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
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on further date blowout on City Rail Link
Auckland's city rail link is the project that appears to keep bleeding money with no end date in sight. The public has already been warned there has been a…
- Best of Business
Greg Harford: Retail NZ CEO says he supports axing Covid-19 rules
The green light could be given to get rid of the traffic light framework. Our newsroom understands Cabinet will be deciding on a recommendation to scrap the…
- Best of Business
Kirk Hope: Business NZ CEO says numbers showing businesses feel council support has got worse are not surprising
Small businesses are hoping to enact change in this year's local body elections. More than nine in 10 small to medium sized business owners are planning to…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald business editor explains hidden merits to David Parker's dead tax bill
How much merit did Revenue Minister David Parker's now dead tax bill actually have? Yep - the proposal to increase GST on some investment fund fees. NZ Herald…
- Best of Business
Max Washer: White Lady Head of Operations on potential closure to due council stoush
The White Lady is a food truck in Auckland that has been operating for 74 years. Back in June/July they were battling with Auckland Council who told them to…
- Best of Business
Terry Baucher: Tax expert says tax brackets have not changed in more than a decade and action is needed urgently
The Government is rejecting calls to review tax brackets amid rising inflation. New Zealand’s marginal tax rate system means higher rates of tax are applied as…
- Best of Business
Gerard van Tilborg: North Harbour Rugby chairman as first of Silver Lake money about to be dished out
The first of New Zealand Rugby’s Silver Lake money is about to be dished out. Yesterday applications opened for clubs all around the country to get a slice of…
- Best of Business
Robyn Walker: Deloitte partner calls for review to tax brackets amid rising inflation
Calls for the Government to review tax brackets amid rising inflation. New Zealand’s marginal tax rate system means higher rates of tax are applied as someone…
- Best of Business
Tina Smith: Tertiary Education Union president says now is not the right time for AUT to cut staff
Potential job losses at AUT are being seen as a tragedy for staff and students. Up to 230 staff could be cut. A drop in student numbers and growing economic…
- Best of Business
Chris Whelan: Universities NZ Director on AUT's job cuts despite $12 million surplus
Tough times for universities are forcing them to look at their balance sheet. Around 230 staff face redundancy at AUT, despite the university having a $12…
- Best of Business
Andrew King: Property Investors’ Federation on banks coming down hard on investors when it comes to debt
Banks are apparently starting to come down on property investors when it comes to their levels of debt. Rising interest rates and rents not increasing at the…
- Best of Business
Claire Matthews: University researcher on fears the impact inflation could have on those saving for retirement
Fears for the impact inflation could have on those saving for retirement. Massey University research shows the savings needed for retirees to fund a basic…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Sir Ray Avery is part of a growing trend
I feel bad that Sir Ray Avery is leaving New Zealand. He is far from the only one; the stats tell you the embarrassing story which is that we currently have…
- Best of Business
Amanda Harcourt: Supreme Winner Kea Awards says she was in awe of other winners
Very proud, but some serious imposter syndrome at play for Miranda Harcourt. She's been named Supreme Winner at last night's Kea Awards in Auckland. They…
- Best of Business
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Economist says our income to housing affordability ratio is far worse than other countries
A kiwi in the coal mine. That's what the Financial Times is calling New Zealand's housing market in a video that warns other countries to take heed of our…
- Best of Business
Chris Alderson: Construction Health and Safety Council CEO addresses industry's health and safety crisis
Organisations representing the construction sector are standing together to address the industry's health and safety crisis. They want a renewed focus, as…
- Best of Business
Lynda Keene: Tourism Export Council CEO says 20% of US travellers are looking elsewhere for summer stay
Fears confusion with our Covid restrictions could be turning off international tourists. The Tourism Export Council says around 20 percent of US travellers…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Spectacular U-turn shows an out of touch Government
As far as U-turns go, this is a spectacular one. On Tuesday, the Government announce GST on KiwiSaver fees, Wednesday afternoon they're gone, so less than 24…
- Best of Business
Christopher Luxon: National leader says Kiwisaver is about setting people up for retirement, shouldn't mess with it
Chris Luxon says KiwiSaver is about making sure people are set up for their retirement and we shouldn't be messing around with it. The Government has u-turned…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Haar: Human resources expert suggests teens could help address staff shortages
A suggestion has come that having 13 to 15 year olds help address staff shortages is actually a good idea. The Australian Retailers Association is floating the…
- Best of Business
Keith McLaughlin: Centrix director on data showing an increase in the number of people not clearing debts
A rise in the number of people not clearing their debts. The latest data from Centrix shows consumer arrears increasing 13 percent year-on-year in July, while…
- Best of Business
Lucy Elwood: Cancer Society CEO says widespread availability of cigarettes has normalised a harmful product
No sympathy for big corporates opposing a Government bill limiting the number of tobacco retailers. Foodstuffs and Z Energy are lobbying against the proposal…
- Best of Business
John Berry: Kiwisaver provider Pathfinder's CEO says GST tax tidy up is quite brutal
An attempt to tidy up the GST charged on different investment products. The Government is planning to impose GST on Kiwisaver fees, which will give it an extra…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: This Government is simply dishonest about tax
Once again, I find myself a bit confounded by a government that seems, at heart, basically dishonest. Can they argue the GST treatment on KiwiSaver fees is not…
- Best of Business
Rupert Carlyon: Koura Wealth MD says there is no real reason for Govt to impose GST on KiwiSaver fees
The Government's plan to impose GST on KiwiSaver fees is being labelled by some as a tax grab. The move, which would kick in from April 2026, will give the…
- Best of Business
Jade Gray: Off-Piste Provisions founder on deal to create alternative meat from fermented bio-waste
A Kiwi company has struck a deal with researchers in Singapore to create alternative meat from fermented bio-waste. Off-Piste Provisions is also raising $15…
- Best of Business
Nick Leggett: Transport NZ CEO says diesel has become a significant business cost for some operators
Transport NZ says soaring diesel prices are putting transport operators out of business. Average diesel prices have hit over $2.50, compared with the average…
- Best of Business
David Parker: Revenue Minister accepts criticism of the cost of living payment
The Revenue Minister is accepting criticism of the cost of living payment. The Auditor-General says it should have been rolled out more carefully. New…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Economics of idiots causing labour shortage
The statistic that should send a chill through every one of us was the one you might have seen over the weekend from a construction company. They hired 52…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Kerr: Kiwibank chief economist on forecasts saying fixed term mortgages rates may already have peaked
Fixed term mortgage rates may already have peaked according to Kiwibank's latest forecasts. It also says the Reserve Bank may start lowering interest rates in…
- Best of Business
Fran O'Sullivan: NZME Business Commentator on why she thinks Sir Ray Avery is ditching NZ
Philanthropist Sir Ray Avery is packing his bags for Australia. He says he's sick of the tall poppy syndrome here, whereas Australians hold their high…
- Best of Business
Grant Robertson: Finance Minister says there have been talks around improving for next cost-of-living payment
New screening measures have been launched ahead of the second cost of living payment. The next $116 payment is due out on Thursday. The Auditor-General says…
- Best of Business
Nick Leggett: Transporting NZ CEO quietly confident fuel tax relief will be extended
Transporting NZ is quietly confident the Government will extend fuel tax relief past January. A litre of diesel is just nine cents a litre cheaper than regular…
- Best of Business
Andrew Dickens: We are talking ourselves into hard times
So last week, my opening comments centred on how opposition MPs and anti-government commentators have been fear mongering about the state of the economy. When…
- Best of Business
Diane Williamson: Bluff fish and chip shop owner unable to escape inflation, forced to hike prices
New Zealanders may have to cut back on the Friday night fish and chips. The country's favourite takeaway has been unable to escape the grip of inflation, as…
- Best of Business
Kerri Nuku: Nurses Organisation to rally nationwide demanding pay equity for primary care nurses
There is a push to end an unfair pay gap within the nursing industry. Rallies will be held nationwide today; as primary healthcare nurses demand Te Whatu Ora…
- Best of Business
Kate Hawkesby: Dire straits for Queenstown hospo is heartbreaking
“All I do is cry” was the quote that broke my heart over the weekend. The ODT had a story about the state of Queenstown at the moment, and it talked to café…
- Best of Business
Satish Ranchhod: Westpac Senior Economist thinks there won't be a recession, but growth will be slow
Doom and gloom is on the economic horizon. Higher interest rates, lower spending and low population growth are all pointing towards a higher chance of…
- Best of Business
Sunny Kausha: Dairy and Business Owners Group Chair says we need a solution to ram raids now
Dairy owners fear someone will die as ram raids surge. There's been a 400 percent increase in the crime in the last five years, with the Police Minister…
- Best of Business
Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist says signs are pointing towards a greater chance of a recession
Economic signs are pointing towards a greater chance of a recession. Stats NZ data shows sales slumped 2.3 percent over the last quarter, for a second…
- Best of Business
Greg Foran: Air NZ CEO says they are hoping for a better year ahead
Air New Zealand is hoping for a better year ahead. The airline made a net loss of $591 million in the year to June, up from a loss of $292 million in the…
- Best of Business
Graham Burke: Construction Industry Council concerned about lack of certainty over delivery of infrastructure projects
Concerns about a lack of certainty over the delivery of infrastructure projects. Waka Kotahi is warning the Government's $8.7 billion NZ Upgrade transport…
- Best of Business
Kirdan Lees: Sense Partners economist on data showing two job vacancies per unemployed person
Do we want a big country or not? That's the question the Reserve Bank is posing. It comes as data shows there are now two job vacancies per unemployed person…
- Best of Business
David Clark: Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister on latest government supermarket intervention
The latest government move to try and bring down prices at the supermarket checkout has been announced. It will force Countdown and Foodstuffs to sell…
- Best of Business
Greg Harford: Retail NZ CEO says the best way to reduce supermarket prices is to drop GST
More calls have come for reduced taxes to help ease supermarket prices. The Government will force Foodstuffs and Countdown to sell groceries to competitors at…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: Government's moves won't mean cheaper groceries
Communism has finally arrived and it's lobbed into Countdown. Or New World or Pak'nSave. Anyway, your can of beans will now be priced by David Clark. I am…
- Best of Business
Jon Ives: CEO at OneStaff on Govts cost cutting on recruiting staff for public sector
New fears that the Government's cost cutting on recruiting staff for public sector could lead to an already hopeless and unstaffed workforce. The Government is…
- Best of Business
Sarah Balle: Supie founder says there is yet to be someone with deep enough pockets to take on supermarkets
Stacks of cash will be required to create competition against the supermarket duopoly. The Government is requiring Countdown and Foodstuffs to provide…
- Best of Business
Heather du Plessis-Allan: Immigration is a chicken and egg situation
I like the idea of letting another 4 million people into New Zealand in the next ten years, that doesn’t scare me. I know that’s going to scare a lot of…
- Best of Business
Paul Conway: RBNZ chief economist on New Zealand's 'optimum population'
The Government is preparing to respond to a Productivity Commission inquiry encouraging more rapid but more carefully planned immigration. The Reserve Bank…
- Best of Business
Tony Alexander: Economist's mortgage adviser survey shows first home buyers are coming back to the market
Further insights into the property market from economist Tony Alexander. His mortgage adviser survey showed first home buyers are coming back into the market…
- Best of Business
Grant Leach: 26 Seasons CEO on their $5.5m capital raise sought for expansion
Farming technology company 26 Seasons will seek $5.5 million in a Series A funding round next week aimed at advancing its plans for its vertical farming…
- Best of Business
Nick Goodall: CoreLogic Head of Research on analysis showing river flooding homes costing $100 million a year
Adjusting residential homes to climate change will probably take some time to implement. CoreLogic analysis has revealed that river flooding in homes is…
- Best of Business
Patrick Smellie: Heartland Group reveals record profit and $200m capital raise
Heartland Group Holdings plans to raise $200 million in new capital off the back of a record financial result. The listed financial firm which owns Heartland…
- Best of Business
Jarrod Harr: Professor of Human Resource Management on 'quiet quitting'
As workers return to offices after two years of lockdowns and restrictions, the trend of "quiet quitting" is sweeping through workplaces around the world. But…
- Best of Business
Neil Holdom: New Plymouth mayor says his region isn't getting a fair deal on infrastructure spending
New Plymouth's mayor believes his region isn't getting a fair deal on infrastructure spending. More than half a billion dollars in fuel tax raised in the…
- Best of Business
John MacDonald: Govt ideology putting money in the bank
Was I the only person in the country taken by complete surprise yesterday when Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced that the Government is going to spend…
- Best of Business
Sam Stubbs: Simplicity CEO on Govt's $2.1 billion purchase of Kiwibank
The head of one of our biggest KiwiSaver providers fears Kiwibank will effectively become a zombie bank. The Government has spent $2.1 billion to buy the…
- Best of Business
David Tripe: Banking expert says the Government's purchase of Kiwibank is a risk
Keeping Kiwibank New Zealand publicly owned has been dubbed a political move. The Government has announced its intent to purchase 100 percent of Kiwibank for…
- Best of Business
Steve Cranston: Groundswell spokesperson on claims the Government will pull the pin on He Waka Eke Noa
Groundswell is sticking to its claim that the Government's ready to pull the pin on He Eke Waka Noa. However, Climate Change Minister James Shaw has assured…