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
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on TVNZ CEO Simon Power stepping down
TVNZ's CEO Simon Power is stepping down after 15 months in the role. He will leave the company on June 30th, and says it's "been a privilege" to lead the…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Devon Funds Head of Retail on Australian retailer EziBuy being put into administration
Bad news for clothing and homewares retailer EziBuy. The company has been put into administration by its Australian owners - which is likely to be the end of…
- Best of Business
Chris Hipkins: Prime Minister says legitimate concerns have been raised about lobbyists access to MPs
The Prime Minister says legitimate concerns have been raised about lobbyists' access to MPs. Private-sector and union reps are losing swipe-card access to…
- Best of Business
Julia Jones: Dairy sector expert on Fonterra reducing forecast payout to farmers despite record profits
Fonterra's revised forecast for the 2022/23 shows a worrying outlook for the dairy industry. The milk giant has revised down its farmgate price to between…
- Best of Business
Holly Bennett: Lobbyist says it's not particularly difficult to get access to a Minister
A belief the Government's moves to ensure transparency within the lobbying sector is perfunctory. The Prime Minister's giving support to third-party lobbyists…
- Best of Business
Tim Mackle: Dairy NZ chief executive on Fonterra reducing its season forecast milk payment to farmers
Since the news of Fonterra recording a 50 percent increase in record profits, it has now cut its season forecast milk payment to farmers. The forecasted…
- Best of Business
Jason Paris: One NZ CEO on the new rebrand and partnership with Starlink
The company formerly known as Vodafone celebrated their first day of trading as One NZ. To mark the occasion, One NZ has also unveiled details of a new…
- Best of Business
Keeley Anderson: Queenstown real estate agent on the tourism town's rental crisis
Queenstown renters are so desperate for housing they're asking real estate agents to rent out empty houses on the market. Tall Poppy Real Estate Queenstown…
- Best of Business
John Tookey: Construction professor says between a bridge and tunnel Waitematā crossing, bridge is a bit easier
A construction expert believes the second Auckland Harbour crossing will become a political football. The Government has brought forward construction for a…
- Best of Business
Julie White: Hospitality NZ CEO discusses the impact of minimum wage increase on businesses
The cost of living crisis has hit many New Zealanders hard, but some help is on the way. From the beginning of April, increases to the pension, benefit…
- Best of Business
Rick Herd: Construction boss says Auckland harbour crossing is a political announcement, PM wanted good news to share
A construction boss says the second Auckland Harbour crossing must be cost effective and a long-term solution. The Government has brought forward construction…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor on job cuts and labour shortages happening at the same time
Several organisations have announced significant job cuts- yet the labour shortage is still alive and well. Warehouse, Xero, Sky TV, MediaWorks and Auckland…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO says now is the time for action on second Auckland harbour crossing
The Government is about to unveil five new options for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing. The Government has announced it's bringing forward construction of…
- Best of Business
Graeme Tregidga: NZ King Salmon Acting CEO on their full-year profit following changes to their farming model
New Zealand King Salmon's profits are going swimmingly after posting their first full-year profit in three years. The company has taken a number of measures to…
- Best of Business
Phil O'Reilly: Business expert says the pandemic may have played a part in the soaring labour productivity in New Zealand
The pandemic may have played a part in what seems to be soaring labour productivity in New Zealand. Stats NZ data shows in the year ended March 2022…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: What is the point of Commerce Commission reports?
There's a small sense of satisfaction for me as the second quarterly monitoring report from the Commerce Commission came out on the petrol industry. Do you…
- Best of Business
Kate Tulp: Service expert on Kiwis spending nearly 20 million hours waiting for customer services in 2022
In 2022, Kiwis spent almost 20 million hours waiting for customer services. With 19.7 million people contacting customer services, that equates to an average…
- Best of Business
Kirk Hope: BusinessNZ Planning Forecast suggests the country is on track for a mild recession
New Zealand appears to be edging closer to a recession, with some regions faster than others. BusinessNZ's latest Planning Forecast suggests the country's on…
- Best of Business
Brent Lynn: Hawke's Bay Wine Growers say they are bouncing back and open for business
A message to wine lovers; Hawke's Bay vineyards are bouncing back and open for business. Images of devastated wineries were widely circulated following Cyclone…
- Best of Business
Eric Crampton: Economist says people have been moving to different ministries to get a pay increase, denigrating expertise
Public servants jumping roles may have melted the Government's pay freeze. The policy that was introduced for high-paid public servants during the Covid-19…
- Best of Business
Cameron Bagrie: independent economist suggests moving the financial goalposts to fight inflation
An independent economist suggests moving the financial goalposts may help get inflation back on track. The current inflation target is between 1 and 3 percent…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Economist on 60 percent of households will need to refinance their mortgages in the next year
Over the next year or so around 60 percent of households will need to refinance their mortgages at higher rates. With 50 percent of the value of existing fixed…
- Best of Business
Ellen Dixon: Students advocate says student debt isn't talked about enough
Students are calling for more education around the impact of student debt. Student loan living costs have increased by more than $100 a week over the past six…
- Best of Business
Ben Stewart: Jarden Global Equity Analyst on what ChatGPT will do to the workforce by 2030
There are growing concerns ChatGPT is coming for white-collar jobs. A global equity analyst has warned ChatGPT will take up one third of office roles and upend…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta returning from China
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has returned from her visit to China. Nanaia Mahuta used her meeting with China's foreign minister to raise concerns about…
- Best of Business
Graeme Muller: NZTech CEO discusses Amazon Group's Web Services deal with Govt to advance NZ's digital transformation
Amazon Group's Web Services have signed a deal with the Government to supposedly advance our digital transformation. This includes the public service's uptake…
- Best of Business
Jodie Burnard: Flight Centre GM of Marketing says increasing airfares are pushing Gen Z, Millennials towards cruise ships
A wave of Gen Zs and Millennials are setting their sights on cruise ships for their holiday of choice. Flight Centre says bookings for 18 to 30 year olds have…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor on Reserve Bank chief economist warning increasing wages to counter inflation will make recession worse
Chief economist Paul Conway has issued a warning as the Reserve Bank works to curb inflation. Paul Conway says New Zealand is at risk of a deeper recession if…
- Best of Business
Kelvin Davidson: Property expert on biggest housing sales slump in nearly 40 years
From RNZ The housing market has gone quiet, triggering the biggest sales slump in nearly 40 years. CoreLogic NZ’s new Housing Chart Pack indicated 60,859…
- Best of Business
Diego Traglia: Real estate agent says now is a good time to buy a house with 25% drop in prices in two years
There are currently favourable conditions for buyers in the housing market. CoreLogic figures show close to 61,000 properties were sold in the year to February…
- Best of Business
John Carnegie: Energy Resources Aotearoa says new report aims to inform debate around the role of gas in low-carbon future
There's hope the Government will take note of a report warning a move from natural gas too early could be costly. A report by major energy and gas players says…
- Best of Business
Len Houwers: Major Gas Users' spokesperson says hasty transition to renewable energy could create $7 billion in additional energy costs
Warnings a hasty transition to renewable energy could be costly to New Zealand. Research commissioned by the energy sector, is recommending natural gas be part…
- Best of Business
Lindsay Mitchell: Researcher says the Government shouldn't be taking credit for declining Jobseeker levels
A welfare commenter claims the government shouldn't be taking credit for declining Jobseeker levels. Data from Social Development, comparing June 2020 to June…
- Best of Business
Murray Edridge: City Missioner says the cost of living continues to bite, even though more people are working
Claims the cost of living continues to bite, even though more people are working. Ministry of Social Development data shows almost 25,000 fewer people are…
- Best of Business
Chris Wilkie: Otis co founder on New Zealand getting its first dedicated plant based milk facility
Oat milk production is set to return to New Zealand shores. New Zealand firm Free Flow Manufacturing is establishing the country's first plant-based milk…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on New Zealand and Australia's Reserve Banks potentially pausing OCR hikes amid banking collapses
New Zealand and Australia's Reserve Banks may be pausing the OCR hikes following recent financial meltdowns. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the near…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the Te Pūkenga budget bid being published online with no redactions
More public embarrassment for polytech merger Te Pūkenga today after a budget bid was accidentally published online. The budget bid had no redactions…
- Best of Business
Andrew Kelleher: JMI Wealth Director says Credit Suisse raises an important question of what might happen in similar situations
Concerns among Credit Suisse shareholders in the wake of its purchase by main rival UBS. The $3.2-billion purchase has been driven by regulators, but normally…
- Best of Business
Rohan McCloskey: GoGenerosity CEO on world's first pay it forward Shopify app hitting the market
The world's first pay it forward Shopify app has just hit the market. The app connects with a business’ Shopify sites and at the point of checkout customers…
- Best of Business
Catherine Field: Europe correspondent says it's a nervous day for European share markets after Credit Suisse purchase
A nervous day for European share markets ahead of the first day of trading since the purchase of Credit Suisse. Markets started the day sharply lower, but have…
- Best of Business
Greg Harford: Retail NZ CEO says they want Police to have more resources and tools to deal with retail crime
The retail sector is hoping to sit down with the new Police Minister soon. Ginny Andersen is replacing Stuart Nash in the role, having only been sworn in as a…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME business commentator on Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta visiting China tomorrow
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to China on Tuesday for two days. This will be China's first visit from a Cabinet minister since 2019, and Nanaia…
- Best of Business
Carrie Hurihanganui: Auckland Airport chief executive on Auckland Airport facing their biggest redevelopment in 57 years
Auckland's domestic airport is facing their biggest redevelopment since the terminal opened 57 years ago. Plans have been signed off to merge the domestic and…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor says if the next quarter is also negative, we could already be in a technical recession
The economy has contracted slightly more than predicted by economists and the banks. Latest GDP figures from Stats NZ show a 0.6 percent decline in the three…
- Best of Business
Dr Bryce Wilkinson: NZ Initiative senior fellow on report labelling govt's monetary policy 'a mess' and blames government
There is a feeling around the country that our monetary policy is a mess. And a new report by the NZ Initiative is putting all the blame on the Government. The…
- Best of Business
Aarnaud Daurat: Exxovantage founder on their wearable exosuit designed to help keep workers safer from injuries
A Kiwi company is using exoskeleton technology to help businesses keep workers safer from workplace injuries. The wearable exosuit has built in sensors that…
- Best of Business
Nick Tuffley: ASB Chief Economist picks a 0.5% drop in GDP figures released today
The New Zealand economy is shrinking, the only question is by how much. GDP figures due out this morning are expected to show the economy contracted in the…
- Best of Business
Miles Workman: ANZ Senior Economist predicts a 0.3% contraction in today's GDP figures
The New Zealand economy is shrinking, the only question is by how much. GDP figures due out this morning are expected to show the economy contracted in the…
- Best of Business
Sam McIvor: Beef and Lamb CEO says farm profit is predicted to decrease by 31 percent from update before
High inflation is hitting the back pockets of farmers. The Beef and Lamb New Zealand 2022 to 2023 Mid-Season Update says that farm profit is predicted to…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on what to expect from the fourth quarter GDP numbers
The fourth quarter GDP figures are set to be released by Stats NZ tomorrow. After the third quarter's 2 percent growth, the Reserve Bank is forecasting the…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Government deferring public consultation to define contractors vs employees
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced Monday that a public consultation to clarify the difference between contractors employees would be deferred. The Council…
- Best of Business
Viv Beck: Heart of the City Chief Executive on Auckland's City Rail Link build needing more money and time
Frustration over a blowout of Auckland's City Rail link build cost. It's asking for another billion dollars, half each from Auckland Council and the…
- Best of Business
Stuart Nash: Police Minister on what needs to be done in terms of retail crime, overnight ram-raids
Police are investigating at least two burglaries in Auckland overnight - including at a large supermarket in the suburb of Lynfield. Officers were called to…
- Best of Business
Rick Herd: Naylor Love CEO expects we'll see a continuing collapse of smaller building companies over next few months, years
A top building boss says there are two fundamental issues with the construction industry and things need to change. Bayside Designer Homes is the latest…
- Best of Business
David Cunningham: Squirrel Mortgages CEO says an inquiry into banking probably wouldn't create much change
An expert says a probe into banking may not be the fix for issues in the sector. Latest figures from KPMG show bank profits reached a record high $7.15 billion…
- Best of Business
John Tookey: Prof of Construction Management says cashflow issues are being blamed for building businesses falling over (1)
Cashflow issues are being blamed for building businesses falling over. The country's construction crunch may start to snowball, with more building businesses…
- Best of Business
John Tookey: Prof of Construction Management says cashflow issues are being blamed for building businesses falling over
Cashflow issues are being blamed for building businesses falling over. The country's construction crunch may start to snowball, with more building businesses…
- Best of Business
Amanda Singleton: Watercare Chief Customer Officer on Watercare confirming a 9.5 percent price increase for Auckland water bills
Aucklanders will have to prepare to pay more for their water services in the coming months. Watercare has locked in a 9.5 percent price increase on their water…
- Best of Business
Pattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on the upcoming Royal NZ Yacht Squadron meeting and projected losses
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is projecting a trading loss of $1.6 million ahead of their next meeting. Thursday's meeting will "immediately" review…
- Best of Business
John MacDonald: Labour knows people will take the money and run
A billion dollars. That’s how much Prime Minister Chris Hipkins slashed from the Government’s spending plan yesterday. Not that it’s going straight into the…