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 Government's tax take surpassing expectations
The Government's tax take has surpassed Treasury’s expectations for the first time in a while. This positive result was found to have come from efforts to…
- Best of Business
Scott Pritchard: Precinct Properties chief executive confirms move into residential property through proposed Auckland CBD project
Precinct Properties plans to funnel over $300 million into housing in Auckland CBD. The company has announced it'll build student accommodation of 500 units on…
- Best of Business
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations and Safety Minister on the Government's plan to change the Holidays Act
The Government's drafting legislation to change the Holidays Act 2003, and will put it out for consultation in September. It'll include proposals to pro-rata…
- Best of Business
Peter Thompson: Barfoot & Thompson managing director on May property demand soaring to highest level since 2021
Auckland's largest real estate agency experienced a significant boost last month. Barfoot & Thompson's property sales for May were up 30 percent on April and…
- Best of Business
Stuart Davison: dairy insights consultant on Synlait confirming over 200 suppliers plan to leave
Struggling dairy processor Synlait has confirmed a significant majority of its farmer suppliers want to leave. The Canterbury-based organisation told…
- Best of Business
Rory Birkbeck: Safe Surfer CEO on the company striking a deal with Samsung to produce a kid-safe smartphone
As technology advances, more parents have their reservations about giving their children smartphones. The rise of violent or explicit content online and the…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Walmart, Target and Amazon introducing store-wide price cuts
Over in the US, a slew of big-box retailers have slashed prices across their stores. Walmart, Target and Amazon are among the big names bringing down their…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large unpacks the 2024 Budget
One expert says the 2024 Budget was never going to be transformational, amid everything working against it. The Government unveiled their Budget today, and…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister explains restrained approach behind tax package
The Finance Minister admits the Budget could have gone further on tax cuts, but it wouldn't have been responsible. Today's documents included the Government's…
- Best of Business
Robin Oliver: Principal of OliverShaw Tax Advisors says tax brackets haven't been moved enough in Budget 2024
Changes to tax thresholds will help deliver tax relief to three and a half million people from the end of July. Tax expert Robin Oliver says the brackets…
- Best of Business
Sam Trethewey: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on Mainfreight's financial performance
Global logistics company Mainfreight is still meeting investor expectations, despite suffering drops in profit. It's been revealed the company posted a 33 per…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank governor upping the ante against the major banks
Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has stepped up his verbal war against the big four banks. It's been revealed Orr sent a letter using 'colourful' language to…
- Best of Business
Miles Hurrell: Fonterra CEO explains the company's 'cautious' approach to upcoming dairy season
China's downturn and conflict in the Middle East remain front of mind for Fonterra. The dairy co-op is forecasting a Farmgate Milk Price midpoint of $8 next…
- Best of Business
Vhari McWha: Commerce Commission Commissioner on the predicted increase in electricity bills from new proposal
Households can expect to pay an extra $15 per month for their power bills if a Commerce Commission proposal is confirmed. The commission regulates prices and…
- Best of Business
Tony Caughey: Smith and Caughey's chair on the 'tough' decision to close their Auckland department stores
Flagship Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's will close down next year, after 144 years. This closure comes off the back of a 40 percent drop in…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist predicts what people can expect from proposed tax cuts
Ahead of Budget 2024, there's concern the proposed tax cuts will contribute to existing inflationary pressures. The Government has confirmed they plan to…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the possibility of the Reserve Bank introducing another rate hike
The Reserve Bank surprised economists by revealing they considered hiking the Official Cash Rate - and haven't ruled out further hikes either. Last week, the…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on what the 2024 Budget has in store for farmers
Ahead of Budget 2024, the rural community is holding out hope for improvement. The Government has promised more tax cuts, but it's been hinted plenty of cuts…
- Best of Business
Mark Wilkshire: Co-operative Bank CEO on the company's 10 percent full-year profit rise
One of New Zealand's smallest banks has posted significant earnings amid a boost in customers and lending. The Co-operative Bank today reported a 10 percent…
- Best of Business
Shane Henderson: Auckland stadium working group chair on the two stadium options set to be investigated
Auckland Council has moved one step closer to determining the future of the city's stadiums. Quay Park and Eden Park 2.0 are in the running, as both will be…
- Best of Business
Hilary Souter: Advertising Standards Authority Chief Executive celebrates 50 years of complaints
The Advertising Standards Authority released its latest annual report today - celebrating 50 years of complaints from the public. The medium has grown and…
- Best of Business
Duncan Webb: Labour MP calls for action against Wilson Parking over their use of consumer data
One Labour MP says Wilson Parking is abusing its rights - and wants the company's access to the personal information of customers revoked. Duncan Webb has…
- Best of Business
Bruce Sharrock: NZ Thoroughbred Racing chief executive on the report revealing industry contributes $1.3 billion to economy
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has embraced a report revealing the industry contributes over a billion dollars to the economy. In last year's season, almost…
- Best of Business
Jem Aswad: Variety Executive Music Editor on the US Department of Justice launching legal action against Ticketmaster and Live Nation
The United States Department of Justice is suing music promoter Live Nation - claiming it's using illegal tactics to hold a monopoly over live music. The…
- Best of Business
Claire Trevett: NZ Herald political editor previews Budget 2024
There's been plenty of speculation ahead of the upcoming 2024 Budget, to be released May 30. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister have promised…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on copper prices jumping up 25 percent
Copper prices have surged this year by 25 percent, according to new data. Copper has a broad level of demand, with plenty of industries relying on this…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Zespri's growers getting paid record prices for their kiwifruit
Kiwifruit producer Zespri’s profit has dropped 27 per cent but growers have been paid record prices for their output. Zespri reported a net profit after tax of…
- Best of Business
Patrick Phelps: Minerals West Coast manager on Minister Shane Jones' plan to cut mining barriers
Advocates and experts are supporting the resource minister's plan to cut barriers to mining. Shane Jones has outlined a draft strategy for the industry. He…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on UK inflation dropping to 2.3 percent
Over in the UK, inflation has dropped to 2.3 percent, the lowest in 3 years. It heaps pressure on the Bank of England to cut high interest rates - and gives…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management Equities Analyst on Gentrack's strong market performance
Experts say Gentrack is well placed to capture the opportunities created by changes to the utilities and airport sectors. A surging Gentrack gave the New…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank revealing they considered hiking the OCR
The Reserve Bank left the OCR unchanged today - but people may have to hold out for rate cuts. RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr revealed the bank considered hiking…
- Best of Business
Chris Bishop: Housing Minister on the Government's plan to scrap First Home Buyers Grant to fund social housing
The Government says scrapping the First Home Grant scheme is another example of tough decisions it has to make this Budget. It has also announced $140 million…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank economist warns there's a risk the OCR won't be cut until 2025
An economist says there's a risk the Reserve Bank won't cut the OCR until next year. It's kept the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 percent today, unchanged over a…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Fonterra's consumer brands experiencing uptick in demand
Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says his phone's been 'running hot' following last week’s announcement. Fonterra plans to divest its consumer businesses, including…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist ahead of tomorrow's OCR update
All eyes are on the Reserve Bank, ahead of tomorrow's OCR update. The RBNZ is predicted to hold the cash rate steady at 5.5 percent - potentially marking a…
- Best of Business
Andy Bowley: Forsyth Barr Head of Research on SkyCity being forced to pay multi-million dollar penalty for breaches
SkyCity will pay more than $4 million for breaching obligations to prevent money laundering and terrorism. A Department of Internal Affairs review found…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong issuing a warning to the nation about joining AUKUS
Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong has issued a warning to New Zealand over the prospect of joining AUKUS. In a speech delivered to the China Business Summit in…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister aims to address the country's current structural deficit in Budget 2024
The Finance Minster says credit agencies are still looking favourably on New Zealand, despite high debt levels. Treasury told the Government it was running a…
- Best of Business
Joan Withers: Warehouse Group Board Chair on the company's new direction after CEO stepped down
There's hopes a new boss will bring fresh energy to the struggling Warehouse Group. Independent non-executive director John Journee has been appointed interim…
- Best of Business
Chris Bishop: Housing Minister on the multi-year shake up planned for Kāinga Ora after new review
The Housing Minister has responded to the 'mismanagement' impacting Kāinga Ora - and enacted some changes. A high-level review of the agency has revealed it's…
- Best of Business
Business Panel: Brezelmania's Tony Parun and Capital's Aimie Hines on migration, parking and insurance costs
How is the exodus of a record number of Kiwi citizens affecting businesses, and is 24/7 parking for Wellington CBD a good idea? Those were the questions for…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Zespri being forced to destroy over one million trays of kiwifruit because of mice
Over one million trays of kiwifruit found on a Zespri shipment with a mouse infestation will be destroyed. After mice were found on the company's first…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on ASB being the latest major bank to drop mortgage interest rates
ASB is the latest major New Zealand bank to drop their mortgage interest rates for three and four year terms. This follows BNZ and Kiwibank bringing down their…
- Best of Business
Anne Thomas: daughter of woman bumped off Air New Zealand flight to Auckland
One Nelson woman is the latest to express disappointment with Air New Zealand's conduct. On April 29, Kerstin Zdzieblik was bumped off her afternoon flight to…
- Best of Business
Jacqueline Rowarth: Lincoln University Adjunct Professor on Fonterra's plan to sell Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti and other key brands
There's uncertainty around Fonterra's plan to sell well-known brand Anchor. The diary giant has signalled its intent to divest some or all of its global…
- Best of Business
Sam Stubbs: Simplicity CEO on whether mortgage advisors need more regulation
There's growing debate mortgage advisors need more regulation - alongside a Commerce Commission bid to make it easier to take out a home loan. Discussions at a…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: It's D-day for the Te Huia train service
Well, it’s D-day for Te Huia. Today's the day that NZTA has met and has decided whether or not to keep funding the train past the end of June. Unless NZTA…
- Best of Business
Mark Riggall: Milford Asset Management portfolio manager on Fletcher Building's stock dropping by 15 percent
Poor trading conditions, intense price competition and lower building product sales have prompted Fletcher Building to downgrade its profit forecast. The…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank's balance sheet quadrupling over five-year period
Ahead of the May Budget, experts have noticed the Reserve Bank's balance sheet has grown over the years. The value of assets held by the RBNZ has has…
- Best of Business
Julian Benefield: Foodstuffs North Island general counsel on the doubling of retail crime across stores
Foodstuffs is raising the alarm about an increase in retail crime throughout their stores. New data shows over 5000 incidents were reported in the first…
- Best of Business
Marisa Bidois: Restaurant Association CEO calls for inquiry into Auckland Transport parking debacle
The Restaurant Association has voiced disappointment with Auckland Transport's move to charge for parking. AT will delay their 24/7 parking fees in the CBD…
- Best of Business
Mark Donaghue: WorkSafe Principal Inspector on the uptick in workplace incidents around unsafe machinery
WorkSafe's calling for businesses to boost safety standards as more workers lose fingers on unsafe machinery. The courts have issued more than half a million…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: The NSW Government is coming for our Kiwi cops
We've got to talk about the brain drain that’s going on. Today, the NSW Government has announced it is going to come for our Kiwi cops. It's got a shortage of…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Australia banning live sheep exports from May 2028
The Australian Government has opted to ban live sheep exports from 2028 onward, a move that has farmers disappointed. The Government as promised a $107 million…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist ahead of Australia's 2024 Budget
Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to deliver the 2024 Budget tonight, and economists are raising their eyebrows at some promises. The reworked stage 3…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the record number of Kiwis leaving New Zealand
A record number of New Zealanders have left the country, according to new data. Stats NZ says the nation had a net migration loss of over 52,500 citizens in…
- Best of Business
Kirstin Corson: Drive Electric Chair on President Joe Biden creating new tariffs for Chinese EVs
Over in the US, President Joe Biden is set to announce new 100 percent tariffs for Chinese EVs. This is the latest bid from the Biden administration to keep…
- Best of Business
Matt Johns: Pōkeno Whisky founder on the company winning several awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards
One New Zealand-based whisky producer has walked away from the San Francisco World Spirits Awards with an impressive haul. Pōkeno Whisky brought home two…
- Best of Business
Mark Richardson: The Block NZ host on the show's next season being scrapped
Four Auckland townhouses are on the market, as The Block NZ joins the local television scrap heap. The Brown's Bay homes were nearly ready for contestants on…
- Best of Business
Matt Cowley: Tauranga Business Chamber Chief Executive on the organisation's priorities for council candidates
Tauranga Businesses have released their key priorities for prospective council candidates. The city is having elections in July after being under the control…