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
Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent on Prime Minister Chris Luxon telling public servants to stop working from home
Working from home is not an entitlement, it's an agreement. That's the Prime Minister's message to public servants today, claiming routines begun during Covid…
- Best of Business
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the launch of the new Mānawa Bay outlet mall
Travellers and companions with time to spare will have opportunity to explore the new shopping mall opening right by Auckland Airport this week. The new…
- Best of Business
Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald deputy political editor on the Government's plan to axe and replace the RMA
There's hope a new-look Resource Management Act will make building easier for Kiwis. Minister Chris Bishop's revealed two laws will replace the old system -…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates
The US Federal Reserve surprised economists with its first interest rate cut in four years. Rates have gone down by 0.5 percent to about 4.8 percent - a…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on GDP dropping 0.2 percent for the second quarter of 2024
Experts say today's GDP figures paint a dire picture of our economy - and it's unlikely things will recover right away. New data shows GDP dropped 0.2 percent…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank economist on New Zealand's GDP dropping 0.2 percent
One expert says today's GDP figures paint a bleak picture of the economy - but there's light at the end of the tunnel. Stats NZ revealed this morning a 0.2…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Australia's unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2 percent
Australia's national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 percent in August. The number of employed people grew by 47,500, and the number of unemployed people…
- Best of Business
Matt Bain: Spark Head of Data explains why Kiwi businesses are reluctant to use AI
New reports confirm at least 68 percent of small and medium Kiwi businesses currently have no plans to use AI. Data from NZIER's Quarterly Survey of Business…
- Best of Business
Oliver Mander: NZ Shareholders Association CEO on Synlait's biggest shareholders rescuing the company
Synlait's two biggest shareholders have brought it back from the brink. Shareholders today approved a $218 million capital injection from Bright Dairy and A2…
- Best of Business
Satish Ranchhod: Westpac senior economist on consumer confidence picking up
Consumer confidence has picked up in recent months - but there's still concerns about the future from some. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence…
- Best of Business
Parul Sood: Auckland Council waste solutions general manager says Oji Fibre Solutions won't affect kerbside recycling
There's concerns about how the closure of a South Auckland paper mill will affect kerbside recycling. Oji Fibre Solutions will shut up just a week before…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist predicts what upcoming GDP result says about economy
The soon-to-be-released GDP figures for Q2 will give experts an outline of the state of the economy. Economists predict the economy will have contracted again…
- Best of Business
Malcolm Fleming: New Zealand Certified Builders Chief Executive on the study claiming insulation requirements add little to building costs
New research claims the costs of adding improved insulation onto Kiwi homes is far lower than initially reported. Earlier in the year, Minister Chris Penk…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the future of the Murdoch family dynasty playing out in court
A probate court in Nevada has begun reviewing evidence to determine who gets to control Rupert Murdoch's media empire after his death. Evidentiary hearings in…
- Best of Business
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations Minister on the Government's plan to clarify gig workers and contractor criteria in new law
The Government's proposing new criteria to define who's a contractor and who's an employee. 'Contractors' will need to have signed a contract, stating they're…
- Best of Business
Greig Epps: Imported Motor Vehicle Industry CEO on the drop in EV sales in New Zealand
The New Zealand electric vehicle market has run out of charge. New Motor Industry Association data shows just one in eleven new vehicle sales are electric…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on chocolate and olive oil pushing up food price inflation for August
Chocolate, olive oil, butter and takeaway meals have been blamed for pushing up food price inflation in August, according to new reports. Fresh fruit and…
- Best of Business
Grant Porteous: G.J. Gardner higher-up on the company's plan to grow the franchise by 30 percent
G.J. Gardner, New Zealand’s largest franchised group house-building business and biggest residential builder, is planning to expand further. The business is…
- Best of Business
Josh Eoraki: Stardome astronomer ahead of the first all-civilian private spacewalk
The stage is set for the first ever all-civilian commercial spacewalk. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, alongside a a pair of SpaceX engineers and a former…
- Best of Business
Shayne Currie: NZME editor-at-large on Google threatening to pull out of New Zealand over Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill
Tech giant Google is being accused of playing hardball with the Government and media companies over the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. The bill would force…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the UK economy flatlining again in July
The UK economy unexpectedly failed to grow in July, after flatlining in June, for the second month in a row. Analysts had originally forecasted a slight growth…
- Best of Business
Deborah Lambie: Milford Asset Management analyst on how investors plan to respond to demographic shift
As birth-rates decline and the population gets older, investors are grappling with a new set of challenges. Recent data indicates the proportion of Kiwis over…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on David Seymour removing regulations for buy now, pay later sector
The Government has confirmed buy now, pay later providers will be able to charge whatever fees they want going forward. Cabinet has agreed to remove some…
- Best of Business
Mike Fuge: Contact Energy CEO on the company merging with Manawa Energy
Contact Energy has confirmed it reached an agreement to take over electricity generator Manawa Energy in a near $2.3-billion merger. Contact would pay a…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the tough economic climate impacting Kiwi sheep farmers
Kiwi sheep famers will have to brace themselves for another tough earnings season. Beef and Lamb New Zealand’s new season outlook says farm profit margins were…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the economic impact of Winstone Pulp International closing Ruapehu mills
The Ruapehu district has been dealt a huge blow - as Winstone Pulp International confirms it will close the two mills in the region. Over 230 workers will lose…
- Best of Business
Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group managing director on the rise in online shopping outlets charging for returns
Experts believe a changing retail market and the evolution of influencers have forced online companies to make some changes. British e-retailer ASOS has…
- Best of Business
Stuart Nash: Robert Walters Commercial Director on the benefits of 'chrono-working'
'Chrono-working' could be the next employment fad to wash up in Aotearoa. It lets workers choose their hours dictated by their circadian rhythm, instead of the…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: We're justified in feeling gloomy about the state of NZ
Pattrick Smellie, who has been a regular contributor to this show, is back from his long European sabbatical - and he reckons we need to cheer up in New…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the US share markets dropping
Volatility has returned to US markets, with a significant drop on Friday. Weak employment data saw markets price in larger cuts to US official interest rates…
- Best of Business
Nicola Waldren: Restaurant Association NZ General Manger on Auckland restaurants closing earlier than anywhere else in the world
New research has revealed Auckland eateries have the earliest closing times in the world. According to international food magazine Chef’s Pencil, it's unusual…
- Best of Business
Megan Singleton: Bloggeratlarge writer on the international responses to the increased tourism levy
New data reveals prospective visitors to New Zealand are in favour of paying a higher levy to come in. The Government recently announced it plans to lift the…
- Best of Business
David Seymour: Regulation Minister on the new report calling for tougher regulations for the grocery sector
Regulation Minister David Seymour agrees Kiwis are struggling with current grocery prices - but doesn't think tighter regulations are the solution. The Grocery…
- Best of Business
Dougal Sutherland: Is the UK's 4-day working week really a good thing?
On the face of it the 4-day working week sounds like a good thing, but the devil is in the detail. Recently in the UK the government has indicated they may…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the state of the US housing market
The US housing market has been undergoing an unusual period. Various aspects of the sector have been found to be running at different speeds - with new builds…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on oil prices slumping to their lowest level all year
Global financial market turmoil overnight has come with a silver lining for motorists as oil prices have slumped to their lowest level this year. Cheaper…
- Best of Business
Dr Rob Hales: Griffith Business School associate professor on the rise in corporations ditching their climate targets
There's been a growing uptick in corporations ditching their green ambitions. Volvo Cars has abandoned its ambitious target to sell only electric cars by 2030…
- Best of Business
Maria Slade: BusinessDesk reporter on the release of the receiver's report into Du Val group
PwC has identified accounting irregularities, complexities and a lack of auditing at failed Auckland property development group, Du Val. This first receiver's…
- Best of Business
Chris Luxon: Prime Minister on receiving support from Elon Musk
The Prime Minister's welcoming support from a billionaire admirer. Elon Musk replied to a tweet by Chris Luxon this week - about being in Malaysia. The founder…
- Best of Business
Nick Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the outlook of the latest ASB Housing Confidence survey
A new survey by ASB indicates Kiwis aren't expecting house prices to pick up again anytime soon. According to ASB's Housing Confidence survey, a net 13 percent…
- Best of Business
Stephanie Batchelor: Milford Asset Management Analyst on the 'fallen angels' in the US markets
The US market is up almost 20 percent on the year - but big names like Starbucks, Nike, and Lululemon have been struggling. The consumer discretionary sector…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on depositors rushing to take advantage of high interest rates
Savers have rushed to lock in high interest rates ahead of the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR for the first time in more than four years. New RBNZ data shows…
- Best of Business
Andrew Bayly: Commerce Minister outlines solutions to boost competition in supermarket sector
The Commerce Minister says a third big player in our supermarket sector is unlikely to come from overseas. A first annual Commerce Commission report on the…
- Best of Business
Pierre van Heerden: Grocery Commissioner on the Commerce Commission's annual report criticising lack of competition in the sector
The Grocery Commissioner says the returns our big supermarkets get on assets is about double what overseas equivalents make. The Commerce Commission's first…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of Australia's GDP announcement
Australia's GDP data is set to be released tomorrow - and experts are outlining their predictions. This follows last week's inflation data, which is currently…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the possibility of near-record farm gate milk price this season
Growing global demand for dairy products and a flat milk supply could be setting the stage for a near-record farm gate milk price this season. With nine months…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist unpacks how chief financial officers feel about New Zealand's business outlook
New Zealand's chief financial officers have revealed their thoughts in a first of its kind survey. Hunter Campbell's report reveals 42 percent expect…
- Best of Business
Miles Hurrell: Fonterra chief executive on the company's new Southland plant
Fonterra is set to invest $150 million to build a new plant at its Edendale site in Southland to meet growing demand from Asia. The plant will produce UHT…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO blames IRD methods for uptick in business closures
Inland Revenue is being asked not to seesaw on its stance, with rising liquidations across the country. Centrix's July figures reveal business liquidations are…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: I don't think now's the time for a higher tourist levy
Today, the Government has done the thing that the tourism industry was hoping they wouldn't do and increased the visitor levy - the amount that tourists pay to…
- Best of Business
Sir Ian Taylor: Kiwi entrepreneur wants to explore commercial viability of new museum on Auckland's waterfront
A New Zealand entrepreneur and former Waitakere City Mayor are getting behind a waka-shaped museum on Auckland's waterfront. Sirs Ian Taylor and Bob Harvey say…
- Best of Business
Dean Hamilton: Ryman Healthcare executive chair defends price hikes and job cuts
Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare is raising prices and slowing down construction efforts to repair its financial holes. The company has raised its…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on financial markets pricing in interest rate cuts
Markets around the world are pricing in potential cuts to interest rates. Last Friday saw PCE inflation in the US rise 0.2 percent over the month to be up 2.6…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Banks - The perceived problem vs what's actually happening
With the news last week that a lot of people are changing banks as they re-finance their mortgages, we once again ask ourselves whether the problem we think we…
- Best of Business
Business Panel: Kaffee Eis owner Karl Tiefenbacher and Mills Albert founding director Dave Mills
Business confidence has hit a ten-year high according to ANZ's latest survey - but are businesses in Wellington feeling as confident as those in other parts of…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the growing market interest in humanoids
There's growing market interest in humanoids - robots and robotic technology designed to mimic humans. New improvements in technology have opened up room for…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on how New Zealand can restart a 'rockstar economy'
Ten years ago, New Zealand had a 'rockstar economy' according to experts. In 2014, New Zealand's GDP growth turned out to be among the strongest across the…
- Best of Business
Greg Foran: Air New Zealand CEO on the airline's profit and earnings falling over 60 percent
Air New Zealand's CEO isn't holding back his frustration about the issues plaguing some of its engines. The airline's earnings, underlying profit, and net…
- Best of Business
Melanie Spencer: Thompson Spencer co-founder and CEO on the new data revealing what Kiwi influencers really earn
Many people dream of becoming social media influencers - but the reality is a lot less glamorous. According to new data from the IRD, only 60 people in New…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management Equities Analyst on Air New Zealand's financial year results
Air New Zealand's financial results are out tomorrow - and hopes aren't flying particularly high. The airline has been hit with plane engine troubles…