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
Todd Stephenson: Finance and Expenditure committee member says barriers need to be lowered for foreign banks
Parliament's finance and expenditure committee released the findings of its banking inquiry today, making 19 recommendations - 14 of which have cross-party…
- Best of Business
Miles Hurrell: Fonterra Chief Executive confident farmers will support $3.8billion brand sales
Fonterra is confident farmers will vote to sell major brands like Anchor and Mainland. It's reached a deal to sell its consumer and associated businesses to…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the success of Tencent
While experts are weighing up the results of US-based tech giants, one Chinese company is dominating markets. Tencent is a Chinese multinational technology…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Fonterra lifting the farmgate milk price forecast to $10.15/kgMS
Fonterra has increased its farmgate milk price forecast for the 2024/25 season to $10.15 per kg of milksolids from $10.00/kg, and has narrowed its forecast…
- Best of Business
Jason Walbridge: SkyCity CEO on the company's 42 percent profit drop
SkyCity is pushing forward with a new capital raise, after confirming a significant drop in profit. Underlying profit's plummeted 42 percent, according to new…
- Best of Business
Tim King: Tasman District mayor on the impact of the proposed Eves Valley Sawmill closure
There's belief the job losses at the Eves Valley Sawmill will have a significant impact on the area. Manufacturing company Carter Holt Harvey is proposing to…
- Best of Business
Jordan Boyle: employment lawyer on the House passing new pay transparency laws
Workers are now able to speak freely about their salaries, and it's got experts speculating about what this means for Kiwis. The House passed a new law last…
- Best of Business
Adrienne Begbie: Prospa Managing Director on the impact of the latest OCR cut
Will the latest cut to the Official Cash Rate provide some much-needed stimulus to the business sector? The central bank's cut the OCR 25 basis points to 3%…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on UK inflation jumping to 3.8 percent
UK inflation figure rises in data just released, and it's prompted concerns among experts. The 3.8 percent rise in inflation over the 12 months to July this…
- Best of Business
Remy Morgan: Milford Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the OCR cut
The Reserve Bank cut the OCR by 25 basis points to three percent today, but the markets still saw some surprises. Today's cut was divisive, with 2 of the 6…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Was Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr proven right?
The longer that this economic funk that we find ourselves in goes on, the more that Jarrod Kerr of Kiwibank is being proven right, isn't he? And we had a cut…
- Best of Business
Jolie Hodson: Spark CEO on the company reporting a significant fall in profit
Spark has reported another big fall in profit, with reported net profit down 17.7 percent to $260 million - or a 33.6 percent fall to $227 million, adjusting…
- Best of Business
Andrew Reding: Fletcher Building CEO on the company posting a multi-million dollar net loss
Fletcher Building has confirmed a new focus on building materials. The construction giant's announced a net loss of $419 million for the past year, compared to…
- Best of Business
Christian Hawkesby: acting Reserve Bank Governor says there's reasons to be positive following latest OCR cut
There's cautious optimism from the Reserve Bank Governor after cutting the OCR by 25 basis points this afternoon. Christian Hawkesby says the economy's been a…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR to 3 percent
The Reserve Bank is signalling further OCR cuts, but making no promises. It's slashed the cash rate 25 basis points today, to 3 percent. Newstalk ZB senior…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR to 3 percent
The Reserve Bank today moved to cut the OCR by 25 basis points to 3 percent, sparking debate among experts. While economists priced in a cut, some anticipated…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on the Auckland café pushing back against street flag ban
Auckland-based café Coffee on Queen is pushing back against a ban on advertising flags, and one expert says it's a sign of a bigger problem. Café owner Matt…
- Best of Business
Enda Brady: UK correspondent on the London pub adding an extra service charge to all drinks (1)
A Waterloo-based pub has raised eyebrows among Londoners after it introduced an extra service charge for all purchases. Drinkers at the pub will be expected to…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on whether the OCR will be cut tomorrow
The Reserve Bank is widely expected to cut the OCR tomorrow, according to new reports. The OCR is currently sitting at 3.25 percent and the major banks have…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the Government's plan to bring back live animal exports
Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the cogs of Cabinet. The Labour government…
- Best of Business
Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the company's recent drop in profitability
Mercury Energy's earnings have fallen on the back of weaker renewable electricity generation, and its bottom-line profit has taken a hit. The company's profit…
- Best of Business
Gareth Morgan: former economist and investment manager responds to investment scam deepfake
Former economist and investment manager Gareth Morgan was caught off-guard by an AI deepfake using his voice and likeness, and he's warned people to be…
- Best of Business
Julien Leys: Building Industry Federation chief executive on the Government's new changes for the building sector
The building sector has raised some questions over the Government's recent changes. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has introduced shared…
- Best of Business
Mike Fuge: Contact Energy CEO on the company's full-year net profit
One of the country’s major electricity companies is defending their increased profits amid rising energy prices. Contact Energy’s full year net profit is up…
- Best of Business
Mark Troughear: Freightways CEO on the rise in net profits for the year
Financial results are coming in thick and fast. a2 Milk is reporting a 21% rise in profit alongside announcing it has bought the Yashili plant in Pokeno. It's…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the financial results coming through this week
Financial results are coming in thick and fast. a2 Milk is reporting a 21 percent rise in profit - alongside announcing it bought the Yashili plant in Pokeno…
- Best of Business
Oliver Mander: NZ Shareholders Association spokesperson on honey giant Comvita being offered a takeover bid
Mānuka honey exporter Comvita has received a takeover offer from a subsidiary of Christchurch billionaire Mark Stewart’s Masthead Limited - Florenz. It's…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Beef + Lamb New Zealand's latest survey results
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has released its annual Stock Number Survey for the year ending 30 June 2025. The data shows New Zealand’s total sheep numbers fell…
- Best of Business
Jamie Beaton: Crimson Education CEO unveils new business venture
Crimson Education head Jamie Beaton has set his sights on a new business venture. Concord Visa is an immigration consultancy project designed to streamline how…
- Best of Business
Ekant Veer: University of Canterbury marketing professor reveals why we find free promotions irresistible
There's no shortage of stories where customers go crazy for free giveaways at the supermarket - and one expert has revealed why this is the case. Between…
- Best of Business
Felicity Roxburgh: NZ International Business Forum Executive Director on exports, impact of trade wars
New Zealand exporters are remaining upbeat. The latest Export New Zealand DHL Export Barometer shows about four in five have maintained or increased export…
- Best of Business
Michael Luke: Milford Asset Management expert on what the new US inflation data means for the economy
US inflation held steady in July, with consumer prices rising 2.7 percent - depite the ongoing concerns around import tariffs. Figures are better than…
- Best of Business
Viv Beck: Heart of the City chief executive agrees with growing calls to get Auckland's economy moving again
There's growing calls among Auckland business leaders to get the city's economy going again. According to the latest Stats NZ data, Auckland’s 6.1 percent…
- Best of Business
Simon Huesser: Huski Co-Founder on the company's success
From a PVC pipe in a Taranaki shed to international success, Huski Coolers has seen its overseas exports surge. The company's renowned wine cooler had its…
- Best of Business
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales Managing Director on the number of businesses reporting losses
More businesses are reporting losses but things may not be quite as bad as the numbers make it seem. Inland Revenue data shows one in five businesses aren't…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Dawn Meats lining up to buy 65 percent of Alliance Group
Meat processor Alliance Group says Dawn Meats is lining up to pay $250 million for a 65 percent stake in the meat co-op. Alliance, a farmer-owned co-operative…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Devon Funds Head of Retail on Spark selling 75 percent of its data centre business to Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners
Spark New Zealand is selling 75 percent of its data centre business for about half a billion dollars. Australian-owned Pacific Equity Partners is taking the…
- Best of Business
Gareth Kiernan: Infometrics Chief Forecaster on the number of businesses reporting losses
A growing number of businesses are reporting losses and economists have voiced concerns. IRD data shows that in the 2023 tax year, 107,360 companies out of…
- Best of Business
Shane Jones: Resources Minister reveals he's focusing on how to ration gas to keep businesses afloat
Resources Minister Shane Jones is investigating whether to ration gas to keep some businesses going. Fertiliser co-operative Ballance last week revealed it's…
- Best of Business
Jonathan Young: Ara Ake Head of Industry and Government Engagement on the impact of the rapidly declining gas supply
The speed of decline of our gas supply could be hampering the transition to alternative energy. A Business NZ survey of commercial and industrial users shows…
- Best of Business
Tina Schirr: Business NZ Energy Council Executive Director on businesses being hit by surging gas prices
There's a view businesses have been taken by surprise by surging gas prices. Energy management company Optima and Business NZ's joint survey reveals gas prices…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on what the US CPI report means for rates
The next US Consumer Price Inflation report will be out this week, and economists are speculating about what this could mean going forward. Markets are keeping…
- Best of Business
Mat Woods: Destination Queenstown CEO on the the $130 million luxury hotel set to be built in Queenstown
A new $130 million luxury hotel development in Queenstown is designed to draw in more high-spending visitors. The new hotel will sit on an elevated 1.2 hectare…
- Best of Business
Business Panel: Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage and Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young
They are some of the biggest industries affected by a slumping economy, so how are they holding up in 2025? Unemployment and inflation have both risen in the…
- Best of Business
Peter Lewis: Asia Business Correspondent on India’s reaction to US President Trump's ‘dead economy’ comment
US President Donald Trump has called India a country with a ‘dead economy.’ Despite India being one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: BusinessNZ CEO on the labelling regulations in New Zealand
There’s a view we're an international outlier with our labelling regulations. The standards are under review from the Ministry for Regulation in its latest…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on how investors can respond to the ongoing global uncertainty
2025 has been regarded as a challenging year for economic forecasting, with experts stumped about what decisions to make. Traditional indicators have been…
- Best of Business
Mark Heine: Eroad co-CEO reveals how electronic RUCs could work
Fuel taxes are set to be replaced by road user charges for all vehicles - and it's left many wondering how these changes will be implemented. Eroad has…
- Best of Business
Kelvin Wickham: Ballance CEO on the company's Kapuni plant facing temporary shutdown
A temporary shutdown may be on the cards for fertiliser manufacturer Ballance as it struggles to secure affordable gas. The farmer and grower co-op says it may…
- Best of Business
Robyn Walker: Deloitte Tax Partner on businesses owing more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE
A tax expert says there is a concerning trend as businesses owe more and more to Inland Revenue. Businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on Government debt levels rising globally
Government debt levels are rising globally - with many at risk of permanent structural deficits if they can't bring down interest bills each year. Cutting…
- Best of Business
Tony Morris: IRD Customer Segment Manager on the IRD revealing NZ businesses owe over $1.4 billion in unpaid taxes
New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports. Of 2025's number, $432.9 million…
- Best of Business
Michael Gordon: Westpac senior economist on the unemployment rate rising to 5.2 percent
The sluggish job market is another bump in our road to economic recovery, according to some recent predictions. The unemployment rate's sitting at 5.2 percent…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the unemployment rate reaching 5.2%
Economic recovery is taking longer than many hoped. Unemployment's risen to a five-year high of 5.2%, up from 5.1% in the March quarter. New Zealand officially…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of Wednesday's projected unemployment data
The latest unemployment statistics for New Zealand are due out tomorrow, and experts are divided ahead of the announcement. Many are projecting the market will…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the potential impact of Trump's increased tariffs on NZ
Trump surprised New Zealand businesses with a new 15 percent tariff, and experts have crunched the numbers to find out what this could mean for our key…
- Best of Business
Jon Duffy: Consumer NZ CEO on New World's Smeg kitchenware promotion leaving customers unhappy
New World customers are struggling to get their hands on Smeg kitchenware, available under a 12-week promotion. They can collect one sticker for every $20…
- Best of Business
Patrick Phelps: Minerals West Coast manager explains why coal stockpiling deal is needed
New Zealand's biggest energy players - Genesis, Meridian, Mercury and Contact - have formed a deal to stockpile coal at Huntly Power Station, and questions…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on what happened to the US share market last week
US markets cracked sharply last Friday, and experts are aiming to discover what happened. Job market slumps, economic uncertainty and growing tariff tensions…
- Best of Business
Malcolm Johns: Genesis Energy chief executive on Huntly's power station remaining operational for the next decade
Genesis Energy and the three other big power generators have signed agreements to establish a strategic energy reserve centred on Genesis’ Huntly Power…