Shows / Best of Business
Best of Business
Best of Business is the home of all things business at Newstalk ZB, from morning market updates right through to incisive interviews with New Zealand’s top business leaders and decision makers.
Whether you’re a small business owner or interested in what’s going on in the Big End of Town, this podcast encompasses the sharpest voices and minds in the world of business.
Episodes
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Nvidia's quarterly results going up
Despite growing concerns about the AI bubble, Nvidia's shown it won't be popping any time soon. The company's quarterly results have smashed expectations and…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Zespri releasing their forecast for the 2025/26 season
Zespri has issued its November forecast for the 2025/26 kiwifruit season, and it's predicting some solid results. At a per-hectare level, record returns are…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Meta closing teen accounts ahead of Aussie social media ban
Australian teenagers have been warned their accounts of Facebook, Instagram and Threads will be shut down ahead of the country's incoming social media ban…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Government delaying insurance levy hike
The Government is delaying hiking the levy most home owners pay via their private insurers to fund the Natural Hazards Commission until 2027. The $552 levy was…
- Best of Business
Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on whether the economy's improved following recent OCR update
The Reserve Bank is set to reveal their latest OCR update next week, but experts aren't feeling too hopeful about the economy. GDP is down and the labour…
- Best of Business
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury Chief Executive on Business NZ report
A warning our major political parties need to display more bipartisan planning so we don't buckle to a dwindling population and economic growth. Business NZ's…
- Best of Business
David Mair: Sanford Managing Director on profits surging 224% and reducing debt by half
A big turnaround for fisheries company Sanford with the reveal of their latest profits. They’ve reported an after-tax profit of $63.7 million – a 224% increase…
- Best of Business
Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the report calling for a long-term plan to strengthen the country by 2050
Bold, bipartisan centred planning is key to ensuring New Zealand doesn't succumb to the effects of a dwindling population and economic growth. A new BusinessNZ…
- Best of Business
Karl Gradon: Comvita CEO on the company's future after failed rich-lister takeover
New Zealand's largest mānuka honey producer's voted down a richlister takeover bid, leaving its fate in limbo. Comvita received an offer of 80-cents-per-share…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics chief executive on food prices going up again thanks to eggs and dairy
Prices are soaring for food staples, with prices up 4.7 percent on a year ago. Stats NZ data for October shows cheese, instant coffee, eggs and milk had some…
- Best of Business
John Duffy: Consumer NZ Chief Executive comments on increased fines for breaching the Fair Trading Act
The Government is planning to increase fines for breaching the Fair Trading Act - from 600-thousand dollars to five-million. It is announcing a swathe of…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered - Episode 6: Angus Simms
New Zealand produces enough food to feed 40 million people. Some of it we consume and some some we export. But a staggering 30% of the food we make or grow…
- Best of Business
Paul Robertshawe: Octagon Chief Investment Officer discusses failed Comvita takeover bid
A shareholder vote to approve a takeover bid for Comvita has not gathered enough votes to proceed. The bid from Florence to buy Comvita at 80 cents a share…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the case for investing in gold in 2025
The price of gold continues to hit new highs, and speculators are wondering whether they should invest. Gold has seen the strongest year since the 1970s…
- Best of Business
Kent Duston: Banking Reform Coalition spokesperson on the state of the Government's banking inquiry
The Government says it will act on all 19 recommendations from Parliament’s banking inquiry - and it's committed to increasing scrutiny around the banking…
- Best of Business
Max Rashbrooke: IDEA Institute founding trustee explains the benefits of KiwiSaver for kids
One NZ-based think tank is floating the idea of KiwiSaver schemes for kids, claiming it could set them up with $10,000-$20,000 in savings by the time they…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor closing down his final business interests
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is closing down some of his last remaining known business interests, including Pitch@Palace Global Ltd. Pitch@Palace was a start-up…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the share market potentially recovering following the Govt shutdown
The long-running US Government shut-down has come with plenty of economic ripple effects, but there's hopes it could come to an end. The 41-day shutdown could…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on New Zealand's overdue tax debt hitting $9.3 billion
The country's overdue tax debt has hit $9.3 billion for the year to June, according to new reports. It's growing faster than the Government's tax take and New…
- Best of Business
Don Braid: Mainfreight CEO on the company's 20 percent profit drop
Shares in Transport and logistics company Mainfreight have rallied today, despite the company posting an 18.5 percent drop in first-half profit. The result's…
- Best of Business
Sue Chetwin: Grocery Action Group chair on the new Costco store planned for Drury
Costco's interest in New Zealand could be a good sign for our grocery sector. The big-box US retail chain's bought a large plot in the new Drury Town Centre…
- Best of Business
Theresa Payton: Fortalice Solutions CEO on the growing concerns about AI's development
Artificial intelligence is growing and changing and reshaping industries, but there's growing concerns about the harm it could bring. Trust is a valuable asset…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: At what point do business owners call it quits?
At what point, when you're a business owner, do you decide that you've had enough? There was Covid, then there were the boom times, then there was the…
- Best of Business
Damien Grant: Waterstone Insolvency Principal on the sharp rise in the number of insolvency
Many businesses that limped through the pandemic are now going under. Insolvency practitioners have been reporting a sharp rise in the number of insolvencies…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: Business NZ CEO on the follow up report on reducing compliance costs for small businesses
Business NZ believes further action is still needed to address compliance costs for small businesses. It says the Government's making good on its promise to…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what we can expect from Rocket Lab's results
Rocket Lab is set to unveil their results for Q3, and it's prompted speculation from experts. The company's seen some growth and shares have gone up, but…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the ongoing trade talks with India
The Prime Minister has indicated trade talks with India are progressing well - and speculation claims both nations could have a trade deal by next year. Trade…
- Best of Business
Antonia Watson: ANZ Chief Executive on the bank's annual profit going up by 21 percent
A $2.5 billion dollar boost for our largest bank. ANZ New Zealand's announced a 21 percent increase in its annual profit. It's largely down to a good year for…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the ongoing debate about asset sales
There's growing calls to revisit the asset sales debate ahead of the election next year. Chris Luxon's calling for an asset-recycling debate before next year's…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered Episode 5: Aidan Bartlett
What do you do, when you have invested all your money into an idea you thought was going off, and then the whole world shuts down? Do you try to fight on? Or…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Bank margins are going up despite major profits
The battle of the bank BS is back. BNZ, who announced their profit last week, talked of the strong competition out there. But I note their margin went up, up…
- Best of Business
Bryan Williams: BWA Insolvency founder says businesses are still closing because of COVID
Many businesses that limped through the pandemic are now going under. Insolvency practitioners have been reporting a sharp rise in the number of insolvencies…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the start of the 2025 China International Import Expo
The 2025 China International Import Expo has gotten underway in Shanghai and some familiar Kiwi brands are making an appearance. Fonterra, Zespri, Silver Fern…
- Best of Business
Shane Jones: Resources Minister on the reports warning the $200m gas fund may not be enough for the sector
Officials warn the $200 million set aside to encourage gas exploration may be too small - with production falling and closure of the ageing Māui field looming…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: Business NZ CEO on the increase in people taking sick leave
Those who are in work are taking more sick leave. New research by Southern Cross Health Insurance and Business NZ has found an average staff member took almost…
- Best of Business
Ryan Bridge: A little too much economic nimbyism going on
There’s a form of economic nimbyism that’s going on in this country. And if we want to get ahead, everyone knows there must be trade-offs. No economic miracle…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Adrian Orr threatening a former Reserve Bank economist with legal action
Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has threatened one of his fiercest critics with legal action. He has compelled a London-based central banking news…
- Best of Business
Nick Brunsdon: Infometrics Principal Economist on unemployment reaching 5.3 percent in the September quarter
One expert is warning the job market won't get easier any time soon. The latest Stats NZ data shows the unemployment rate has reached an almost nine-year high…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered Episode 4: Roger Gray
Five years ago, Port of Auckland was struggling with a shocking health and safety record. Three people had died and many more had been injured at work…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the Government's new joint project designed to cut down emissions
The Government's putting more than a million dollars into rolling out farming tech designed to cut down emissions. A $1.2 million dollar investment's been…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the RBA keeping interest rates on hold at 3.6 percent with no cuts in sight
Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank has opted to leave interest rates on hold at 3.6 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Experts had largely…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered Episode 3: Lisa King
They say when one door closes, another one opens. That’s certainly been the case for Lisa King. In the same breath she closed her first business Eat My Lunch…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to Westpac's profit
Westpac New Zealand recently saw a significant profit boost - and it's prompted discussion. The Australia-owned bank's reporting a 13 percent jump in net…
- Best of Business
Dr Allan Trench: mineral economist on Donald Trump signing minerals deals with Australia and Japan
US President Donald Trump has made significant progress on establishing critical mineral deals with Australia and Japan, prompting speculation from experts…
- Best of Business
Leonora Risse: Canberra University economics professor on the cost of unpaid labour
New research out of Australia has revealed the cost of unpaid household labour - and it's a high figure not recognised in economics statistics. These tasks -…
- Best of Business
Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on Australian home prices going up
Over in Australia, new data shows national home values rose 1.1 per cent over the month of October, and 6.1 per cent over the year. All of Australia's major…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered Episode 2: Rod Duke
Rod Duke has been selling things since he was 16. First shoes, then appliances, and eventually homewares and sportswear. Born in Adelaide, Duke came to New…
- Best of Business
Max Whitehead: Be careful when placing a complaint with HR
Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as the coach of the Silver Ferns in September due to 'significant issues' in the team. After many public statements and…
- Best of Business
Bosses Unfiltered Episode 1: Dame Wendy Pye
Dame Wendy Pye is one of the most successful businesspeople in New Zealand. She’s a rich-lister, her publishing company Sunshine Books has sold over 300…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on AI driving record US capex spending
New data shows AI is still holding strong in current financial markets. Meta, Microsoft and Google recently unveiled their earnings, and the data indicates…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: We need the teen social media ban, because the companies won't enforce it
I've got an update for you on the social media ban for kids situation - over in Australia, the social media companies have now admitted they can kick underage…
- Best of Business
Nikhil Ravishankar: Air New Zealand CEO says the airline's committed to receiving a regional subsidy from the Government
Air New Zealand says it's committed to maintaining regional connections, despite the Government turning down its offer. CEO Nikhil Ravishankar last week…
- Best of Business
Miles Hurrell: Fonterra CEO on the company selling off its consumer brands
Fonterra's farmer shareholders should get a decent payout from the sale of consumer brands like Anchor and Mainland. They've overwhelmingly voted for a $4.2…
- Best of Business
Garry Reymer: Fonterra Shareholder and Supplier talks about the company's major sell off
Signs are looking good for Fonterra's major sell-off to get the green light this morning. By 10:45 today, the shareholders will decide if selling big brands…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on whether the capital gains tax can work
Labour recently confirmed it aimed to campaign on the introduction of a capital gains tax on commercial and investment residential property. Leader Chris…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on when we can expect to see the economy recovering
It's been a tough couple of years for the economy, but there's hope things will pick up sooner rather than later. There's been an improved outlook on the NZX…
- Best of Business
Geof Nightingale: independent tax expert weighs up Labour's proposal for capital gains tax
The rate Labour settled on for its capital gains tax policy is partially below the recommendation made by the tax working group six years ago. The proposed 28…
- Best of Business
Todd Scott: NBR owner on the company's recent legal victory
Companies sharing small numbers of subscription passwords to access paywalled news content may face legal scrutiny. Business website NBR has reached…
- Best of Business
Tracey Martin: Chief Executive of the Aged Care Association on government's focus on aged care reform
The Government is throwing it's weight behind aged care reform. A ministerial advisory group has been established to review the outdated funding model, which…
- Best of Business
Todd McClay: Trade Minister discusses impact of ASEAN summitt on NZ-South East Asia trade relations
It's set to get easier for New Zealand businesses trading in South East Asia, as the Prime Minister's in Malaysia to finalise a regional deal. Chris Luxon is…