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
Tim Grafton: Insurance Council chief executive on the cost of insurance going up significantly over the past year
The cost of insurance is still stubbornly high, according to the latest data. Figures released by Stats NZ show that inflation is going down, but insurance…
- Best of Business
Matt Cowgill: Seek economist on the uptick in roles promising work-from-home arrangements
A growing number of employers are trying to lure in new staff with work-from-home arrangements. Seek's latest data reveals around 10 percent of job ads…
- Best of Business
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales Managing Director on the uptick in baby boomers selling their businesses
Baby boomers are back in the business of selling their businesses. Professional services network PwC says it’s seen an uptick in enquiries from owners looking…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist responds to CPI inflation slowing down
Annual inflation has slowed down in recent months, in line with predictions from economists. The Consumer Price Index rose 4.7 percent in the year to December…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on what RBNZ debt-to-income restrictions mean for first home buyers
Questions are being raised over what incoming restrictions from the Reserve Bank mean for first home buyers. The banking regulator proposed debt-to-income…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank economist on the inflation rate dropping to 4.7 percent in the December quarter
New Zealand has had its smallest annual inflation increase in two years. CPI rose 4.7 percent in the year to December- in line with the expectations from…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on Australian company Santana Minerals revealing significant gold discovery in Otago
Australian-owned company Santana Minerals has informed investors swathes of gold may be hidden under farmland in Central Otago. The 'Rise and Shine' site had…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson stepping down from the role
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson is stepping down from New Zealand's biggest kiwifruit exporter to pursue overseas opportunities. Mathieson has led Zespri…
- Best of Business
Tony Alexander: independent economist on the Reserve Bank bringing in debt-to-income mortgage lending restrictions
A potential silver lining for first home buyers in possible changes to lending rules. The Reserve Bank is proposing introducing debt to income ratios from the…
- Best of Business
Paul Spain: tech commentator questions the necessity of the Christchurch Call role designed to combat online extremism
Whether Jacinda Ardern will continue as New Zealand's special envoy for the Christchurch Call - is still up in the air. The multilateral body brings together…
- Best of Business
Stefan Vogel: Rabobank researcher says New Zealand exports likely to be affected by ongoing Gaza conflict
New Zealand exports could profit from the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea. Freight continues to be redirected around Africa's Cape of Good Hope while violence…
- Best of Business
Steve Armitage: Hospitality NZ CEO on the data showing consumer confidence is on the rise
Welcome news for businesses, as new data shows that consumer confidence is on the rise. The latest Westpac McDermott Miller Index shows consumer confidence is…
- Best of Business
The Huddle: Was it a good idea for the Government to scrap the Interislander ferry project?
Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joined in on discussion about the following…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager explains the impact of asset sales
More local councils are turning to asset sales in order to balance their books. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council aims to sell off several majority shares in…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large discusses today's 'surprising' GDP figures
Today's Q3 GDP report caught several economists by surprise. GDP fell 0.3 per cent in the September quarter, lower than the predicted 0.2 or 0.3 percent growth…
- Best of Business
Jason Walls: ZB political editor on Grant Robertson defending New Zealand's declining GDP
New Zealand's former Finance Minister has stepped up to justify today's disappointing GDP results. GDP fell 0.3 percent in the three months to September- with…
- Best of Business
Stephen Toplis: BNZ economist on the worse-than-anticipated GDP results
Weak economic growth is expected to continue a while. GDP fell 0.3 percent in the three months to September - a much worse result than forecast by most…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: The GDP numbers confirm what we're all feeling
It's fair to say that the GDP figures out this morning came as a shock- it's a lot weaker than economists were expecting. Economists were tending to forecast a…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the GDP figure falling by 0.3 percent
Surprise at today's negative GDP figure. It fell 0.3% in the three months to September, a switch from a revised 0.5% increase for the three months to June…
- Best of Business
Deborah Lambie: Milford Asset Management analyst on the increased use of robots in the workforce
Technology continues to evolve and spill over into the world of work, allowing more robots to fit into modern workplaces. More companies have turned to robot…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on New Zealand's account deficit remains stubbornly high
New Zealand’s current account deficit remains stubbornly high, according to the latest data. A new report shows the country spent $30.6 billion more on imports…
- Best of Business
Peter Reidy: KiwiRail chief executive on Nicola Willis declining the company's request for further funding
The deal's off - with two new mega-ferries for the Cook Strait no longer going ahead. KiwiRail has confirmed it will terminate a contract signed in 2021 to…
- Best of Business
Pierre van Heerden: Grocery Commissioner urges supermarkets to implement lower pricing amid surging Christmas demand
The Grocery Commissioner is shining a spotlight on grocery prices this festive season. Pierre van Heerden is challenging supermarkets to implement Everyday Low…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on what to expect for the economy in 2024
2023 is drawing to a close, and economists are predicting what lies ahead for the new year. New Zealand is still fighting a long, drawn-out battle with…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the increasing number of local councils looking into asset sales
More local councils appear to be drawn towards attempting asset sales. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has begun the process of selling a chunk of its…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Don Brash's warning about the second pillar of AUKUS
Former politician and Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash has issued a warning about the second pillar of AUKUS. US lawmakers have struck a deal on the AUKUS…
- Best of Business
David McDonald: Being AI co-founder on being the first AI company to appear on the NZX
Emerging AI company Being AI is set to become the first artificial intelligence-based business to appear on the NZX. Listed investors Ascension Capital have…
- Best of Business
Jason Walls: ZB political editor on the Government's plan to scrap fair pay agreements by Christmas
The Prime Minister says scrapping Fair Pay Agreements and bringing in 90 day trials means more workers can be hired. FPAs - which triggers collective…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Fonterra increasing their farmgate milk price forecast following strong opening result
Fonterra has upgraded its milk price forecast and raised their full-year earnings forecast following an 85 percent lift in their first-quarter profit. The…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the gap between the market and the Reserve Bank's views on the future of interest rates
A big gap has opened up between the market and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s views of where interest rates are heading. The two-year swap rate - which can…
- Best of Business
Mark Smith: ASB senior economist estimates Kiwi households will need to find an extra $70 per week to cover living costs in 2024
Kiwi households will had to find an extra $70 per week to cover their living costs, according to ASB economists. It's a smaller increase than the $115 a week…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the pre-Christmas fall in the cost of petrol
Good news for Kiwi motorists, with a pre-Christmas fall in petrol prices. Brent Crude has fallen from $81 US dollars on Friday to $77 this morning. The average…
- Best of Business
Frances Sweetman: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on the fourth consecutive carbon auction of the year failing
The fourth consecutive carbon auction of 2023 failed to clear, leaving millions of units unsold. This means the Government missed out on anther $900 million…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank hinting new mortgage lending rules will be less restrictive
The Reserve Bank is downplaying the impact of new mortgage lending rules they might impose on banks. It's given the banks until April 2024 to prepare for…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the farmgate price of lamb being expected to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future
Kiwi lamb prices are expected to remain under pressure, as Australia's output floods through overseas markets. Over the past few years, Australian farmers have…
- Best of Business
Tony Alexander: independent economist on fewer real estate agents seeing an increase in house prices
A recent real estate survey has revealed fewer agents have observed a notable increase in house prices. Of the 324 respondents, a net 28 percent of agents said…
- Best of Business
Chris Wilkinson: First Retail managing director on Woolworths NZ reporting a 52 percent profit drop
There's growing evidence Kiwi supermarkets may not be drawing in as much profit as expected. Woolworths New Zealand’s profits have dropped 52 percent in the…
- Best of Business
Dr David White: Nosebud inventor and designer launches drug-free solution for nasal congestion
Kiwi company Goodair has developed a drug-free solution to fighting nasal congestion. Nosebuds promise to enhance diaphragmatic nasal breathing in order to…
- Best of Business
Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations Minister disappointed unions are mis-characterising Government plans for Fair Pay Agreements
The Workplace Relations Minister says she's disappointed unions are mis-characterising plans on Fair Pay Agreements. Elements of the Government's moves to…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the Reserve Bank of Australia holding the OCR at 4.35 percent
The Reserve Bank of Australia has opted to keep the OCR on hold for the time being. The cash rate is set to stay at 4.35 percent, with economists citing…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on the state of the Government books
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has expressed concern with the scale of financial challenges left behind by the former Government, which she is still…
- Best of Business
Charles Whiting: DebtManagers executive director says New Zealand's attitude towards bad debt is costing the country billions
Experts claim New Zealand's ongoing failure to deal with bad debt is costing the country over $2 billion per year. Debt management firm DebtManagers says a…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on City Rail Link costing taxpayers millions more amid increased costs and delays
Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with a bill of roughly $220 million each year to run the City Rail Link - once it opens. Chief executive Sean Sweeney says…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager on investment expert Charlie Munger dying
Charlie Munger, investment guru and sidekick in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway project, passed this week. Munger served as Buffett’s sounding board on…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the renewed optimism from Kiwi business leaders
There's renewed optimism from New Zealand's business leaders about the state of the economy. In the latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, confidence increased by…
- Best of Business
Malcolm Johns: Genesis Energy CEO on the company's plan to produce 95 percent renewable electricity by 2030
Genesis Energy is making moves to meet its promise of producing 95 percent renewable energy by 2035. The company plans to use profits from Kupe gas field to…
- Best of Business
Jon Duffy: Consumer NZ chief executive on the organisation seeking a High Court declaration that Z Energy misled Kiwi
Consumer NZ is accusing Z Energy of profiting from misleading sustainability messaging. The organisation teamed up with the Environmental Law Initiative and…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Government's plan to shut down the Productivity Commission
The incoming Government has agreed to disestablish the Productivity Commission, as ACT requested. Staff are disappointed, yet unsurprised, as many were…
- Best of Business
Richard Umbers: Ryman Healthcare chief executive on the company posting a lower half-year profit
Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare has posted a lower-than-expected half-year profit. The company had earned $186 million after tax for the six…
- Best of Business
Gareth Kiernan: Infometrics chief economist on the Reserve Bank's plans for future OCR hikes
The Reserve Bank left the OCR at 5.5 percent during today's review, in line with predictions. The Bank also issued a hawkish statement about future hikes…
- Best of Business
Tony Alexander: independent economist doesn't believe the Reserve Bank will need to hike the OCR further
The Reserve Bank says there may be a need for more interest rates hikes. It has held the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 percent, and their forecast track suggests…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the Government's planned changes to the Reserve Bank
As part of the coalition agreement, the Government revealed some new changes for the Reserve Bank. Its dual mandate will be ditched- and focus will return to…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the date for Eric Watson’s bankruptcy case being called
A date has been set for disgraced businessman Eric Watson's bankruptcy case to be called. The liquidators of Watson’s company, Cullen Investments, have chased…
- Best of Business
Andre Castaing: ANZ economist says Wellington's property prices are declining ahead of anticipated public service cuts
The Government's plan to slash the public sector is having an adverse impact on Wellington's property market. According to ANZ's latest property report…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on the upcoming United States Business Summit
Some of America's most successful business figures are set to arrive in Auckland for the upcoming US Business Summit. Experts from major companies like PepsiCo…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager on Sam Altman returning as OpenAI's CEO
OpenAI recently reached an agreement for Sam Altman to return as CEO days after his ousting. It caps frenzied discussions about the future of the start-up at…
- Best of Business
Rowena Duncum: The Country producer on egg prices coming down
Good news for Kiwi bakers out there- egg prices are on their way down. Eggs have been in short supply - and expensive - since the start of the year when a ban…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on Westpac's interest rates dropping
Westpac is cutting some of its longer-term fixed special home loan rates- making it the first major bank to do so. The bank's two- and three-year fixed home…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Devon Funds Head of Retail on My Food Bag profits halving amid cost of living crisis
Meal kit delivery service My Food Bag's latest profits have more than halved as customers seek to cut costs. The company's half year profit shows a significant…
- Best of Business
Sarah Jessica Parker: Actress on her business ventures and collaboration with Invivo
Back in 2008 two kiwis created Invivo with the intention of bringing New Zealand wine to the world. Sarah Jessica Parker joined the team back in 2019, and…