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
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the uptick in mortgage holders switching banks
Elevated interest rates have encouraged mortgage holders to switch banks at a record rate. The value of mortgages refinanced by a new bank climbed to $1.75…
- Best of Business
Neal Barclay: Meridian CEO on the company's profit reaching $429 million
Meridian Energy - the country’s largest power generator - has reported strong earnings in the June year, but warns the year ahead looks challenging. The…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host ahead of Fonterra's big announcement
Sources claim dairy giant Fonterra is set to make a big announcement tomorrow. This follows the company predicting a 50 percent increase to the milk forecast…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the OECD Secretary-General visiting New Zealand for the first time
The Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, has made his first official visit to New Zealand. Trade Minister Todd McClay welcomed him to Wellington…
- Best of Business
Michael Boggs: NZME chief executive on the tough trading environment impacting the media sector
New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) says its first-half revenue was slightly up on the year before, despite a tough trading environment. The media group…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the US potentially cutting interest rates
US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has hinted interest rate cuts could be coming from September. In a recent address, Powell indicated upside risks to…
- Best of Business
Barb Hyman: Sapia.ai chief executive on the increased usage of AI in job recruitment
More and more businesses have begun utilising AI for recruiting staff - and jobseekers have concerns. Spark, Kmart and Woolworths all use Sapia.ai software to…
- Best of Business
Dennis Maga: First Union General Secretary on what the ruling against Uber means for other contractors
There's hopes a ruling against Uber could help empower other contractors. The Court of Appeal has ruled four Uber drivers are employees, not contractors. Uber…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the turbulent outlook for 2024
Market experts are convinced 2024 will conclude with a soft economic landing. This contradicts initial predictions that a global recession would disrupt…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on dairy prices bouncing back after latest GDT auction
Prices have bounced back in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction - with an impressive 5.5 percent increase across the board. The sixth event of the new dairy…
- Best of Business
Anne Gibson: NZ Herald property editor on Du Val Group being placed into statutory management
The Government has moved on Auckland apartment developer Du Val Group, taking the rare step of placing it in statutory management. The move follows the group…
- Best of Business
Steve Jurkovich: Kiwibank CEO on the bank's 15 percent rise in net profit
Kiwibank's net profit increased 15 percent - and it says it is fulfilling its role as a disruptor. The state-owned bank brought in $202 million and grew its…
- Best of Business
Neal Barclay: Meridian CEO hopeful rain will take the strain off New Zealand's power pressures
An energy boss says predicted rain will take the strain off New Zealand's power supply. Winstone Pulp plans to close its central North Island pulp and saw…
- Best of Business
Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on Jetstar facing a class action lawsuit
Jetstar is on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit over its decision to hand out travel vouchers to customers who were impacted by the Covid-19…
- Best of Business
Simon Thwaites: Silvermoon owner on repurchasing the business, plans to open new stores in Christchurch
There’s a belief jewellery store Silvermoon will shine bright again. Simon Thwaites has bought the business again after selling it in 2017, after the new owner…
- Best of Business
Sam Trethewey: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on Fletcher Building reporting a multi-million dollar net loss
A grim warning from New Zealand's largest construction company. Fletcher Building is reporting a group net-loss-after-tax of $227 million dollars, following a…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Commerce Commission's suggestions to improve banking competition
The Commerce Commission has detailed several potential changes in a new 389-page report designed to improve competition in the banking sector. One change…
- Best of Business
Sophie Moloney: chief executive on Sky TV's 3.7 percent drop in net after-tax profit
Sky TV is recording a 3.7 percent drop in net after-tax profit, with its customer base at the lowest level in five years. The provider says it's dealing with…
- Best of Business
Amanda Whiting: IAG chief executive on the company reporting a tenfold increase in insurance profit
IAG, the country's largest insurer, has reported a significant increase in insurance profit in the 12 months to the end of June. The company, which owns the…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR by 25 basis points
Homeowners have been able to breathe a sigh of relief following the Reserve Bank's decision to cut the OCR. The cash rate was cut by 25 basis points after…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on REINZ saying there's green shoots in the housing market
There's green shoots returning to the housing market, according to the Real Estate Institute. REINZ data shows the volume of sales rose 14.5 percent…
- Best of Business
Vince Hawksworth: Mercury Energy CEO on the company reporting a 159 percent annual net profit increase
Mercury Energy has lifted its net profit by 159 percent in the June year to $290 million. The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: I'm not convinced the Commerce Commission study will lead anywhere
For once, we have a Commerce Commission study that isn’t going nowhere. Nicola Willis says she's going to do what the Commerce Commission has recommended in…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on her plan to inject competition into the banking sector
The Finance Minister aims to put an end to the 'cosy pillow fight' between banks and bolster sector competition. A Commerce Commission report has found that…
- Best of Business
Mark Troughear: Freightways CEO on the company reporting a decrease in net profits
Logistics and courier company Freightways has recorded a 5.8 percent decrease in net profit after weathering what its leaders believe to be the worst of the…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on BNZ's performance of services index staying below 50
BNZ’s performance of services index - which measures sentiment across services firms - was up 3.9 points to 44.6 in July from a rock-bottom level of 40.7 in…
- Best of Business
Andrew Dickens: Can we really say the rock star economy is back?
The corner has been turned. The 5-year pandemic pandemonium has been tamed. Inflation is down and we've had the first interest rate cut since the Reserve Bank…
- Best of Business
Andrew Bayly: Commerce Minister on the incoming changes to the Companies Act
Balancing directors' safety and accountability is the goal of the Commerce Minister's shake up of the Companies Act. Andrew Bayly is looking to make it harder…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the decline in interest in the Metaverse
A few years ago, the Metaverse was the biggest talking point in the world of technology. Meanwhile in 2024, the virtual platform has declined in popularity and…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on food prices going up 0.6 percent in the year to July
New data from has confirmed food prices are up - but not as much as predicted. Stats NZ reports show food prices have increased by 0.6 percent in the 12 months…
- Best of Business
Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy on the Government's new visa scheme for seasonal workers
The Government has announced a new immigration pathway for essential seasonal workers. It has created a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa - to…
- Best of Business
Katlyn Parker: Milford Asset Management analyst on the market response to the OCR cut
Several Kiwi businesses have expressed relief as the Reserve Bank announces cuts to the OCR. The cash rate has been dropped 25 basis points to 5.25 percent -…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR for the first time since 2020
There's shock and excitement across the nation, as the Reserve Bank makes cuts to the OCR for the first time since 2020. The Bank's slashed the cash rate by 25…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent on the impact of the latest OCR cut
The Reserve Bank says several factors are driving down inflation. It's cut the Official Cash Rate to 5.25 percent, saying it's now confident inflation is…
- Best of Business
Vittoria Short: ASB Chief Executive on the bank's full-year profit falling amid easing cash rate
ASB is welcoming the news that the Reserve Bank has cut the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points. This comes after the bank's run of record annual profits…
- Best of Business
Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the Reserve Bank cutting the cash rate by 25 basis points
It's the start of a significant turnaround for the economy - as the Reserve Bank slashes the OCR for the first time since 2020. It's dropped the cash rate…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate
It's the news many have been hoping for. The Reserve Bank has cut the Official Cash Rate 25 basis points, from 5.5% to 5.25%. It says business surveys and…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist ahead of tomorrow's OCR update (1)
The Reserve Bank is set to issue their latest OCR update tomorrow - and experts are divided about the outcome. Some economists are predicting rate cuts will…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on markets pricing in rate cuts ahead of OCR update
The Reserve Bank is set to make a call on the Official Cash Rate this week, and experts are feeling hopeful. While economists are divided on the outcome…
- Best of Business
Matt Duder: EBoss managing director on the new data showing significant percentage of builders have grim outlook for the year
Nearly three-quarters of builders think the industry is in for another tough financial year, according to new data. 650 Kiwi builders were consulted in a new…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the state of the market after a turbulent week
After a turbulent week for financial markets - have things bounced back? Japan's stocks have rebounded after their crash, but there's mixed results from around…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on ASB predicting OCR will cut rates next week
ASB has made a surprise call ahead of next week's OCR announcement. The bank is predicting the Reserve Bank will cut rates in the coming days - a sooner…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Devon Funds Head of Retail on Allbirds posting a multi-million dollar net loss
There's bad news for a former darling of the footwear world. Kiwi shoe company Allbirds, co-founded by former All White Tim Brown, has posted a net loss of $19…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Qantas slashing former CEO's exit paycheck
Australian airline Qantas has slashed former CEO Alan Joyce's exit package, following a stint of costly scandals and legal cases. The $21.4m payout Joyce was…
- Best of Business
Deborah Lambie: Milford Asset Management analyst on Uber's shares going up by 11 percent
Rideshare giant Uber has reported its second quarter result - and shares were up +11 percent. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the company is in a position to keep…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the widespread payroll issue impacting 40,000 McDonald’s staff
Around 40,000 McDonald’s staff are likely to be compensated, as the fast-food chain corrects a widespread payroll issue dating back 15 years. McDonald’s is…
- Best of Business
Joe Gallagher: E tū Union negotiation specialist on the proposed closure of major Auckland pulp mill
There's belief a major Auckland pulp mill proposing closure could be the first of many. Oji Fibre Solutions is consulting with its 75 Penrose staff, citing a…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank Chief Economist on the unemployment rate reaching 4.6 percent
Kiwibank's Chief Economist says unemployment will rise for another year. Stats NZ figures out today show unemployment jumped to 4.6 percent in the June…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Australian Reserve Bank keeping the OCR in place
Australia's Reserve Bank has taken on a grim tone with today's OCR update - and warned rate cuts aren't on the horizon. The Bank considered hiking rates today…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the increase in banks dropping their interest rates
Three major New Zealand banks have slashed their rates ahead of next week's OCR review. Both Kiwibank and BNZ have urged the Reserve Bank to cut the cash rate…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host ahead of this latest GDT auction
There's another crucial Global Dairy Trade auction taking place tonight as a new season kicks into gear. Rabobank analyst Emma Higgins has predicted WMP and…
- Best of Business
Tony Caughey: Smith & Caughey’s chair on the company being saved from 2025 closure
Historic Auckland department store Smith & Caughey’s is living to fight another day. The 144 year old business announced in May it would close next year - but…
- Best of Business
Matt Goodson: Salt Funds Management expert on global markets stabilising after this morning's announcement
The Japanese market is clawing its way back, after an epic tumble overnight. Its Nikkei had a historic one-day drop - the first in a volatile chain of global…
- Best of Business
Nick Lane: Iconic Construction director on the company building the first 3D printed show home
One New Zealand based construction company is working on the country's first 3D printed show home. Iconic Construction has broken ground on the project - and…
- Best of Business
Sir John Key: former Prime Minister voices disapproval with the Government's Treaty Principles Bill
Sir John Key says he doesn't support the Government's controversial Treaty Principles Bill. It comes after calls from the former Prime Minster for the…
- Best of Business
Nick Leggett: Infrastructure New Zealand CEO voices concerns as City Rail Link costs blow out
There's serious concerns political bickering is ballooning the cost of New Zealand's major construction projects. The cost of Auckland's City Rail Link has…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on milk production increasing and milk prices decreasing in China
Increased development of large-scale dairy farms and falling feed prices have driven China’s raw milk production up - and the official price down. The current…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large ahead of next week's unemployment data being released
The latest unemployment figures are set to be released next week. Experts are predicting unemployment rates will go up - in order to slow down inflation. NZ…
- Best of Business
Paul Spain: tech commentator explains the latest Microsoft outage
Microsoft is investigating the scope of the damage after users reported issues with Microsoft 365 and Outlook services this morning. Monitoring website Down…
- Best of Business
Rod Duke: Briscoe Group Managing Director on the company posting record half year profits
Briscoe Group Limited has posted a near record net profit after tax of $84.2 million for the year ending January 28, 2024. The group, which runs both Briscoes…