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 the new media moguls looking to buy TikTok
Move over Murdoch family - there's a new set of media moguls looking to make a name for themselves. Larry Ellison, founder of the software firm Oracle, and his…
- Best of Business
Hamish McKay: The Country spokesperson on what's behind the increase in the price of wool
Wool prices have seen a significant rise this week, and there's a few key factors behind this development. Currently, wool prices are on the longest rise since…
- Best of Business
Mark Stirton: Warehouse Group CEO hopeful the retailer can grow following recent net loss
The Warehouse Group's chief executive is confident he can turn the retail giant around. It's reporting an annual net loss of $2.76 million dollars - a major…
- Best of Business
Eyal Aharoni: property mogul says earthquake strengthening rule changes unlikely to slow down Wellington projects
A property mogul developing some of Wellington’s most infamous quake-prone sites has voiced support for recent Government changes, but says these won't slow…
- Best of Business
Michael Luke: Milford Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the Government's energy announcement
The Government recently unveiled its highly-anticipated energy sector announcement and it's prompted good news for the energy companies. The share price for…
- Best of Business
Jon Duffy and Alan McDonald: Consumer NZ CEO and EMA Head of Advocacy on the Government's plan to address energy sector issues
The Government finally unveiled its plan to address issues impacting the energy sector, and it's prompted a mixed response. The country's largest power…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Australian Reserve Bank keeping rates on hold
The Australian Reserve Bank will keep the Official Cash Rate on hold at at 3.6 percent. The RBA's Governor, Michele Bullock, says Australia is in a 'difficult…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Emirati retail giant LuLu Hypermarket being invited to set up in Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently confirmed he invited LuLu Hypermarket to set up in Australia while on a visit to the United Arab Emirates. This comes…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on Synlait selling their Pokeno plant for $307 million
Synlait has confirmed the sale of its loss-making factory at Pōkeno to US company, Abbott. The infant-formula company is selling the site and related assets…
- Best of Business
Leonie Freeman: Property Institute CEO weighs in on new earthquake-based building rules
The Government recently confirmed they were going to overhaul the assessment of earthquake-prone buildings - a move welcomed by property owners and building…
- Best of Business
Rudd Hughes: Workers First Union spokesperson addresses claims New World workers banned from water at checkouts
A New World worker's taken to social media to complain about an incoming water bottle ban. A Reddit user made a post stating their store's banning staff from…
- Best of Business
Chris Penk: Building and Construction Minister on the Government's overhaul impacting quake-prone buildings
A shake-up to the quake-prone building standards could be a reprieve for iconic properties facing large retrofit bills. The Government's loosening the regime…
- Best of Business
Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on the Optus outage that impacted triple-0 calls
Australian telco giant Optus is investigating another network outage that led to nine failed triple-0 calls on the NSW south coast. Optus has issued a…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Fonterra posting an improved financial result
New Zealand's economy has been shrinking, but our largest company has seen profits surge. Fonterra's announced a 13 percent rise in annual operating profit…
- Best of Business
John Carnegie: Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO on oil and gas exploration applications reopening
Oil and gas exploration applications have reopened for the first time since the 2018 ban. Companies can now apply for new prospecting and exploration permits…
- Best of Business
Miles Hurrell: Fonterra CEO reveals how strong result could lead to lower butter prices
Fonterra's CEO says cheaper butter prices could be on the horizon. The dairy co-op's announced a 13 percent rise in annual operating profit and a record-high…
- Best of Business
Mark Callander: 2degrees CEO on the company's net loss of $18.2 million for 2025
Telco provider 2degrees made a net loss attributable to shareholders of $18.2 million for the 2025 financial year. Despite this, operating earnings and overall…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Treasury issuing a warning about New Zealand's public finances
Treasury has raised the alarm over the state of New Zealand's public finances as part of its long-term fiscal forecast. Record levels of Government spending…
- Best of Business
Andrew Curtayne: Milford Asset Management expert on the tech companies catching the attention of investors
AI and technology stocks are continuing to have a significant presence in the market - but which companies are leading the charge? Broadcom and Oracle are…
- Best of Business
Scott Simpson: Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister on the open letter urging Govt to rethink surcharge ban
The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister is not sharing the same fears as retailers over the surcharge ban. Scott Simpson says the legislation banning…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the search for new Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman
Three hundred potential candidates were identified in the hunt for our new Reserve Bank Governor. The role has gone to Anna Breman, who was the First Deputy…
- Best of Business
Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on the Government revealing the new Reserve Bank Governor
The new Reserve Bank Governor is pledging to build trust and credibility. Sweden's Anna Breman has been announced to lead the central bank, taking over from…
- Best of Business
John MacDonald: Christopher Luxon's people don't even get him
You know how the Prime Minister does a very good job of batting away poll results and saying that his focus is fixing up the joint after the last lot and that…
- Best of Business
Leah McKerrow: North Chamber CEO on the call to reverse the ban on card surcharges
A view that small businesses may suffer and not be able to survive if the Government's surcharge ban comes into play. Commerce Minister Scott Simpson announced…
- Best of Business
Neil Paviour-Smith: Forsyth Barr Managing Director on the results of the Mood of the Boardroom survey
Business leaders aren’t sugarcoating their messages for the Government. The Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey shows business leaders are less…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on farmers offering an alternative to Alliance Group's Dawn Meats offer
A group of Southland farmers say there is a way to profitability for Alliance Group without selling off 65 percent of the co-op. Alliance shareholders are set…
- Best of Business
Paul Mackay: Business NZ employment specialist on the Government's changes to sick and annual leave
Business NZ says the Government's making workers leave simpler and more cost-effective. It's announced a new hours-based annual and sick leave accrual system…
- Best of Business
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations Minister on the Government's changes to the Holidays Act
There's hopes new changes around leave entitlements will mean employers can focus on their core business. The Government has announced a new hours-based annual…
- Best of Business
Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on the Government promising to confirm a new Reserve Bank Governor
Speculation is building on who'll be the next Governor of the Reserve Bank, and the Government is due to make an announcement tomorrow. A source has told…
- Best of Business
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the upcoming changes to the Holidays Act
Businesses are hopeful an overhaul of the Holidays Act will give them clearer leave guidelines. The Workplace Minister will announcing a change to the 2003 Act…
- Best of Business
Richard Tacon: BT Mining chief executive on the company's new deal with Genesis Energy
Genesis Energy has struck a two-year deal with New Zealand mining company BT Mining to supply 240,000 tonnes of coal to its Huntly Power Station. The deal…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the Government promising a significant boost to the construction sector
Nicola Willis says there's been a clear message to all ministers - we don't want the billions recently allocated for infrastructure sitting in Government bank…
- Best of Business
Sönke Iwersen: German investigative journalist on the new expose unveiling the inner workings of Tesla
Back in 2022, investigative reporter Sönke Iwersen received 100 gigabytes of confidential leaked data from a whistle-blower inside Tesla. The files detailed…
- Best of Business
Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB political reporter on what the recent GDP figures say about the economy
New reports show the economy is worse off than previously thought and it's sparked debate about what - or who - is to blame. GDP data shows the economy shrunk…
- Best of Business
Hamish Firth: Mt Hobson Group urban planning expert on the decline in Auckland apartment sales
The Auckland apartment market is so dire that a developer is renting instead of selling all the units in one new block. Ockham Residential CEO William Deihl…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather duPlessis-Allan: The GDP numbers are the fault of the Reserve Bank, not Nicola Willis
How is it that we are having a conversation today about whether Nicola Willis needs to quit her portfolio because of yesterday's shock GDP number? This is…
- Best of Business
Peter Lewis: Asia business correspondent on China's economy slowing due to slump in investment
China's economy continues to slow down after months of decline, and retail sales and industrial production are at their lowest levels of the year. Falling…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the US Federal Reserve moving to cut interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the first time since December. It's a 0.25 point drop, much lower than US President Donald Trump wanted. Sam…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on what the latest GDP drop means for the economy
The GDP drop has sparked concern among experts, and it's prompted many to update their economic outlook. GDP's fallen 0.9 percent in the June quarter - much…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The pressure's on the RBNZ to fix the economy - fast
Well, I think it's fair to say that the GDP print has come in at something of a shock. The Reserve Bank was picking a contraction of 0.3 percent. The consensus…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister voices surprise with latest GDP numbers
Nicola Willis says uncertainty over Donald Trump's tariffs drove down GDP in the June quarter. But the Finance Minister admits has admitted she was surprised…
- Best of Business
Greg Murphy: Kiwi motorsport driver on Tesla launching its Full Self-Driving service in New Zealand
Tesla today announced its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service has now been activated in New Zealand and Australia. Both countries are the first right-hand drive…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on GDP dropping 0.9 percent in the June quarter
New Zealand's economy has been shrinking much faster than experts anticipated, according to new reports. Latest data from Stats NZ shows GDP dropped 0.9…
- Best of Business
Vincent Holloway: Brooksfield Homes managing director unveils planned housing project for Auckland
Christchurch-headquartered Brooksfield Homes is looking to bring a new style of townhouse to Auckland. Reports claim the company's planned eight new Pt…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent ahead of the GDP figures coming out
New GDP figures are set to be unveiled tomorrow, and there's concerns from experts that the economy is struggling. The upcoming GDP data is projected to show…
- Best of Business
Gary Petley: South Waikato mayor on Carter Holt Harvey looking to close Tokoroa manufacturing plant
There's concern South Waikato's Tokoroa is facing another factory closure, with more than 100 jobs on the chopping block. Carter Holt Harvey is looking at…
- Best of Business
Jessica Walker: Consumer NZ Acting Head of Research and Advocacy on Wattie's encouraging consumers to buy NZ-grown peaches
The influence of the New Zealand-made label appears to be decreasing as more consumers prioritise price. Wattie's is ending some of its contracts with Hawke's…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Does buying NZ-made ever work?
First of all, can I start by offering an apology to TVNZ? I gave them a bit of grief last night for starting the news bulletin with the peaches, but it turns…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: Business NZ CEO on the services sector contracting for the 18th consecutive month
Our largest sector is continuing to do it tough. Latest data from BNZ and Business NZ shows our services sector —which makes up almost three quarters of the…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the latest economic data revealing things are still shrinking
New data suggests New Zealand's economic turmoil is far from over. New economic data from Stats NZ prompted BNZ to increase its estimate of the size of the…
- Best of Business
Jason Paris: One NZ CEO on the new service designed to show mobile outages in real time
A new service has been launched that's designed to show mobile network outages in real time. The service builds on the Hourua partnership between Spark and One…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister addresses protesters chained outside her electorate office
Nicola Willis has responded to protesters chained to the outside of her Johnsonville electorate office. The group of Christian leaders want an urgent timeline…
- Best of Business
Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on the Government looking into changing the rules so more concerts can be hosted
More events across the board could be coming to Auckland's Eden Park. RMA Minister Chris Bishop will lead an investigation into local rules impacting the…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the rise in global retail giants moving into New Zealand
Over the last few years, more international retail giants have moved to establish themselves in New Zealand. Costco opened its first store in West Auckland a…
- Best of Business
Lee Marshall: Hunter Campbell Managing Partner on the results of the Mood of the CFO survey
New Zealand’s finance leaders are more confident for the year ahead. A new report from the Hunter Campbell Group shows an uptick in confidence from CFOs, with…
- Best of Business
Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on Jetstar announcing new routes in latest expansion
Jetstar has unveiled its biggest expansion ever of its New Zealand and Trans-Tasman network. It's adding new routes from Brisbane to Queenstown and Hamilton to…
- Best of Business
Samantha Barrass: FMA chief executive on the decrease in Kiwi workers contributing to their KiwiSavers
The cost of living crisis is hitting New Zealanders hard, with many putting retirement savings on the backburner. The number of people contributing to…
- Best of Business
Amir Ghandar: Chartered Accountants ANZ Reporting and Assurance Leader on the growing number of investors utilising AI
New reports have revealed that more people are taking advantage of AI when it comes to making investment decisions. A recent survey claims at least one third…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Beef + Lamb NZ highlighting incoming headwinds in new report
New Zealand red meat prices are at record levels and are forecast to remain strong throughout the coming year, despite concerns about inflation. Board chair…
- Best of Business
Paddy Manning: author and journalist on the Murdoch family resolving media succession battle
Rupert Murdoch’s children have reached a settlement in the legal dispute over control of the right-wing media mogul’s companies, with son Lachlan set to take…