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
Sam McIvor: Beef and Lamb NZ CEO on increases to the conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms
The conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms is still on the rise up. In 2011, 63,000ha of sheep and beef land was purchased for forestry, 11,000ha…
- Best of Business
Jon Duffy: Consumer NZ chief executive says McDonald's app price differences are due to the amount of user data collected
McDonald's dynamic pricing on its app seems to show signs of a digital vs analogue conflict. Users have taken to social networking site Reddit, complaining…
- Best of Business
Bodo Lang: Marketing professor says McDonald's personalised prices on their app are counterintuitive
There is an expectation McDonald's will address charging loyal app users higher prices. Users have taken to complain on social networking site Reddit, after…
- Best of Business
Deborah Lambie: Milford Asset Management analyst on the challenges towards getting New Zealand to 100 percent renewable electricity
The Government's new partnership with BlackRock Capital is set to fast-track the nation's transition to renewable energy. BlackRock's investment fund is set to…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Government ditching plans to implement tougher regulations on Buy Now, Pay Later providers
The Government have ditched plans to implement tougher regulations on Buy Now, Pay Later providers. They had initially proposed requiring affordability tests…
- Best of Business
Vittoria Short: ASB CEO on ASB posting record $1.56 billion full-year net profit
ASB Bank have posted record annual profits, but the signs of an economic slowdown impacted their earnings. The bank reported a net profit for the year ended…
- Best of Business
Kate Hawkesby: For all the people ‘hopping across the Tasman’ at the moment, I can tell you it’s not a hop
For all the people ‘hopping across the Tasman’ at the moment I can tell you one thing - it’s not a hop. It used to be a short haul quick trip - painless. But…
- Best of Business
Andrew Kelleher: JMI Wealth Director says reason for Govt, BlackRock climate deal is perplexing as the $2 billion doesn't exist yet
The Government's climate deal with a major global fund manager is being described as 'perplexing'. BlackRock Capital has launched a $2 billion dollar climate…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on the 'loosely-defined' nature of recessions as several economies slow down
Economies are slowing down all over the world- with many poised to enter technical recessions. Australia's economy has stalled and unemployment rates are set…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on BlackRock launching a $2 billon dollar fund to support renewable energy in NZ
The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a climate infrastructure fund to support 100 percent renewable electricity generation. The fund is…
- Best of Business
John MacDonald: The tax arguments don't stack up
If I said to you, there was one thing all the political parties need to stop doing straight away, what do you think it would be? One thing that pretty much…
- Best of Business
Andrew Kelleher: JMI Wealth Director says Restaurant Brands hasn't been able to claw back increased expenses
Shareholders in New Zealand's main fast food company are having to swallow some tough financial news. Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's…
- Best of Business
Kevin Hart: Wind Energy Association CEO says Govt's move to fast track new wind farms will help the industry
The wind energy sector is praising the Government's move to help fast track three new wind farms. The projects in Southland, at Waiuku south of Auckland, and…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Retail expert says NZ's main fast food company Restaurant Brands full year profit could be half of last year's
The country's main fast food company says its full year profit could be half of last year's. Restaurant Brands, responsible for KFC, Taco Bell, Carl's Junior…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis issuing a warning for NZ exporters
Meat exporters have been watching the global spat between the US and China, and some worry New Zealand may be caught in the crossfire. New Zealand's leading…
- Best of Business
Lisa Dudson: From an idea to a business
It's one thing to have a great idea but how do you turn that into a business? Lisa Dudson gives her insight. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for…
- Best of Business
Jamie McKay: The Country host says Fonterra's reduced forecast Farmgate Milk Price could be make-or-break for farmers
Bleak news has come for dairy farmers this morning. Fonterra has drastically reduced its forecast Farmgate Milk Price for the current season due to ongoing…
- Best of Business
Tim Lightbourne: Invivo co-founder on securing deal to supply US airlines and Disney cruises
Who doesn't love a bit of good wine news on a Friday - the bottle can already be heard opening. Invivo's Sarah Jessica Parker sauvignon blanc has just won…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager on Fitch downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+
US markets plummeted overnight following Fitch downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+. The agency cited fiscal deterioration over the next three…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on the Government confronting a potential fiscal hole in their books
Robertson and Hipkins have admitted Government's books are in a more challenging position than expected- but deny claims of a fiscal hole. The Finance Minister…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: The fiscal hole is the last economic straw
It doesn’t really matter whether it's a $20 billion hole or not. It might be $19.6 billion. The fact is, the Government has a hole, a massive fiscal hole that…
- Best of Business
Wayne Langford: Federated Farmers National president talks GDT results, whole milk powder price decrease
GDT results have taken a sharp dive - down 4.3 per cent. Whole milk powder - which more or less dictates Fonterra's farmgate milk price - is down 8 per cent…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Economist says even if we don't know size of shortfall, it appears the Government books have taken a hit
We don't know how bad the Government's books are, but there are signs things are worse than previously thought. National is calling on Finance Minister Grant…
- Best of Business
Wayne Brown: Auckland Mayor says his bold makeover plan for the waterfront will be made in one form or another
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says his bold makeover plan for the waterfront will be made in one form or another. He wants a development with an open-air seawater…
- Best of Business
David Seymour: Act Leader says Grant Robertson called meeting about financial restraint to improve books before pre-election update
A dispute has risen between the Government and Opposition over the state of Crown finances. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has told Newstalk ZB he called in…
- Best of Business
Felix Fok: Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager on Meta and Alphabet reporting strong results from US earnings season
Two major players in the tech world are reporting strong results this US earnings season. Meta and Alphabet are seeing digital advertising revenue bounce back…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large says rise in unemployment rate means there's more tension in the job market
A slighter higher rise to the unemployment rate than expected. Stats NZ figures show it reached 3.6 percent for the three months to June. That's up point-two…
- Best of Business
Pollies: MPs Megan Woods and Mark Mitchell on retail crime, Police hiring freeze, teachers' pay and Question Time
A senior cabinet minister is playing down the recent rise in retail crime. Latest Police figures show retail crime is on track to break records this year --…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: We are still feeling the mistakes of Covid
One of the many mistakes made during the Covid days that I could never understand, is how it was that the wage subsidy was handed out with such astonishing…
- Best of Business
Nick Tuffley: Chief Economist at ASB expects a very slight shift ahead of last unemployment figure before election
Today we will get the last unemployment figure before the election. Unemployment is currently sitting at 3.4 percent and most are only expecting a very slight…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: National Finance Spokesperson discusses why Labour hasn't introduced a fiscal costing unit
You may remember in 2021 National were initially against establishing a fiscal costing unit. But as soon as Nicola Willis stepped into her role of National's…
- Best of Business
Sharon Zollner: ANZ's Chief Economist ahead of last unemployment figure before election released today
Unemployment figures are out today - and it's the last data set before the election. It's currently sitting at 3.4 percent and no-one is expecting much change…
- Best of Business
Sunny Kaushal: Dairy and Business Owners Group Chair on just 2.5% of retail crimes reported ending in arrests
As retail crime continues to surge, most offenders appear to be getting away scot-free. Latest Police figures released to the Dairy and Business Owners Group…
- Best of Business
Jithin Chittibomma: Sandringham Business Association points to Govt justice policies as a reason for increasing crime
The retail sector is pointing to Government justice policies as a reason for increasing crime. Police figures suggest only 2.3 percent of reported retail crime…
- Best of Business
Kate McNamara: NZ Herald business journalist on the group of water entity CEOs claiming high salaries for non-existent jobs
A group of veteran public servants who were appointed to set up four water entities are collecting high salaries for work that no longer exists. Jon Lamonte…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host less than optimistic about GDT auction
Analysts are feeling less than optimistic about tonight's GDT auction amid low Chinese demand for dairy. According to the SGX-NZX futures market, whole milk…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on Grant Robertson refusing to explain whether GST would come off fruit and vegetables
Finance Minister Grant Robertson remains under pressure, as he bats off questions about Labour's tax policy. Robertson is still refusing to confirm whether…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Haar: Massey Business School Professor says financial stress and easy path to citizenship make Australia more attractive
New research shows over a third of New Zealand's workforce are thinking of quitting their jobs and moving to Australia. A joint university study highlights…
- Best of Business
Gareth Kiernan: Infometrics Chief Forecaster says it's hard to see why BNZ hiked up home loan rates
Economists are baffled over BNZ's decision to bump up the interest rates on three home loan terms. The bank will lift their six-month rate from 7.85 percent to…
- Best of Business
Kerre Woodham: Should there be some kind of fund for people ripped off in scams?
Now this is another tricky one and we have talked about it before, and it's in the news again. I am all for personal responsibility in owning your own…
- Best of Business
Jon Duffy: Consumer NZ Chief Executive urges banks to better protect Kiwis who fall victim to scams
BNZ is under fire for refusing to reimburse scam victims who lost nearly half a million dollars in an elaborate scam. Consumer NZ is urging banks to raise…
- Best of Business
Keith McLaughlin: Centrix director on figures showing company liquidations up, but consumer arrears fall slightly
We are seeing a climb in business credit defaults across the board. Latest data from Centrix shows company liquidations are up 36 percent year-on-year, while…
- Best of Business
Max Whitehead: CEO of Small Business Voice on data showing company liquidations are up 36 percent year on year
Businesses are continuing to struggle under cost pressures. Latest Centrix data shows a climb in business credit defaults, with company liquidations up 36…
- Best of Business
Scott Shellady: US markets analyst says the US won't avoid a recession
US economists are predicting the region will be able to get inflation under control while avoiding recession. The US Federal Reserve is no longer projecting a…
- Best of Business
Allan Bullot: GST expert is unsure whether removing GST from fruit and veges is a good idea
A GST expert says it is possible to remove the tax from fruit and veges, but whether it's good policy is another question. National's Nicola Willis claims it's…
- Best of Business
Oliver Hartwich: Economic expert says homeowners are disproportionately feeling cost of living crisis pain
An economic expert says homeowners are disproportionately feeling the pain of the cost of living crisis. Latest figures from Stats NZ show the average…
- Best of Business
Mark Casey: ASB Chief Economist says removing GST from fruit and vegetables can become very complicated
An economist says removing GST from fruit and vegetables can become very complicated in practice. National claims it is part of Labour's election tax policy…
- Best of Business
Jason Ennor: My HR chief executive on the report confirming two thirds of small and medium businesses expect improvement
Cautious optimism prevails throughout small and medium businesses, a new report finds. My HR data reveals almost two thirds of companies expect revenue to…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on former RBNZ governor Don Brash claiming increased fuel taxes will fight inflation
Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash believes the RBNZ should be empowered to lift fuel taxes to fight inflation. He stated in a blog post that increased…
- Best of Business
Bodo Lang: Massey University marketing professor says cost of living and retailer marketing are driving consumers towards home brand products
New research shows consumers are gravitating towards home brand products due to the rising cost of living. EY data indicates that 65 percent of people believe…
- Best of Business
Daryl Gibbs: School principal disappointed vaping law changes won't stop new sales near schools and marae
Disappointment vaping law changes won't stop new sales near schools and marae. A loophole in the law banning specialist vape stores from setting up within 300…
- Best of Business
Jamie Blennerhassett: Federated Farmers VP says some North Island maize growers are facing financial disaster after a poor season
Federated Farmers says some North Island maize growers are facing financial disaster after a poor season. It's expected there'll be a 13 percent decrease in…
- Best of Business
Angus Luffman: Financial services expert on report showing a 5.3 percent rise in applications for credit
People are back buying cars and doing home renovations again - with demand for credit on the rise. A quarterly report by financial services company Equifax…
- Best of Business
Mike Lee: Auckland Councillor gobsmacked at $190m paid out to Big 4 law and accounting firms by council over last five years
An Auckland councillor is gobsmacked at the spend on lawyers and consultants. The council has paid out $190-million to the Big 4 global accountants and large…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist predicts house prices will rise due to increased migration
House prices have been falling, but the tide may turn soon enough. HSBC predicts house prices will rise again by 5 percent in 2024, with a strong rebound in…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Finance expert says everyone knew Twitter change to X was coming
The Twitter bird has flown the coop. The platform's logo has officially changed to a white "X" on a black background overnight, replacing the familiar blue…
- Best of Business
Kate Hawkesby: Is Marc Ellis right about New Zealand?
After yesterday’s shooting in Auckland, those words are still hard to believe - 'shooting in Auckland', a lot of debate’s been thrown up around law and order…
- Best of Business
Rob Clark: Seek NZ manager on data showing a three percent decline in job ad volumes over June - 21 percent annual drop
Last year's job boom hasn't followed into this year. New Seek data shows a three percent decline in job ad volumes over June, adding to a 21 percent annual…
- Best of Business
Paul Clark: Tourism Industry Economist says industry is going to find it increasingly challenging to make a profit
A new Westpac report has revealed our tourism is doing well - but could do better. The latest Westpac Economic Tourism bulletin shows while the sector has seen…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager on what the launch of Threads means for Meta's stock
Meta's launch of Threads has left analysts and experts wondering what this new platform will do for the company's bottom line. Threads has generated over 100…