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
Greg Smith: Generate investment specialist on Hallenstein Glasson reporting boost in earnings
Hallenstein Glasson is reporting a boost in earnings, with net profit up in the full year ended August. The retail giant posted a net profit of $59.2 million…
- Best of Business
Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance spokesperson on Labour's plan to return the books to surplus
Labour's Finance spokesperson won't commit to delivering a surplus by 2029/30 if it's at the expense of restoring pay equity. Barbara Edmonds says she is…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the pre-election opening of the Government books
National's Nicola Willis is putting the rosier Government books - unveiled today - down to Kiwis' hard work, but won't say whether they'll be repaid a dividend…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on whether the RBA is set to lift the OCR again
Economists are expecting the Reserve Bank of Australia to lift the OCR up again this evening. A rise of 25 basis points is projected, meaning the OCR could go…
- Best of Business
Richard Arnold: US correspondent on Bill Gates warning that AI growth can't keep 'going unchecked'
Bill Gates is the latest big name in the tech sector to issue a warning about AI amid rising concerns. Gates says the technology needs to be regulated and…
- Best of Business
Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on Andy Burnham's bid to fix the cost of living amid rising energy prices
Over in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to bring 'stability' back to the UK's economy as Labour heads to Liverpool. However, economic concerns…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: BusinessNZ CEO on the impact NZ First's proposed tax cut for small and medium businesses could have
There's a belief New Zealand First's proposal to slash the tax rate for small businesses could make a positive difference to our business landscape. The…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: Are these election promises worth it to you?
The political parties have pressed go on their election campaigns and every morning from now until November 7th, we'll have a full smorgasbord of party…
- Best of Business
Campbell Parker: DairyNZ CEO on Fonterra's positive annual result
Another positive annual result for Fonterra despite challenging weather conditions and global volatility. The dairy co-op's confirmed a total cash return to…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the launch of Meta's new AI assistant Muse
Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has launched its own new AI-powered assistant. Muse went to number one on the app stores and it's generated…
- Best of Business
Richard Allen: Fonterra CEO on the company delivering a full-year profit of $2.6 billion
Fonterra's boss believes the dairy co-op remains in a strong position, following the sell-off of its consumer brands. It's confirmed a 23.6 percent rise in…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on NZ First's bid to cut taxes for small and medium businesses
NZ First want taxes slashed for small and medium businesses in order to increase productivity. The party will campaign on lowering the rate from 28 percent to…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: Time is running out for businesses that run on gas
Time is running out for the businesses that generate billions of dollars worth of GDP and that employ a quarter of a million New Zealanders. They're the…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor explains why insurance disputes have risen to record levels
New data shows insurance disputes have risen to record levels for the year ended 30 June 2026. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme reported…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on KMD Brands reporting $414 million loss
It's been a disappointing result for KMD Brands, but the company has indicated growth could be coming. The owner of Kathmandu and Rip Curl has reported a…
- Best of Business
Danielle Forde: Northern Beaches buyers agent on Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford reportedly buying $6.5 million Sydney home
Dame Jacinda Ardern and husband Clarke Gayford have reportedly bought a multimillion-dollar home in Sydney's Northern Beaches suburb. The pair sold their…
- Best of Business
Andrew Fairgray: 2degrees Chief Business Officer on the company posting a $1.46 billion profit
2degrees has posted another year of growth, with revenue up 5.5% to $1.46 billion. Profit before tax was $27.4 million, marking a $50 million turnaround, with…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on whether the RBA is set to lift the OCR again
Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank is set to make their next announcement about the OCR in the coming days - and speculation indicates it will go up again…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on weight loss drugs boosting demand for fish
The growth of weight-loss drugs is leading to an increase of global demand for fish. Reports indicate the rise of GLP-1 treatments is encouraging people to…
- Best of Business
Adrian Daniel: streetwear influencer on the impact of Nike falling out of the S&P 100
Footwear icon Nike has seen shares drop and it's fallen out of the S&P 100, raising concerns about the brand's future. The sport and athleisure company has…
- Best of Business
Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the review into the RBNZ's Covid-19 response
There's some defence of the Reserve Bank's pandemic response - after a new report was released. The independent report into its Covid monetary policy finds it…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on whether bond markets are positioned for more interest rate hikes
The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan both made headlines over their recent moves to lift official cash rates, leaving experts to wonder what could be…
- Best of Business
Patrick Noone: former Costco NZ managing director on Labour and National pledging to make Foodstuffs changes
A former Costco NZ boss is mostly on-board with National's election Foodstuff break-up plan to drive down grocery prices, but he likes some Labour ideas, too…
- Best of Business
Ethan Vickery: Kai Co founder and operations director on National's bid to break up Foodstuffs
The supermarket competition debate continues on, with National indicating they'll make changes if re-elected. The party's proposing to increase competition by…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates
The US Central Bank has raised interest rates for the first time in three years. It's moving from a range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent, to 3.75 to 4 percent. Sam…
- Best of Business
Eric Rush: New World owner-operator voices concerns with National's pledge to split up Foodstuffs
Supermarket owners all over the country have raised concerns over National's election promise to split up Foodstuffs. The party wants to create a third player…
- Best of Business
Stephen Toplis: BNZ Head of Research on what the second quarter GDP results mean for the economy
Economic growth has slowed, with New Zealand getting through the fuel crisis better than feared. Stats NZ data shows GDP rose 0.2 percent in the June quarter…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on NZ's GDP rising 1.7 percent in the year to June
New Zealand is outperforming other countries in annual economic growth, but appears to have been hit harder by fuel hikes. Stats NZ data shows GDP rose 1.7…
- Best of Business
Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy on National's plan to split up Foodstuffs to drive competition
Blowback from a business advocate on National's plan to break up Foodstuffs. If elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, the party would separate…
- Best of Business
Rod Duke: Briscoe Group managing director on the retailer reporting a lift in revenue
There's mixed results out of Briscoe Group, with the homeware and sporting goods retailer reporting a small lift in revenue and a downgrade in profit in its…
- Best of Business
Mike Lee: UOA marketing professor on Auntie Anne’s and Carvel expanding to Westfield Newmarket
Off the back of Cinnabon launching a flagship store at Auckland's Westfield Newmarket, two more American food chains will make their New Zealand debut later…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on what the latest Federated Farmers Confidence survey means for the sector
New data out of Federated Farmers shows profitability is the highest it’s been in a decade, with 72 percent of farmers making a profit and fewer than one in 20…
- Best of Business
Robin Oliver: OliverShaw Tax Partner on Nicola Willis hinting income tax cuts could come if National re-elected
Nicola Willis is hinting National could introduce more income tax cuts if the party's re-elected, but Kiwis may have to wait for them. Speaking on a panel at…
- Best of Business
Tania Tapsell: Rotorua Mayor on tourism arrivals overtaking pre-Covid numbers
Belief July's record tourism numbers is a reflection of an investment finally paying off. Stats NZ data shows 256-thousand-600 overseas tourists arrived during…
- Best of Business
Bruce Bernacchi: Dentons tax partner on the impact of Labour's proposed capital gains tax
With the election under two months away, questions have been raised over the impact of Labour's proposed capital gains tax. This campaign promise has copped…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: Will the new CRL really boost productivity?
I hope you'll be phoning in to tell me all about the CRL - because it's trains, planes and automobiles today with the official launch of the long awaited CRL…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: BusinessNZ CEO on the growing calls to invest more into health spending
There's growing calls to boost the health system in order to drive economic growth, and BusinessNZ has outlined its concerns. The list of Health Priorities…
- Best of Business
Richard Arnold: US correspondent on the growing calls to take AI risks seriously
Donald Trump is citing the US's rivalry with China as he brushes off concerns around artificial intelligence. The US president is downplaying the heightened AI…
- Best of Business
Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on the UK GDP going up by 0.4 percent
The UK's GDP grew by 0.4 percent in July, surprising economists after no growth was predicted. The economic growth was driven by several key sectors, and…
Best of BusinessSpecial Series: Common Grounds with Nespresso
In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses -…
Best of BusinessSpecial Series: Common Grounds with Scapegrace
In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses -…
Best of BusinessSpecial Series: Common Grounds with Signature Homes
In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses -…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the AI researcher quitting Anthropic and warning of the tech's risks
An artificial intelligence researcher who worked with Anthropic recently quit the industry, and accused the AI giants of 'gambling with our lives' to grow the…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the market volatility potentially impacting red meat sector
New data shows red meat prices are likely to remain strong, but there's a growing risk of market volatility. Beef + Lamb New Zealand has warned the margins are…
- Best of Business
Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group managing director on New Zealand’s largest Kmart opening today
New Zealand's largest Kmart has opened today, at Auckland's Westgate Town Centre. The new store will be the retailer's first to debut the new Plan C+ format…
- Best of Business
Peter Griffin: BusinessDesk tech columnist on Apple unveiling its first foldable iPhone
Apple revealed its first foldable iPhone today, alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and some other new products. The new 'Duo' product will be…
- Best of Business
Glenn Harris: Warriors COO of Commercial and Marketing on the growing demand for Warriors merch ahead of Dolphins clash
People can't get enough of the Warriors this week, as finals fever grips fans all over the nation. Saturday's big finals clash against the Dolphins at Mount…
- Best of Business
Jos Ruffell: Garage Project co-founder on how the Australian excise tax break impacts Kiwi brewers
Kiwi brewers have voiced frustration with Australia's excise tax break for their brewers - and claimed it gives them benefits that New Zealand companies can't…
- Best of Business
Brent Kleiss: NZPork chief executive on the Government's refusal to make changes around labelling pork
The pork industry is calling for more clarity around 'country of origin' labelling when it comes to their products, but the Government won't make any changes…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on ACC Minister Scott Simpson promising a crackdown on fraud
The Government is looking to crack down on ACC-based fraud, but questions have been raised over the details of this move. ACC Minister Scott Simpson recently…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on KMD Brands' share price going up after 'brutal' few months
After a tough year for KMD Brands, the company's luck is turning around on the share market. The company behind Kathmandu and Rip Curl saw its share price go…
- Best of Business
Dylan Firth: Brewers' Association Executive Director on what the new Government report on the hospitality sector means for businesses
Cheers for a Government report on hospitality, according to some industry experts. A Ministry for Regulation review has found bureaucratic red tape and…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the new hospitality sector changes being made by the Government
The Government's following a Ministry of Regulation recipe for more straightforward hospitality rules. A review's outlined the costly and cumbersome problems…
- Best of Business
John Pask: BusinessNZ Chief Economist on their latest forecast predicting solid economic growth out to 2028
The latest forecast from BusinessNZ shows New Zealand's economy's regained momentum. It's predicting solid economic growth out to 2028, citing the fact…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist speculates about future increases to Australia's OCR
Growing inflation and a changing economy could inspire Australia's Reserve Bank to start putting the OCR up again, according to one expert. Australia's current…
- Best of Business
Paul Spain: Gorilla Technology CEO on Nvidia's CEO claiming AI has matched human capability
One of the biggest names in the world of AI has claimed that the technology can match human capabilities, but one expert has warned us not to get too excited…
- Best of Business
Jessie Creedmore: Buller petition organiser on the growing support to expand Bathurst Resources' Stockton site
Buller residents are rallying behind the district’s biggest employer - Bathurst Resources. The mine company is seeking fast-track approval to expand the…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the Asia-Pacific market reactions to the Middle East conflict
The US and Iran have launched more tit-for-tat strikes over the weekend, resulting in oil prices going up - but what has it done for the markets? Experts…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: BusinessNZ Chief Executive on the new report warning NZ to spend more on medicines
BusinessNZ's calling for a funding reset on medicines, with a new report highlighting the long-term benefits of investing more into healthcare. The report…
- Best of Business
Simon Kebbell: Port of Tauranga CFO on the port getting approved for an expansion
A long-awaited project at Port of Tauranga has the green light. The Stella Passage development will extend container berths and wharves, after getting…