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
Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the new reports revealing why Adrian Orr left the RBNZ
A former Reserve Bank economist is calling out his former employers' lack of transparency. The bank today revealed Adrian Orr quit as Governor in March, when…
- Best of Business
Katrina King: Franchise Association CEO on franchising in New Zealand
As more people take the leap to owning their own businesses, many seem to be buying into already established brands. Data suggests the business of franchising…
- Best of Business
Jason Flitter: NewZealand.AI founder on the applications and benefits of AI in business
There’s been plenty of buzz around AI in the last few years. The most recent headlines have been highlighting its evils, such as the creation and lack of…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist speculates about the future of interest rates
Acting Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby left experts speculating about the future of interest rates following the recent OCR cut. More banks have…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on new data revealing more Kiwis are moving
New census data shows more Kiwis are moving house than ever and it's raised questions among experts. 45 percent of New Zealanders have moved address over the…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Spare a thought for Aucklanders today
It is as expected - if our office is anything to go by, Auckland is a miserable town today because the house valuations are out, and they're bad. Just about…
- Best of Business
Murray Crane: Crane Brothers expert reveals what latest data says about Kiwis' shopping habits
New figures from NZ Post’s latest eCommerce Market Sentiments Report show more Kiwis get last-minute jitters before they check out. The data shows 68 percent…
- Best of Business
Rawdon Christie: real estate agent on what decreased Auckland property valuations mean for buyers
Buyers could hold all the cards, based on a plunge in Auckland Council home valuations. Numbers have been released today for 630,000 properties across the…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: Is it feasible to leave your job and buy a business?
If you turned up to work yesterday, first day of a new week, with a bad case of Mondayitis, feeling like you're getting nowhere working for the man, thinking…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Hospo - a boom or a bust?
We got the press release recently from the Restaurant Association where they said there were flat sales, cost pressures and regional divergence was the theme…
- Best of Business
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales CEO on the rising number of people looking to purchase businesses
Now is the time to sell your business. According to ABC Business Sales, the number of buyers enquiring about purchases is up 30%. Demand is currently…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson explains why the US share markets have picked up
US share markets have continued to pick up recently, sparking discussion among experts. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains the factors behind the…
- Best of Business
Ian Cassels: Director of The Wellington Company on the impact of increased rates on businesses
Wellington City Council is being called on to review its rating system over fears increased rates are driving businesses out of the capital. Newly released…
- Best of Business
Ross Tucker: Auckland Council Group CFO explains why Auckland home values have dropped
Auckland home values have fallen, down nine percent on CVs released in 2021. New capital values are being released tomorrow for 630,000 properties, with…
- Best of Business
Richard McIntyre: Federated Farmers' banking spokesperson on the petition urging the Government to change KiwiSaver rules for farmers
Federated Farmers has launched a petition calling for KiwiSaver rules to be changed to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. The petition’s launch…
- Best of Business
Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy, Finance and Strategy on the increased revenue and profitability in the manufacturing sector
Positive news from the manufacturing sector. Data from inventory management software company Unleashed shows that both revenue and profitability is up. In the…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert explains why the US debt burden is getting more attention
The US debt burden has been thrust into the spotlight - and it's an ongoing point of concern. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains why this is happening…
- Best of Business
Stephen Jacobi: former trade negotiator on Labour criticising the Government for not getting a better trade deal from the Trump administration
Labour has slammed the Government for not getting a better trade deal out of the current Trump administration. New Zealand currently has to pay a 10 percent…
- Best of Business
Matthew Lane: Night 'n Day general manager on the Commerce Commission threatening a crackdown on supermarkets
The Commerce Commission is proposing to give grocery suppliers a leg up in their dealings with the supermarket giants. The commission has proposed updates to…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the UK being temporarily spared from Trump's 50 percent steel tariffs
The UK has managed to escape Donald Trump's recent executive order doubling steel and aluminium tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent. The order raises import…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on homeowners needing to pay extra to fund the Natural Hazards Commission
Homeowners need to brace for another cost increase, this time to help fund the state disaster insurer, the Natural Hazards Commission. The minister responsible…
- Best of Business
Oliver Hartwich: New Zealand Initiative executive director on the impact of the Trump tariffs
Business leaders across New Zealand have voiced concerns that Donald Trump's tariffs could have a more severe global impact than the Covid-19 pandemic and the…
- Best of Business
Grant McCallum: Northland MP reveals why Landcorp needs to improve its performance
There's belief state-owned enterprises need to go back to basics in order to up their game. New Treasury documents show the Government's told New Zealand Post…
- Best of Business
Julian Benefield: General Counsel for Foodstuffs North Island on supermarket facial recognition tech getting approval from the Privacy Commissioner
Foodstuffs is hoping to bring retail crime down after a successful trial of live facial recognition technology. The Privacy Commissioner has deemed Foodstuffs…
- Best of Business
Ben Speedy: ASB's General Manager of Commercial Banking on businesses' uncertainty regarding the impact of Trump's tariffs
Kiwi business leaders fear the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs will be more severe than the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid pandemic. ASB…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on new data showing farmers are more satisfied with their banks
New data shows more Kiwi farmers are satisfied with their banks - pointing to improved communication and less 'undue pressure'. Federated Farmers’ latest…
- Best of Business
Steven Joyce: former Finance Minister on his new role on NZME's board
Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon and former Finance Minister, Steven Joyce, have won positions on integrated media company NZME's board. Board positions were…
- Best of Business
Julien Leys: Building Industry Federation chief executive on the downturn impacting the construction sector
The downturn in construction continues. The Post is reporting almost a third of all business liquidations are construction companies - up from a quarter in…
- Best of Business
Warwick Brown: Kiwi chef on the benefits and drawbacks of the industry
The ongoing economic downturn has sparked discussion about the best kinds of careers to take on. The hospitality sector comes with plenty of benefits and…
- Best of Business
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on signs of recovery in the region, WorkSafe changes
Leeann Watson, CEO of Business Canterbury, joined John MacDonald to give a quarterly update. Are we seeing signs of recovery in Canterbury? What would a…
- Best of Business
Brendan Lindsay: Sistema founder on being appointed a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
The founder of plastics storage container business Sistema Plastics Brendan Lindsay has been appointed a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Donald Trump's tariffs being blocked by US federal court
A US federal court's blocked Donald Trump's global tariffs from going into effect - ruling the President overstepped his authority. The Court of International…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Fonterra's cautious optimism about the farmgate milk price payout
Fonterra is being cautiously upbeat about the future. The dairy co-op is forecasting a $10 farmgate milk price payout for the current season, and an earnings…
- Best of Business
Don Braid: Mainfreight General Manager on the company's full year net profit going up a third on the previous year
Transport heavyweight Mainfreight has posted a solid full-year financial result, but international economic uncertainty is causing concerns. Annual net profit…
- Best of Business
Remy Morgan: Milford Asset Management spokesperson on the market reactions to the latest OCR cut
The Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent. The markets had already priced a rates cut in - but there was some uncertainty…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank's OCR statement
The Reserve Bank delivered their quarterly update on the OCR - but there was a hawkish undertone this time round, according to experts. The central bank cut…
- Best of Business
Mark Beder: Spark New Zealand customer director for enterprise and government explains private 5G warehouse project
Some complex airline problems might be solved with another type of aircraft now operating in an Auckland warehouse. Air New Zealand has teamed up with Spark…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: There's a gloomy note in the Reserve Bank decision
I don't really want to have to start on a bum note, but if there is a thing that we do on the show, it's honesty. So let's be honest about it. What the Reserve…
- Best of Business
Dame Joan Withers: The Warehouse Group Chair on the company getting a new CEO
The Warehouse Group has appointed a new CEO after a lengthy search to fill the role. Mark Stirton, who joined the company in April last year, will head the…
- Best of Business
Roger Wyllie: Capitol Cinema co-owner on movie theatres taking a revenue hit
There's hopes poor financial results don't spell the final act for cinemas. Revenue dropped for all the Hoyts, Reading and Event Cinemas chains in 2024…
- Best of Business
Hailey Ashton: hairdresser on the Government's plan to scrap older hairdressers' regulations
A hairdresser says the industry has lots of 'silly little rules'. Cabinet has agreed to all the Ministry for Regulation's recommendations - allowing drinks and…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist weighs in on latest OCR cut
The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee revealed it failed to reach a consensus today - before they voted to cut the OCR 25 basis points to 3.25 percent…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of latest Reserve Bank OCR decision
All eyes will be on the Reserve Bank tomorrow afternoon, when stand-in Reserve Bank Governor Christian Hawkesby delivers the bank's latest monetary policy…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the future of superannuation
The 2025 Budget has come and gone, but the Finance Minister has confirmed raising the superannuation age was still on National’s radar after they campaigned on…
- Best of Business
Jason Paris: One NZ chief executive on the new report revealing many Kiwis don't trust AI
The use of AI has become more widespread, with 77 percent of New Zealanders using it over the past year. Despite this, the new One NZ AI Trust Report found…
- Best of Business
Kate O'Brien: Air New Zealand general domestic manager on the airline introducing domestic jet service to Hamilton
Air New Zealand is bringing domestic jets back to Hamilton, for the first time in 25 years. Airbus A320 Jets will fly the airline's Hamilton-Christchurch route…
- Best of Business
Todd Hunter: Turners Automotive CEO on the company's record return
Despite the challenging economic conditions, Turners Automotive is standing strong. The company announced a record year to March, returning a profit of $38.6…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank chief economist ahead of the next OCR announcement
The Reserve Bank is set to make another Monetary Policy Statement on Wednesday, and experts have predicted another 25-basis-point cut. The cut, priced in by…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the market response to the new tariff threats
On Friday, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 50 percent tariffs on the EU from June 1 due to slow progress on discussion. He also threatened to…
- Best of Business
Business Panel: O-Studio founder Kate Twigg and Glide Media director Lukas Halikias
They are two industries experiencing massive growth; social media management and health and wellness. But why would you set up a new business in tough economic…
- Best of Business
Ryan Bridge: We need more of a heads up on Kiwisaver
KiwiSaver. I was thinking about this at the weekend. I get why the government is doing the old switcharoo. I get it. Means test the government sweet we, halve…
- Best of Business
Lisa Dudson: finance expert on the Government's new changes to KiwiSaver
In a bid to boost Kiwis' retirement savings, the Government is increasing the default KiwiSaver contribution rate to 3.5 percent next year and then 4 percent…
- Best of Business
Peter Lewis: Asia Business Correspondent on the impact of the trade war on China
The first real indicator of the impact of the trade war is coming out of China. The country cut their key lending rates by 10 basis points on Tuesday in an…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the KiwiSaver changes included in Budget 2025
An increase in default KiwiSaver contribution rates announced in Thursday's Budget could leave some households better off for retirement - but experts warn not…
- Best of Business
Bruce Aitken: former CEO and president of Methanex voices support for Government's plan to invest more into gas
The Government's bid to bring hope back to New Zealand's gas sector has been met with approval from industry experts. In the Budget, the Government said it…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister unpacks cost-cutting measures as part of Budget 2025
The Finance Minister says refusing unemployment benefits to teenagers is about helping parents. This Budget makes 18 and 19-year-olds ineligible for JobSeeker…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO ahead of Budget 2025
The country's soon going to see if the Government will stay true to its proclaimed 'year of growth'. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from…
- Best of Business
Katherine Rich: Business NZ CEO on the potential changes to the KiwiSaver scheme, Budget 2025
A promise today's budget will deliver real growth for the economy. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her 'No BS Budget', claiming…
- Best of Business
Viv Beck: Heart of the City CEO on the closure of Auckland's Smith & Caughey's
Smith and Caughey's closure indicates what needs to change in Auckland's CBD The city's most iconic department store is closing its doors after 145-years, with…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor ahead of the release of Budget 2025
Budget 2025 is set to be revealed to the nation tomorrow - and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has promised it will be a “No BS Budget” with “some surprises”…