 jobs lost as logistics company closes down Auckland stevedoring operations
Staff were informed of the redundancy process today.
Economy harder than GFC and Covid, say business owners
Survey shows one in five businesses fear they may have to close.
Two Wellington bars in liquidation as local economy bites
Declining foot traffic along famous Courtenay Place and economic downturn hit bar owner.
‘Fierce competition’ for jobs as unemployment rises
Job ads also rose for the first time since January.
Decline of cash: Small firms lag in adoption of digital payment methods
Shifting payment trends forcing change onto small businesses.
Franklins Bathrooms Liquidation: Westpac among creditors owed $31.2m
Creditors now face a potential shortfall in the tens of millions.
Small business confidence hits reverse gear, economic pressures drive burnout
Post-Covid optimism gives way to declining confidence.
36 jobs on the line at Mitre 10 headquarters
Mitre 10 chief executive cites low consumer confidence and spending.
Tax cuts: Five ways to put your money to work instead of spending it
Pitiful or opportunity? Why your $20 tax break might not be so small.
Challenging economic environment brings record number of financial complaints
New disputes rose by 10%.
‘Not faring well’: Small business sales slump to lowest level since first Covid lockdown
Small businesses feel the brunt of consumers watching their wallets.
'Pretty tough market': Decline in hiring activity accelerates in June
Economic pressures are continuing to stymie hiring activity.
SMEs vulnerable to cyber security breaches, report reveals
Many SMEs believe they are too small or inconsequential to appeal to cyber criminals.
Retail in the doldrums: Two popular Newmarket retailers shut up shop
There are clouds over retail throughout the country as consumers close their wallets.
‘Bleak picture’ for retailers as consumer spending remains weak
Households' spending power remains squeezed.
French beauty retailer Sephora to close Queen St store
Sephora opened its flagship Queen St store back in 2019.
Can Aussie tech start-up help Kiwi retailers stay in game v Amazon?
Sydney-based Shippit is quicky expanding its reach across the Asia-Pacific region.
Small business productivity fell 6.1pc in 2023 - which industries, regions were hardest hit
Bleak news for hospitality and Auckland fails to fire.
Dunedin chocolate company Ocho faces voluntary administration
Founder says the company structure hasn't been the easiest model to work with.
$500 away from serious trouble: Cost of living hurting Kiwis’ ability to save
New pressures displace divorce, unemployment as explanation some cite for money troubles.
$55k back pocket hole: What you could be missing out in KiwiSaver cash
Women, young people and those in default funds are more likely to miss out.
Business defaults, liquidations rise as sector faces 'challenging' environment
'Current economic environment is still proving very challenging across the board.'
OCR cuts sooner than expected? Business confidence slumps in May – why that's good news
'There’s still a long way to go, but any step in the right direction is welcome.'
The top concerns for Gen Z and millennials - and what they think of AI
Both generations are more upbeat on the overall economic situation improving.
Kiwis feeling more pessimistic about inflation, rate cuts and finances
Survey finds a quarter of New Zealanders are finding it difficult to manage financially.
Wendy’s NZ bought by US giant, ending West Auckland family’s 35-year run
The Lendich family has operated Wendy's in New Zealand for 35 years.
Explainer: What are your rights as a Kiwi worker when it comes to redundancy?
'Are you entitled to redundancy pay' and other questions answered.
'Hasn’t been the easiest trading time': What's eating the hospitality industry?
Growth in fourth quarter sales for hospitality businesses tempered by inflationary costs.
Spending data shows consumers are 'hunkering down'
High interest rate setting working to crimp consumer spending.
What’s driving the big jump in KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawals?
A record $29.2 million in KiwiSaver funds were taken out in March alone.
Venture capital funding drops for Kiwi startups
Global competition, high inflation and skills shortages cited as challenges by report.
‘Get worse before it gets better’: Monthly liquidations hit six-year high
The number of businesses in distress is rising.
Public sector leads slowdown in March hiring activity
Data from Seek shows job ad volumes continue to fall, albeit at a slower rate in March.
Market just too small: Menulog quits New Zealand
The online food delivery platform will cease working from May 16.
Outlook grim for creditors owed $6.8m from popular cafe chain Wishbone
Wishbone had 17 stores in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
Clothing retailers bear brunt of spending slump, tourism a bright spot
Kiwis are reining in their discretionary spending.
Pressure on small business profits as productivity takes a dive - report
Demand-side issues took over last year as productivity fell back to pre-Covid levels.
Ardern's wedding and basking in big events - how Flagship Events company battled past Covid
Hawke's Bay-based company coming to the end of another busy summer season.
Spending weak over March as Kiwis watch their wallets
The Easter bunny didn't deliver any good news for retailers this year.
Snap crackle stop: Sanitarium axing jobs as it discontinues iconic cereals
The company is planning to streamline its product range.
Hiring activity slumps further as recession set to weigh on jobs
Job ad volumes fell again in February and are lower than pre-Covid.
Peter Gordon's Homeland restaurant to close its doors
The site is due to be part of a major redevelopment.
Former CBL boss Peter Harris admits continuous disclosure breaches, misleading conduct
Another chapter in the long-running saga between CBL and market watchdog.
Popular Auckland restaurant, bar and nightclub operation in liquidation, owes $1.3m
The first liquidator's report on two entertainment venues is out.
Unprecedented challenges: Kiwi workers' mental health remains significantly strained
Job insecurity, cost of living and burnout are taking a toll on workers.
Mortgage hikes of 50%, grocery prices biggest worry - what's keeping Kiwis up
Grocery prices a bigger financial worry than rent and mortgages, some Kiwis cutting back.
Less red tape, more certainty: Van Velden outlines workplace priorities
The Employment Relations Act and Holidays Act will both be put under the microscope.
More middle-income Kiwis seeking financial help as price rises bite
Financial mentors and budgeting services are reporting an increase in clients.
Silvermoon Jewellers in liquidation: Who’s owed money?
The first liquidator’s report is out and provides a breakdown of the numbers.
Tower insurance overcharges 65,000 Kiwis more than $9.5m
Tower says it's making significant progress towards refunding about 65,000 customers.
How much ignoring your KiwiSaver could be costing you
Non-contributors to KiwiSaver are taking a huge financial hit later in life.
'A rising tide': More than 480,000 Kiwis behind in debt payments
Mortgage and consumer arrears continue to climb.