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
Dr Chris Litten: BRANZ General Manager of Research on the building sector body developing pre-designed home plans
One of New Zealand's leading building sector bodies is launching standard house designs that will be available to all, in an attempt to bring down costs. The…
- Best of Business
Mark Gillard: NZ Careers Expo director on job opportunities declining for young Kiwis
There's immense pressure for young New Zealanders trying to find work as opportunities decline. Stats NZ data shows 16 percent of Kiwis aged 15-24 are…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on businesses and economic recovery
The Finance Minister says businesses should be more confident about the economic recovery. The Reserve Bank's been weighing up lower-than-expected growth and…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Uber fighting back against 2022 employment ruling
Unions are urging Uber to consider New Zealanders needs - after drivers protested outside the Supreme Court today. It's over an Uber appeal of a 2022 ruling…
- Best of Business
Remy Morgan: Milford Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the RBNZ leaving the OCR on hold
The Reserve Bank left the OCR on hold at 3.25 percent - with the bank claiming it was waiting for more economic data. Economists widely suspected the RBNZ…
- Best of Business
Simon Court: ACT MP voices concerns about cultural requirements slowing down construction projects
An ACT MP claims cultural requirements in resource consents are creating extra costs and slowing down solar farm projects. Undersecretary for RMA Reform, Simon…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the Reserve Bank keeping the OCR unchanged
Another cut to the Official Cash Rate still looks more likely than not, according to one expert. The Reserve Bank's kept the OCR unchanged at 3.25 percent…
- Best of Business
Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the Government's first AI strategy
Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board. Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Reserve Bank of Australia holding rates at 3.85 percent
The Reserve Bank of Australia has defied market expectations by leaving its cash rate target unchanged at 3.85 percent. Market expectations were for the…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on whether the OCR will be cut tomorrow
The Reserve Bank is expected to take a breather when it reviews the Official Cash Rate on Wednesday, before pushing on with cuts later in the year. The central…
- Best of Business
Mario Thorne: McVeagh Fleming Associate on the Government streamlining the process for selling houses owned by family trusts
A property lawyer says new proposals take a major burden off realtor's shoulders. The Government is streamlining the process for selling a house held by a…
- Best of Business
Shayne Currie: NZME Editor-at-Large on TVNZ launching an independent review into news content
TVNZ is set to launch an independent review of its news content to check for balance and bias. This follows Media Minister Paul Goldsmith expressing interest…
- Best of Business
Mark Oldershaw: WellingtonNZ chief executive on how the capital can grow
The organisation tasked with helping to grow the Wellington region's economy has a new boss - and he says Wellington needs to focus more on its successes…
- Best of Business
Cade Thornton: Cardrona co-owner on the surging buyer interest in the iconic hotel
Buyer interest in Central Otago's iconic Cardrona Hotel is breaking records, and it's looking on track to become Trade Me's most-viewed property this year. The…
- Best of Business
Catherine Beard: Business NZ Advocacy Manager on the tariffs on US trade
New Zealand isn't likely to get a better deal than we're currently getting, when it comes to trade with the US. Almost all goods to the US now face a 10% base…
- Best of Business
Tama Potaka: Māori Development Minister on iwi-owned commercial entities outperforming large companies
Iwi-owned commercial entities have outperformed some of New Zealand’s largest listed companies. ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report shows the entities…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the market reactions to Trump's newest tariff threats
Time's ticking for US trade partners to sign tariff deals with Donald Trump. In April, the President announced most countries, including New Zealand, would…
- Best of Business
Tim Aldridge: Puro co-founder on the regulations impacting cannabis distribution in NZ
New Zealand has a limited range of ventures producing medicinal cannabis - but the most successful distributor doesn't even sell directly to Kiwis. Medical…
- Best of Business
Rawdon Christie: Real estate agent says some Kiwis are stumbling into home ownership.
A Realestate.co.nz survey found that 24% of respondents bought a property without initially intending to purchase, with 8% buying spontaneously in the past…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on on the rise of stablecoins
Mastercard and a small handful of other companies have dominated the way money moves between banks, shops and consumers, but that could soon change…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on dairy prices dropping in fourth consecutive auction
Prices continue to drop in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, with a 4.1 percent decrease across the board. It is the largest decline this calendar year…
- Best of Business
Will Burrett: Landcorp Chief Operating Officer on the Government zeroing in on the company's performance
Simeon Brown has told various Government-owned companies they must explain why they are failing to deliver their cost of equity and how they will improve their…
- Best of Business
Chris Penk: Building and Construction Minister on the Government overhauling insulation regulations to cut costs
The Building and Construction Minister is backing scaling back some insulation standards. The Government's called the changes 'common sense' - with building…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management Equities Analyst on the current state of the global markets in 2025
2025 is halfway over - so how are the global markets holding up, and what can investors expect for the second half of the year? Several key markets have…
- Best of Business
Damian Spring: Santana Minerals Chief Executive on Australian miners predicting Otago gold mine could make $3.8 billion
Australian mining firm Santana Minerals has forecasted making $3.8 billion (NZD) in pre-tax profit off a proposed gold mine it hopes to open in Otago by 2027…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister discusses the state of Wellington, economy and supermarkets
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says New Zealand has not “escaped the aftershocks of world events” as new data shows hardship rising and more Kiwis struggling…
- Best of Business
Catherine Beard: Business NZ Advocacy Director on the establishment of Invest New Zealand
Business NZ's Advocacy Director says Invest New Zealand is looking to hire people with an array of international connections. The government organisation's…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on Canada rescinding digital services tax
Canada recently scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms - just hours before it was due to take effect. Canadian Prime Minister Mark…
- Best of Business
Cathy Hendry: Strategic Pay managing director on the results from the latest Directors' Fees Survey
Strategic Pay's latest Directors' Fees Survey has uncovered an unexpected trend in the nation's private sector boardrooms. The data shows women are out-earning…
- Best of Business
Chris Bishop: RMA Minister criticises the resource consent requirements impacting Auckland's Ikea
The Government's slamming the requirement for builders of a new Ikea in Auckland - to consult with seven mana whenua groups. Consent for the Sylvia Park store…
- Best of Business
Andrew Eagles: NZ Green Building Council CEO on the Healthy Homes requirements kicking in tomorrow
There's concerns not all landlords will comply with the Healthy Homes standards set to kick in tomorrow. New rental compliance standards for heating…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Nike's share price dropping
New reports show Nike's stock has plummeted 68 percent from its November 2021 peak. Experts say it's a textbook 'fallen angel' - a former market darling now…
- Best of Business
Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on the state of the international housing market
New reports indicate the global housing market has entered a significant downturn. Existing home sales have neared recessionary levels and new home sales are…
- Best of Business
Mark Aue: Chorus NZ CEO on making the infrastructure priority list
Broadband company Chorus is celebrating an endorsement from the Infrastructure Commission for its planed extension. Chorus seeks to extend its ultrafast…
- Best of Business
Craig Piggott: Halter founder and CEO on the company raising $165 million in funding
Halter, a New Zealand tech company specialising in virtual fencing and animal management technology, has raised $165 million in a Series D fundraising round…
- Best of Business
Antonia Watson: ANZ CEO on the bank lending less to businesses than it did five years ago
New Zealand’s largest bank is lending less cash to businesses than it was half a decade ago. Figures from the Reserve Bank show a softening across all bank…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the market response to the US strikes on Iran
Market reactions after the US strikes on Iran have been more 'muted' than expected, especially compared to the response from a week ago. Reports indicate…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister weighs in on the US' attacks on Iran
The Finance Minister's keeping a close eye on the economic impact of volatility in the Middle East. Economists worry it will impact oil, driving up prices at…
- Best of Business
Stephen Hoadley: international relations expert on whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz
Following the recent US strikes on Iran, experts have voiced concerns over whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is considered a significant…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on how investors can prepare for geopolitical disruptions
The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying. Experts also believes markets are…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large unpacks recent GDP data for first quarter of 2025
New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. It's a stronger result than predicted…
- Best of Business
Mark Hooper: Federated Farmers transport spokesperson on the backlash to the Government's new 'ute tax'
Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes. The IRD has proposed…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank chief economist issues warning after GDP figures unveiled
Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good. Stats NZ says our gross domestic…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Nicola Willis revealing legal advice was sought over RBNZ funding
The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding. The bank received less money than…
- Best of Business
Andrew Curtayne: Milford Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the Israel-Iran conflict
The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing on - and it's sparked concerns among investors. US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's unconditional…
- Best of Business
Satish Ranchhod: Westpac senior economist on consumer confidence going up in June
New data shows consumer confidence has gone up - but overall levels show people are feeling more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy. The Westpac…
- Best of Business
Tony Morris: Inland Revenue spokesperson on the horticulture sector not paying enough tax
The Inland Revenue Department has unveiled the horticulture sector hasn't paid their fair share of taxes. Over the last 10 months, the IRD has found $45…
- Best of Business
Simon Arcus: Business Central CEO on the rising optimism among business leaders
New Zealand businesses believe things are looking up, with optimism at a high. The 2degrees 2025 Shaping Business Study reveals 45% of surveyed business…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on farmer confidence remaining at a near-record high
Farmer confidence remains at a near-record high, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey. Farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy was…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on food prices rising by 4.4 percent
Food prices increased 4.4 percent in the 12 months to May 2025, following a 3.7 percent increase in the 12 months to April 2025, according to figures released…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Manufacturing is our big economic red flag
As much as we tried to celebrate last week's excellent economic numbers regarding the food and fibre, the bullishness of Fieldays, the boost in elective…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the market reactions to the Iran-Israel conflict
Israel and Iran have been engaged in air strikes for several days now - and experts have wondered what the conflict could mean for the wider world. It's day…
- Best of Business
Business Panel: Dragonfly owner Tania Siladi and Nada Bakery owner Michael Gray
This week on the Business Panel, Nick was joined by two second-generation Wellington business owners. On the agenda was the state of the city, potential…
- Best of Business
Francesca Rudkin: It's the end of an era for two classic Kiwi brands
This week marks the end of an era for two classic Kiwi brands - department store Smith & Caughey’s announced it will shut their doors for the last time at 4pm…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the mood of Fieldays 2025
It's all go at Fieldays 2025, and the Country's Jamie Mackay is taking it all in. Farmers are in a better mood as primary export figures soar - and business is…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large speculates about upcoming GDP
The GDP for Q1 is set to drop next week - and experts are feeling confident about the state of the economy. Predictions from economists claim figures will pick…
- Best of Business
Sam: caller on whether implementing price controls for alcohol at off-licence stores will help the hospitality industry
There's growing calls to implement price controls on alcohol sold at off-licence stores to boost the hospitality industry and reduce the negative impacts of…
- Best of Business
Sam Trethewey: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on Fletcher Building's strong day on the NZX
The NZ sharemarket lifted today as Fletcher Building announced it had received inquiries from parties interested in buying its businesses. The S&P/NZX 50 Index…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the concerns surrounding new KiwiSaver changes
There are fears Finance Minister Nicola Willis is opening a can of worms by potentially allowing young farmers to dip into their KiwiSavers to buy farms. She…
- Best of Business
Anthony Morsinkhof: luxury real estate agent pens open letter urging Government to lift foreign buyer ban
An open letter has been written to the Prime Minister urging Luxon to ease the ban on foreign house buyers. This letter comes after multiple NBR Rich Listers…