Asset loans and used asset finance – what's right for your business?
We all understand that buying cheap does not always equate to the best value purchase but when it comes to finance, the interest rate (particularly in an upwards trending market) is often the primary focus and this can lead to poor customer outcomes. This is because decisions makers often overlook the importance of maintaining positive cash flows in their businesses, especially in relation to their asset loans or used asset finance structures. Financecan be complex and other more important factors like loan structure and terms and conditions can have a much greater impact on cash flow than interest rate.
It’s very common to see businesses with cash flow issues that have poor asset finance or asset loans structures for new assets and used asset finance as the primary cause for this. A typical example of this situation is a customer taking up a very low interest on a new asset (often on dealer a discounted interest rate where the dealer is subsidising the rate by reducing margin) on a term offered of 2 or 3 years maximum. The asset may have a useful life of fifteen years, but in most cases a short term like this does not make sense and won’t be able to generate enough annual surplus to pay off the asset loan and likely lead to cash flow problems in the business.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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39.7% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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58.5% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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42.8% I avoid spending money on coffee
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41.1% I still indulge at my local cafe
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16.1% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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