New research shows investors looking for the best returns might be better off putting money into whisky or Lego, as opposed to the share market. 

University of Auckland finance lecturer Gertjan Verdickt has released new research into alternative investments, including Lego, instruments, classic cars, wine, whisky and baseball cards.

Verdickt says there's value in adding an additional component to a traditional investment portfolio.

"Having something real, something tangible, is worth something. And it can produce additional returns on top of your normal portfolio." 

LISTEN ABOVE

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.

New research shows investors looking for the best returns might be better off putting money into whisky or Lego, as opposed to the share market.&nbsp;
University of Auckland finance lecturer Gertjan Verdickt has released new research into alternative investments, including Lego, instruments, classic cars, wine, whisky and baseball cards.
Verdickt says there's value in adding an additional component to a traditional investment portfolio.
"Having something real, something tangible, is worth something. And it can produce additional returns on top of your normal portfolio."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE
The podcasts in the&nbsp;SME&nbsp;Stream contain&nbsp;general information only, not financial&nbsp;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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Looking for actionable business insights all in one place? 
We're here to help you find a way with a curation of the &lsquo;best bits&rsquo; from top business podcasts. 
Save time searching; subscribe to the SME Stream where you can listen to relevant, timely, business-related content today.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The SME Stream

Gertjan Verdickt: Auckland University finance lecturer unpacks research revealing whisky, Lego and handbags might be safer investments

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


This week, GDP is up again but lower than expected - and that’s before the conflict in the middle east began, fuel and food prices keep climbing as the war rages, plus some positive news for retailers with consumers spending more at the checkout.

As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.&nbsp;
 This week,&nbsp;GDP is up again but lower than expected - and that&rsquo;s before the conflict in the middle east began, fuel and food prices keep climbing as the war rages, plus some positive news for retailers with consumers spending more at the checkout.

The SME Stream Weekly Wrap - 19 March

Sir Rod Drury believes it's New Zealand's time to step up and make a big difference in the world. 

The Xero founder has been crowned the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. 

The judges noted in the ceremony last night his driving innovation, empowerment of Kiwi tech leaders, and his venture philanthropy. 

He's involved in multiple projects including pushing for expansion of renewable power and electrified transport. 

Drury told Mike Hosking the world is scary, and Kiwis need to stick together and use our values to contribute to the world. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Sir Rod Drury believes it's New Zealand's time to step up and make a big difference in the world.&nbsp;
The Xero founder has been crowned the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.&nbsp;
The judges noted in the ceremony last night his driving innovation, empowerment of Kiwi tech leaders, and his venture philanthropy.&nbsp;
He's involved in multiple projects including pushing for expansion of renewable power and electrified transport.&nbsp;
Drury told Mike Hosking the world is scary, and Kiwis need to stick together and use our values to contribute to the world.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sir Rod Drury: Xero Founder on being named the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

Why do some places become tech powerhouses while others, just as smart and connected, stall out? 

In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, global innovation expert Mehran Gul, a former policy expert at the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations, dispels the myths about where breakthrough technology happens – and gives his take on what New Zealand should do to improve its innovation game.

Gul’s new book, The New Geography of Innovation: The Global Contest for Breakthrough Technologies, comes to a simple conclusion - there’s no fixed map of innovation. 

Silicon Valley, with its concentration of startups, tech talent and venture capital, remains an innovation powerhouse. But China went from being dismissed as a copycat to a genuine tech superpower in five to seven years. 

Canada, via one small lab at the University of Toronto, helped trigger the entire modern AI boom with AlexNet and a handful of researchers who went on to shape OpenAI and the wider industry. If they can bend the curve that fast, so can so-called “middle powers” and smaller countries like New Zealand – if they stop telling themselves they’re too small, too distant, or too late.

Tech makers, not tech takers

Gul explains how the ingredients of innovation look radically different from place to place. Silicon Valley has anchor universities, thick venture capital markets and a constant deal engine of big firms buying smaller ones. 

In China, the giant tech platforms came first, then research labs and world‑leading developments like ResNet, a neural network architecture. Singapore doesn’t have household‑name tech brands, yet it dominates venture capital in Southeast Asia.

Gul’s assessment of New Zealand is that the likes of Rocket Lab have demonstrated our ability to produce successful, innovative companies. It’s that we keep losing them, talent and listings included, to the United States and other major markets. He argues the real test is whether a country can hang on to its winners, build a startup “factory” around breakout successes, and use policy to push founders towards IPOs and broad employee ownership instead of early exits to US tech giants.

Why do some places become tech powerhouses while others, just as smart and connected, stall out?&nbsp;
In the latest episode of The Business of Tech, global innovation expert Mehran Gul, a former policy expert at the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations, dispels the myths about where breakthrough technology happens &ndash; and gives his take on what New Zealand should do to improve its innovation game.
Gul&rsquo;s new book, The New Geography of Innovation: <a href="https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9780008327811/the-new-geography-of-innovation-the-global-contest-for-breakthrough-technologies/">The Global Contest for Breakthrough Technologies</a>, comes to a simple conclusion - there&rsquo;s no fixed map of innovation.&nbsp;
Silicon Valley, with its concentration of startups, tech talent and venture capital, remains an innovation powerhouse. But China went from being dismissed as a copycat to a genuine tech superpower in five to seven years.&nbsp;
Canada, via one small lab at the University of Toronto, helped trigger the entire modern AI boom with AlexNet and a handful of researchers who went on to shape OpenAI and the wider industry. If they can bend the curve that fast, so can so-called &ldquo;middle powers&rdquo; and smaller countries like New Zealand &ndash; if they stop telling themselves they&rsquo;re too small, too distant, or too late.
Tech makers, not tech takers
Gul explains how the ingredients of innovation look radically different from place to place. Silicon Valley has anchor universities, thick venture capital markets and a constant deal engine of big firms buying smaller ones.&nbsp;
In China, the giant tech platforms came first, then research labs and world‑leading developments like ResNet, a neural network architecture. Singapore doesn&rsquo;t have household‑name tech brands, yet it dominates venture capital in Southeast Asia.
Gul&rsquo;s assessment of New Zealand is that the likes of Rocket Lab have demonstrated our ability to produce successful, innovative companies. It&rsquo;s that we keep losing them, talent and listings included, to the United States and other major markets. He argues the real test is whether a country can hang on to its winners, build a startup &ldquo;factory&rdquo; around breakout successes, and use policy to push founders towards IPOs and broad employee ownership instead of early exits to US tech giants.

Gertjan Verdickt: Auckland University finance lecturer unpacks research revealing whisky, Lego and handbags might be safer investments

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