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
Rod Oram: Business commentator on Wellington councillors voting to increase housing density
Wellington councillors have voted to increase housing density in the city. It will also strip some housing character protections, and increase the amount of…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister says they want to work with businesses to get the country moving again
Nicola Willis is expected to reveal more details about the Government's fiscal situation today, as she continues preparations for May's budget. The Finance…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on immigration figures continuing to soar
The immigration boom is showing no signs of abating. Latest figures from Stats NZ show 133,800 more people entered the country than left in the year to…
- Best of Business
Philip Gregan: NZ Wine Chief Executive on China ending tariffs on Australian wine exporters
Relief in sight for Australian winemakers, as China proposes ending crippling tariffs in exchange for suspending a dispute lodged with the WTO. These tariffs…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on food price inflation dropping to lowest point since 2021
There's encouraging signs for food prices as the ongoing fight against inflation continues. Stats NZ data for February shows overall food price inflation is at…
- Best of Business
Mark Riggall: Milford Asset Management portfolio manager recaps US inflation data
Inflation in the US is running hotter and faster than predicted, according to new data. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.2- a far cry from…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the backlash to proposed new deposit insurance scheme
The Reserve Bank and Treasury are designing a new deposit insurance scheme. However, Credit unions, building societies and finance companies have voiced…
- Best of Business
Rod Duke: Briscoes Managing Director on the company's full year results
Briscoes has managed to withstand strong economic headwinds and deliver a strong profit. The company announced a net profit after tax of $84.2 million for the…
- Best of Business
Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy on businesses' responses to the proposed changes to the Holidays Act
Businesses hope the Government will bring change to the Holidays Act. Brooke van Velden has laid out her agenda with a focus on regulations around contractors…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on sheep and beef farm profits potentially plummeting this financial year
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s mid-season update offers a grim warning for sheep and beef farmers. The report claims farm profits could drop 54 percent to $62,600…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the Climate Change Commission's recommendations for future carbon auctions
The Climate Change Commission has recommended reducing the number of carbon credits ahead of future auctions. After a full year of failed auctions, the…
- Best of Business
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales Managing Director on the uptick of 'corporate refugees' looking to own their own businesses
Demand from aspiring business owners has shot up to record levels, according to new data. Enquiries are up 50 percent from last year, many coming from…
- Best of Business
Leanne Geraghty: Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer on the airline pausing flights between Auckland and Chicago
Air New Zealand is suspending Auckland to Chicago services due to ongoing issues with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines used in…
- Best of Business
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on India establishing a Free Trade Agreement with four nations in Europe
India has established a Free Trade Agreement with four European nations. The nation will lift most tariffs for Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Freedom Furniture posting a multi-million dollar loss
Freedom Furniture has posted a $9 million dollar loss, and is relying on Australian owner Greenlit Brands to support them financially. The furniture and…
- Best of Business
Paul Spain: tech commentator on TikTok potentially being banned in the United States
Over in the US, some proposed new legislation is putting TikTok back in the spotlight. The new bill would force the app's partner company ByteDance to sell…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister addresses the problems in New Zealand's media sector
The Finance Minister says the Government's thinking about what to do about problems in the media sector. In the past few weeks there's been proposals made…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on his new business industry guide BBQ Economics
Veteran business journalist Liam Dann aims to educate readers about business, money and the economy in his new guide- 'BBQ Economics'. The book is designed to…
- Best of Business
Francesca Rudkin: Hopefully this is a wake-up call for media
The upheaval within the television industry continued this week, with TVNZ announcing cuts to its news and current affairs department on Friday. It’s not just…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the petition to keep the live animal exports ban in place
A petition urging the Government to keep the ban on live animal exports in place is gaining traction. Despite the Government promising to repeal the ban during…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on his new book BBQ Economics
Financial journalism veteran Liam Dann aims to guide New Zealanders through the business world using familiar Kiwi terms. BBQ Economics examines everything…
- Best of Business
Jill Brinsdon: brand strategist explains the mysterious takeover of Temu
Chinese e-commerce firm Temu has been taking the world of online retail by storm. The retailer's 'shop like a billionaire' campaign reflects their…
- Best of Business
Glenn Starr: Ventus Energy CEO hopes fast-tracked consents will lead to more windfarms and cheaper electricity
There's hope that the Government's plan to fast-track consents will speed up the production of independently created windfarms- eventually leading to cheaper…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the Reserve Bank of Australia potentially going too hard to reduce inflation
There's growing concern Australia's Reserve Bank may have gone too far to reduce inflation. The RBA infamously pushed the Official Cash Rate up 13 times in a…
- Best of Business
Troy Clarry: Hospitality New Zealand Accommodation Chair welcomes proposed changes to emergency housing
The motel sector is welcoming the Government's new priority one emergency housing policies. Families with children living in emergency motels are being pushed…
- Best of Business
Shane Jones: Minister for Regional Economic Development on the Government's fast-track approval scheme
The Government has promised bigger projects will be built faster and more cost-effectively under their fast-track approval scheme. This legislation, which…
- Best of Business
Helen Clark: Former Prime Minister disapproves of trimming down TVNZ news show
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says trimming TVNZ's flagship news show in half would be tragic. TVNZ has confirmed it is proposing to cut up to 68 roles…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: These TVNZ job losses won't be the last
First it was Newshub, now it's TVNZ. We are still waiting on the details- staff have been told there will be 68 job losses, but the rest they’ll find out…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the increase in non-residential construction activity
Non-residential building work has shot up in the December 2023 quarter, according to the latest data. Commercial buildings have outpaced residential homes…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the increase in banks dropping mortgage rates
BNZ is following other banks in cutting some mortgage rates, following ANZ and ASB. This comes off the back of last week's Reserve Bank decision to keep the…
- Best of Business
Clive Fernandes: National Capital Director on the growing calls for KiwiSaver to be compulsory
A new survey has revealed a majority of people think contributing to KiwiSaver should be compulsory. Data from financial advice firm National Capital shows 62…
- Best of Business
Mike Egan: Restaurant Association President and Monsoon Poon owner on the rise of tipping culture in New Zealand
There's growing evidence Kiwis are embracing US-style tipping culture. New data from financial information site, Banked, says 47 Kiwis approve of tipping- and…
- Best of Business
Melissa Lee: Broadcasting Minister on the future on TVNZ and other broadcasting outlets
The Broadcasting Minister is staying tight-lipped about the future of TVNZ. It is understood TVNZ newsroom staff are bracing for a meeting tomorrow about the…
- Best of Business
Tessa Tierney: Spark product director on the decision to charge users for Xtra Mail service
Spark customers with Xtra Mail accounts will have to pay $5.95 a month to use them from mid-May. It's citing rising maintenance costs as the reason. Spark…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Reserve Bank's decision to hold the OCR in place for longer
The Reserve Bank's decision to hold the OCR in place at 5.5 percent has inspired some banks to lower their rates. This is despite some economists warning…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Chris Luxon's upcoming meeting with ASEAN leaders in Melbourne
Chris Luxon is set to meet with more key trading partners this week. The Prime Minister will fly to Melbourne tomorrow for a special summit, to mark…
- Best of Business
Sam Buckingham-Jones: Australian Financial Review media reporter on Meta's media deal with Network Ten
While New Zealand's media industry struggles to survive, their Australian counterparts are battling setbacks from social media giants. Facebook's parent…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister warns surplus deadline won't be reached
Finance Minister Nicola Willis warns the Government could likely miss the proposed 2027 surplus forecast. The Government included this deadline as a key goal…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: KiwiBank Chief Economist predicts more mortgage rate cuts will come
There's a prediction big drops in mortgage rates are on the cards. Both ANZ and ASB have lowered some of their mortgages rates, following the Reserve Bank's…
- Best of Business
Dylan Firth: Brewers Association NZ executive director on nationwide beer consumption going down
The demand for beer nationwide has dropped significantly, according to new figures. Stats NZ data shows consumption has dropped by 4 percent, the largest drop…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on what yesterday's OCR announcement means for mortgages
Households can breathe a temporary sigh of relief following yesterday's announcement from the Reserve Bank. The Bank has held the OCR steady at 5.5 percent, in…
- Best of Business
Merja Myllylahti: AUT media researcher on whether the proposed closure of Newshub means trouble for the media industry
There's growing concern that the proposed closure of Newshub could be a sign of tougher times for the media industry. Warner Bros. Discovery revealed they…
- Best of Business
Jessica Walker: Consumer NZ Communications and Campaigns Manager explains ticket holder entitlements following Blink-182 cancellation
There's salt in the wound for Christchurch Blink-182 fans after bassist Mark Hoppus was filmed ripping on the city. It comes after the band announced they were…
- Best of Business
David Seymour: ACT Party leader wants TVNZ to pay dividends after proposed Newshub closure announced
ACT Party leader David Seymour has asked Treasury to look into the returns the station is offering tax-payers, after 1News' competitor Newshub revealed it was…
- Best of Business
Simon Parham: Waitomo Chief Executive 'surprised' by leap year-generated fuel pump issues
An issue with paying for fuel at outdoor pumps has been confirmed as being related to the leap year. The extra day in February has affected Allied, Waitomo…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Adrian Orr warning the OCR won't be cut anytime soon
The Reserve Bank Governor says inflation is still too high to consider cutting the OCR. Adrian Orr held the OCR steady at 5.5 percent today, in line with most…
- Best of Business
Katlyn Parker: Milford Asset Management analyst on the market response to today's OCR update
The Reserve Bank Governor has held the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 percent today, as expected by most economists. Adrian Orr says there was discussion on whether…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on Nicola Willis' plan to exempt some trusts from paying new 39 percent rate
Finance Minister Nicola Willis wants to exempt some trusts from paying the new 39 percent trustee tax rate. She hinted the Government planned to modify the…
- Best of Business
Jason Stockill: Woolworths Stores Director determined to build back trust in rat-infested Dunedin store
Building back trust is next on the agenda for the rat-plagued Countdown Dunedin South. It reopened today, after being closed for almost three weeks for pest…
- Best of Business
Sharon Zollner: ANZ chief economist still predicts Reserve Bank will hike OCR again
Economists at our biggest bank expect the Reserve Bank will increase the Official Cash Rate. ANZ's changed its forecast, now predicting 25 basis point hikes in…
- Best of Business
James Gibbons: Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific president says shutting down Newshub newsroom the best decision
Warner Bros. Discovery's Asia Pacific president reckons shutting down Newshub at the end of June is the best way forward. Staff were shocked as the company…
- Best of Business
Bill Ralston: media commentator on the unexpected shutdown of Newshub
Uncertainty over the future for hundreds of Newshub workers, following the shock announcement its newsroom will close. Warner Brothers Discovery executives…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the low expectations for this week's WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi
As several trade ministers come together for this week's WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi, some experts are less hopeful. Stephen Jacobi, the executive director of the…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on Immigration NZ failing to complete risk assessments for migrant workers
Immigration NZ have found themselves in hot water for failing to do enough risk analysis for migrant workers. A review of the Accredited Employer Work Visa…
- Best of Business
Wayne Scott: Aggregate and Quarry Association CEO on the sand shortage impacting construction projects
The Aggregate and Quarry Association says urgent intervention is needed to avoid delays in construction projects in the Upper North Island. Auckland reportedly…
- Best of Business
Sir John Key: former Prime Minister on stepping down from ANZ board role
Sir John Key believes the time was right to step down as chair of the country's biggest bank. Key has been working with ANZ's Australian and New Zealand boards…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on several World Trade Organisation ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi
Several trade ministers from the World Trade Organisation are expected to gather over the next few days. The MC13 gathering, held in Abu Dhabi, will be…
- Best of Business
Daniel Bracken: Michael Hill CEO on the company's success in Australian markets and disappointment in New Zealand
Michael Hill is boosting its presence in Australia as New Zealand sales drop amid ongoing thefts. Overall half-year earnings were down by 55 percent on last…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the latest developments in AI- and what they can accomplish
NZ Herald's Liam Dann has been won over by a new set of AI developments. Spark has rolled out some new technology designed to improve the world of construction…
- Best of Business
Sophie Moloney: Sky TV Chief Executive on the company's strong start to the financial year
Sky TV has made a strong start to the financial year, with a 10 percent rise in net profit for the half-year to December. The broadcaster experienced a 3…