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 Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Micron unveiling their third-quarter earnings
Micron announced its third quarter earnings earlier, beating out analysts' expectations and surpassing estimates for the company's Q4 revenue outlook. Micron's…
- Best of Business
Wayne Langford: former Federated Farmers president on Colin Hurst taking over his role
Federated Farmers has elected a new national president from South Canterbury. Waimate arable and dairy farmer Colin Hurst has replaced Wayne Langford. He's…
- Best of Business
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on the 12th annual China Business Summit taking place in Auckland
Our relationship with China takes centre stage in Auckland this morning. The 12th annual China Business Summit brings together business and political leaders…
- Best of Business
Murray Crane: Former Heart of the City Board Member on the mass resignation, call for Auckland Council to pull funding
A former Heart of the City board member says the organisation's lost its focus. Six of the Auckland city-centre business association's seven voting members…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the pay equity issues impacting the Government
Labour isn’t the only party faced with a funding challenge related to the country’s pay equity regime. The three pay equity claims in the works relate to…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management on the 'financial wobbles' impacting the AI and chip sectors
There's been some flare-ups in the AI and chip sectors and experts have raised concerns. There's been drops on the Nasdaq and S&P 500, and investors are…
- Best of Business
Winston Peters: NZ First leader calls for overseas tech giants to pay more taxes
NZ First leader Winston Peters wants overseas tech giants to pay more tax - as Government agencies send millions offshore. Stuff reports public service…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on GDP rising 0.8 percent for the March quarter
The latest GDP figures may not reflect the reality many businesses are facing right here, right now. GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter - the third…
- Best of Business
Michael Gordon: Westpac senior economist on the Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index dropping to lowest level since 2004
Confidence in the employment market is at an all-time low, with the Iran war still rippling through the economy. A Westpac-McDermott Miller survey for the June…
- Best of Business
Susan St John: Auckland University Associate Professor of Economics on Labour ruling out changes to retirement age
A social policy advocate suggests taxing superannuants' alternative incomes could be the solution New Zealand needs. National is campaigning on raising the…
- Best of Business
Sylvie Thrush Marsh: MyHR Spokesperson on the sectors recording increased restructuring activity
More small and medium businesses are looking to trim the fat after years of constant pressure. MyHR data shows in the first three months of the year, the…
- Best of Business
Murray Harris: Milford Asset Management's General Manager on National's Kiwisaver boost promise
National's Kiwisaver promise could help address a gender savings gap. The party is committing to raise minimum contributions and make employers contribute for…
- Best of Business
Bruce Bernacchi: Dentons tax partner says Green's tax will send investments overseas
Doubts New Zealand could avoid the problems other countries faced with wealth taxes. The Greens are proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million…
- Best of Business
Kate Acland: Beef and Lamb Chair comments on red meat driving increase in exports
New Zealand's exporters are seeing success, with the total value of exports adding up to $8.9bn in May. This is a rise of $1.4bn from last year, and red meat…
- Best of Business
Hayley Horan: Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO on the canning of the Golden Mile project
Businesses in the capital are looking forward to more certainty, with the controversial Golden Mile project now officially canned. Councillors voted yesterday…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Kevin Warsh making debut as Federal Reserve chair
Kevin Warsh made his debut at the wheel of the US central bank today, and it's prompted a divided response. The Federal Reserve unanimously voted to keep…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Rabobank's latest survey showing farmer confidence has taken a hit
Farmer confidence has fallen slightly, as the impacts of the Iran war continue to be felt. Rabobank's latest survey shows 29 percent of farmers expect things…
- Best of Business
Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on whether the economy will bounce back following US-Iran peace deal
New Zealand's continuing to feel the knock-on effects of continuing economic downturn - but is there light at the end of the tunnel? The latest data shows GDP…
- Best of Business
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on reports indicating economy was recovering before Iran war?
New Zealand's economic recovery had been gaining momentum before the Iran war and fuel crisis hit. Today's figures show GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the GDP rising 0.8% in the March quarter
Our economy was well on the way to recovery, driven by a resurgence in manufacturing, before the fuel crisis hit. Stats NZ data out today shows GDP rose 0.8%…
- Best of Business
Remy Wisenberg: Milford Asset Management expert on SpaceX's market value going up following initial public offering
Elon Musk's SpaceX company has overtaken Amazon as the fifth most valuable in the world. It comes after a surge in its share price, driven by it joining New…
- Best of Business
Greg Smith: Generate investment specialist on Fletcher asking for credit rating to be withdrawn
Fletcher Building has asked ratings agency Moody's to withdraw its credit rating of the company, as it reports continued pressures on its business and looks to…
- Best of Business
Hamish Walker: Queenstown real estate agent on the surge in interest from Australian buyers
There's been a spike in the number of wealthy Australians expressing interest in property across the ditch. New reports show there's a surge in interest in…
- Best of Business
Megan Alexander: Robert Half New Zealand managing director on the counteroffer conundrum impacting Kiwi businesses
Counteroffers have become a widespread retention tactic in today’s hiring market, but questions have been raised about its effectiveness. The 2026 Robert Half…
- Best of Business
Matt Cowley: Tauranga Business Chamber CEO on the Bay of Plenty becoming NZ's top-ranked economy
The Bay of Plenty could be seeing the light at the end of the economic tunnel. ASB's Regional Economic Scoreboard shows the Bay's reclaimed first place after a…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market's response to the US-Iran peace deal
The US and Iran have agreed to a peace deal, and the news has brought some hope into the economy. Oil prices have fallen about 4 percent since the countries…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on what the US-Iran peace deal means for fuel prices and the economy
News of a peace agreement to be signed this between Iran and the US is prompting optimism about fuel prices and the global economy, but the Finance Minister is…
- Best of Business
Nick Mowbray: rich-lister and Zuru co-founder on the secrets to his success
The country's richest man is passing on some advice. Zuru founders Nick and Mat Mowbray have retained the top spot on the annual NBR rich-list, with an…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac chief economist on what the US-Iran peace agreement could mean for fuel prices
An economist says it won't be long until 91 petrol is consistently back down at $2.80. The US and Iran peace agreement to cease hostilities and reopen the…
- Best of Business
Eric Berger: author and senior space writer on the SpaceX IPO making Elon the world's first trillionaire
Questions over whether SpaceX will live up to its colossal share price. Shares soared above $160 US dollars as the rocket, satellite and data centre company…
- Best of Business
Francesca Rudkin: What's next for SpaceX and investors?
Last week, an Ashburton family won 28.6 million in the Powerball draw. Just imagine how overwhelming that must be. We all dream about it, but the reality of…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on what the SpaceX IPO launch means for investors
A lot of investor attention on Wall Street - with Space X heading to market on Saturday. The debut of Elon Musk's rocket, satellite and data centre company…
- Best of Business
Bodo Lang: Massey University marketing professor on McDonalds lifting coffee prices for Super Gold cardholders
McDonalds is increasing the size of medium and large coffees for Super Gold cardholders. It had previously sold any size McCafe coffee, tea or hot chocolate…
- Best of Business
Phil Wicks: Small Business NZ Founder on the cost of businesses hiring the wrong staff
The cost of hiring the wrong person is racking up for employers, despite a large number of applicants. New Seek data estimates small and medium sized…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on ASB being ordered to pay $6.731 million for breaching anti-money laundering laws
The High Court has ordered ASB Bank to pay $6.731 million for breaching anti-money laundering laws. The penalty is the largest ever imposed by a New Zealand…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the 'choppy' markets incoming for tech sector
Experts are warning investors to brace for a 'choppy' market in the tech sector. Some of the US's leading chip companies have been getting some extra attention…
- Best of Business
Katrina King: Franchise Association of New Zealand CEO on what current economic conditions mean for businesses
Tough economic conditions over the past six years have taken a toll on the survival rate of small and medium-sized businesses, but franchises appear to have…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australian business confidence rising but staying low
New data shows Australian business confidence is on the up - but things are still gloomy across the Tasman. The survey from National Australia Bank showed its…
- Best of Business
Stephanie Tully: Jetstar CEO on the company celebrating 17 years in New Zealand
Amid the ongoing fuel crisis, Jetstar is celebrating a major milestone. The airline is celebrating 17 years of operating in New Zealand, and they see the…
- Best of Business
Peter Griffin: BusinessDesk tech columnist on Apple announcing an AI upgrade for Siri
Apple's announced digital assistant, Siri, is getting an upgrade - expected later this year - to become Siri AI. The company is promising a better artificial…
- Best of Business
Nadia Steedman: Front-Line Training chief operations officer on the launch of the 'Mini Woolies' supermarkets
Two new Woolworths stores have opened in the South Island, but you can't get the weekly shop done there. The educational facilities in Dunedin and Invercargill…
- Best of Business
Andrew Fairgray: 2degreees Chief Business Officer on the new report saying the 'return to normal' narrative is no longer influencing business confidence
New research paints a gloomier picture for business leaders. The latest 2degrees Shaping Business Report suggests optimism about post-pandemic recovery has…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what caused the latest drop in the US sharemarket
The US sharemarket took a hit last Friday, largely due to weakness in the information technology sector. The semiconductor sector was hit hard, and experts are…
- Best of Business
Grant Bradley: aviation industry expert on Air New Zealand's engine struggles easing
Air New Zealand has indicated its long-running engine problems may have come to an end. Air New Zealand’s chief has claimed the airline reached a breakthrough…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister says more details will come regarding billion dollar pre-Budget allocation
The Finance Minister is promising more detail is coming regarding a billion dollar pre-Budget allocation. The funding's been labelled 'secret spending' by…
- Best of Business
Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation advocacy manager on whether New Zealand renters are better off
A new report has found New Zealand renters are better off than a year ago. The Regional Rental Affordability Index found affordability improved in most of the…
- Best of Business
Jamie Beaton: Crimson founder on the company's plan to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs
Crimson founder Jamie Beaton is on a mission to find and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. In a joint venture with Icehouse, five high school…
- Best of Business
Kylie Freeland: McDonald’s managing director on McDonald’s NZ turning 50
This Sunday marks a historic milestone for McDonald's New Zealand, with the franchise turning 50. What began as a single restaurant in Porirua in 1976 has…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on why the Reserve Bank left the OCR on hold
Higher mortgage rates have given the Reserve Bank a 'bit of breathing space', its chief economist says. Paul Conway, one of the Reserve Bank committee members…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert ahead of the launch of the SpaceX IPO
The SpaceX IPO launch is set for later this month, and experts are speculating about what it could mean for the market. It reportedly plans to fix its IPO…
- Best of Business
Gus Gilmore: Te Pūkenga CEO on the Government's plan to increase pay for tradies working as unqualified teachers
The Education Minister wants higher pay rates for tradies who work as unqualified teachers - but she has to persuade the unions first. The PPTA says schools…
- Best of Business
Kristy Phillips: Hospitality NZ CEO on the number of businesses closing their doors over the last year
The hospitality squeeze continues, with a flurry of closures. Credit reporting agency Centrix says liquidations are up 49 percent year-on-year. Cafes…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Anthropic going public
Anthropic confirmed it filed confidential plans for an initial public offering, setting it up for what's expected to be one of the most anticipated market…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the racing industry experts who were given King’s Birthday Honours
The New Zealand racing industry has plenty of reasons to celebrate the recent King’s Birthday Honours, with three of its own recognised. David Ellis, Doug…
- Best of Business
Claire Matthews: Massey University banking professor on whether the merger between Heartland and TSB will boost competition
There's a view a merger by Heartland and TSB won't hand the big four banks a massive blow. Heartland Bank has struck a deal to buy TSB for $620 million…
- Best of Business
Cecilia Robinson: Tend CEO on the company looking to acquire Green Cross Health's medical division
Patients could soon reap the benefits if digital-first Tend Healthcare acquires Green Cross Health's medical division, The Doctors. In July, it'll ask…
- Best of Business
Vicky Price: Business Correspondent on rising oil prices, jet fuel stocks
Airlines are taking another hit from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices jumped 7% after an Iranian news agency announced Tehran has suspended…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on oil prices dropping amid Iran deal negotiations
Oil prices fell significantly throughout last week as discussions regarding an Iran deal continued to take place. Prices are down around 8 percent for the week…
- Best of Business
Joy Keene: NZ Game Developers Association executive director on New Zealand's 'booming' video game industry
It's been a breakthrough year for New Zealand’s video game industry. The sector hit its $1 billion annual revenue target two years early, and it's on track to…
- Best of Business
Don Braid: Mainfreight CEO on the company's full-year net profit taking a hit
Global transport company Mainfreight's full-year net profit is down 8.5 percent on the year earlier, despite an improved performance in the second half of the…