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 BusinessProf. Rod Jackson: Epidemiologist says we need to do orange properly before looking at other restrictions
Covid-19 cases have been climbing, with experts warning we're in a new wave of the pandemic. Some experts say New Zealand should be considered. Auckland…
Best of BusinessMathew Simister: Holiday Inn Remarkables GM on their 'Very Important Kids' program during the July holidays
One Queenstown hotel thinks the secret to getting more guests is to treat the kids like VIPs. The Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park are doing a 'Very…
Best of BusinessCraig Elliffe: Tax expert on IRD chasing unpaid taxes from construction and property investment firms
Inland Revenue is on the chase for unpaid taxes from construction and property investment firms. Deloitte has seen an increase in action and companies coming…
Best of BusinessRebecca Ingram: Tourism Industry Aotearoa says Tasman tourism meeting about making sure leaders see NZ as place to invest
The tourism bodies of New Zealand and Australia are collaborating for the first time today, as part of the Prime Minister's trip across the Tasman. The event…
Best of BusinessDoug Paulin: Sealord Chief as they ask office staff to work on the factory floor
Covid is exacerbating labour shortages, with Sealord asking office staff to work the factory floor. The company has only recruited 150 of its usual 450 workers…
Best of BusinessNeeraj Lala: Toyota NZ chief on announcement Corollas will only be sold in hybrid versions by end of next year
A shock to an old classic. Toyota's announced the most popular car model in the world - the Corolla will only be sold in hybrid-electric versions by the end of…
Best of BusinessSharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist optimistic that the country can side-step stagflation
Optimism that the country can side-step stagflation. The latest NZIER survey has business confidence at its weakest since March 2020, with 62 percent of…
Best of BusinessAndrew Kelleher: JMI Wealth Director says path to avoiding a hard economic landing continues to look tricky
The path to avoiding a hard economic landing continues to look tricky. Business confidence has plummeted back to March 2020 levels in NZIER's latest survey…
Best of BusinessRowena Duncum: The Country executive producer on Global Dairy Trade auction expectations
A GDT auction is taking place. It's expected to head largely sideways, and even with high dairy prices, the dollar is playing ball. The red meat sector has…
Best of BusinessStewart Germann: Franchising lawyer on why New Zealand has become hot property for franchising
New Zealand is being eyed up as a country of choice for overseas businesses looking to expand. A number of franchises from fast food to beauty services are set…
Best of BusinessPattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk Managing Editor on Jacinda Ardern at odds with ANZ CEO Antonia Watson
Jacinda Ardern is still in the early days of her trade trip to Australia. But it hasn't been smooth sailing. Ardern has been at odds with ANZ New Zealand chief…
Best of BusinessMatt Tolich: Trade Me Jobs sales director on job listings falling but wages climbing
Trade Me job listings have fallen 5 percent compared to this time last year. However, wages are still climbing as employers are fighting to secure talent. The…
Best of BusinessChristina Leung: NZIER principal economist says worker shortages are troubling businesses with low confidence levels
The business community is feeling downbeat. Business confidence is back down to March 2020 levels, with 62 percent of businesses expecting economic conditions…
Best of BusinessBen Kelleher: MD of Personal Banking at ANZ on their new Good Energy home loan scheme
An interest rate of 1 percent seems impossible right now, but ANZ is banking on it to get you to be more sustainable. The bank has launched their Good Energy…
Best of BusinessKeith McLaughlin: Centrix data shows lending demand in June was lower for commercial and business sectors
A lack of consumer confidence is taking a bite out of demand for credit. Centrix data shows lending demand in June was lower for the commercial and business…
Best of BusinessWendy Hewson: Recruitment expert says return of foreign workers isn't the golden ticket to fix the country's labour woes
The return of foreign workers isn't the golden ticket to fix the country's labour woes. Work visa applications have officially opened - the final part of the…
Best of BusinessDame Kerry Prendergast: Film Commission Chair says Avatar sequels have provided 20,000 jobs in past year
The Film Commission's talking up the benefits of multi-million dollar subsidies for the upcoming Avatar movies. Newstalk ZB has revealed the next four movies…
Best of BusinessKate Hawkesby: Who knew it would be so hard to build a pool?
I can see why we have resource consent issues in this country and it’s virtually impossible to get anything done. We’re experiencing it first hand at the…
Best of BusinessFran O'Sullivan: NZME Business Commentator on the upcoming Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum
Jacinda Ardern and Anthony Albanese are expected to meet at the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum at the end of the week in Sydney. It will be the first…
Best of BusinessViv Beck: Auckland mayorla candidate on why she wants to abandon light rail in favour of buses
One of the candidates in Auckland's mayoral race says trams are out, buses are in. Viv Beck wants to scrap the Government's $14 billion light rail project and…
Best of BusinessGrant Robertson: Finance Minister says he'll join Jacinda Ardern in Australia on Thursday if he recovers in time
Grant Robertson hopes to get to Australia for talks this week if he recovers from Covid-19. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister is expected to join…
Best of BusinessMichael Wood: Immigration Minister says there's no need to apologise for hospitality and tourism comments
The Immigration Minister is sticking by comments he made about the hospitality and tourism sectors. Michael Wood says businesses with low wages need to raise…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator rates the FTA between New Zealand and the EU
New Zealand and the EU has signed a free trade agreement. The Government say this will grow exports to the EU by $1.8 billion a year by 2035. However, meat and…
Best of BusinessAshley Church: Housing commentator on the Reserve Bank's tide-turning house investment comments
The Reserve Bank has said the tide has turned against housing being a one-way bet for investment. And once again, the central bank is also predicting a drop in…
Best of BusinessStephen Jacobi: NZ International Business Forum executive director says it's fair for dairy and meat to be disappointed
Business leaders say it's fair for the dairy and meat sectors to be disappointed in the new free trade agreement. It's been struck between the EU and New…
Best of BusinessPaul Conway: Economist says we have traditionally looked at houses for retirement, will have to change
The Reserve Bank is warning housing may no longer be a one-way bet for increasing wealth. Its Chief Economist Paul Conway says changes to the tax system…
Best of BusinessJamie Mackay: The Country host on whether we should be outraged at Geoff Ross
Should we be outraged at Geoff Ross for their farming techniques? The entrepreneur has been labelled woke for his sheep shearing techniques on his carbon-zero…
Best of BusinessSam Dickie: Fisher Funds Senior Portfolio Manager on the last 12 months for investing
The investing landscape has changed pretty dramatically over the last 12 months. This time last year, global inflation was running at around 2 percent, central…
Best of BusinessLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on ANZ's Business Outlook survey for June
The June ANZ Business Outlook survey showed firms are increasingly pessimistic about the outlook for activity and profitability. However, it is the ongoing…
Best of BusinessRenee Lee: Re.Stor owner on fighting back after Consumer NZ labels them dud suds
The Kiwi owners of a laundry detergent brand labelled "worse than water" in a recent Consumer NZ tests are disputing the results and could take legal action…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: The pay rises are fine, until the economic reality comes
At PWC in Britain, the pay rise coming is 9 percent. They employ about 20,000 locally. Some pay rises will be as high as 10 percent . The chairman says you…
Best of BusinessBronwyn Kivel: Victoria University professor on grant to advance the development of a safer opioid alternative
New Zealand researchers could provide the answer to the opioid epidemic. Victoria University has received a $1.2 million grant to advance the development of a…
Best of BusinessCharles Finny: Former trade negotiator says what the EU is proposing in a FTA won't be good for meat and dairy sectors
NATO's agreed to a fundamental shift to how it responds to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The alliance has wrapped up a summit in Madrid, agreeing to set up a…
Best of BusinessCraig Hudson: Managing director for Xero New Zealand on figures revealing business wages and jobs grew 5.3% in May
We have a couple of trends in the small business sector that are performing stronger than a couple of international heavyweights. Xero has released their Small…
Best of BusinessStephen Johnston: Milford Asset Management portfolio manager reviews the financial year so far at halfway
We're past the halfway point of the year. So far, sharemarkets are predicting a major economic slowdown due to effects from Covid-19 and inflation rates. The…
Best of BusinessBrad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on predictions of high levels of infrastructure investment over next decade
New analysis from Infometrics is pointing to higher levels of infrastructure investment over the next decade. $172 billion is expected to be invested by 2031…
Best of BusinessJenée Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor on three banks pausing mortgage lending for small depositors
ASB and ANZ are both pausing their mortgage lending again for anyone who has less than a 20 percent deposit. Meanwhile, Westpac is now limiting availability…
Best of BusinessGeoffrey Miller: Democracy Project international analyst says rumours around NZ-EU FTA aren't good
Apprehension for a New Zealand-European Union trade deal don't bode well. The Prime Minister is heading to Brussels tomorrow after Nato meetings in Madrid, and…
Best of BusinessGrant Bradley: NZ Herald Deputy Business Editor runs through the big changes to Air New Zealand's cabin
Air New Zealand is making some big changes to its cabin. It's the airline's biggest cabin transformation in almost 20 years. The changes include set…
Best of BusinessMike Fuge: Contact Energy Chief says potential electricity shortages shouldn't worry people
Contact Energy says potential electricity shortages shouldn't worry people. It follows concerns being averted both last night and last week, after warnings…
Best of BusinessJamie Mackay: The Country host on the FTA with the European Union going down to the wire
The FTA agreements with the EU are going down to the wire. Jacinda Ardern and Trade Minister Damien O'Connor are in Europe to meet with EU leaders to secure a…
Best of BusinessPattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on NZ King Salmon's warming sea temperature issues in Marlborough Sounds
NZ King Salmon is closing down 3 of its 4 fish farms in Marlborough Sounds. Warming sea temperatures is the reason behind this, which have become a growing…
Best of BusinessPaul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on World Bank warning of a global economic slowdown
The World Bank is warning of a global economic slowdown. They say many countries are likely to face a recession. A forecast of global growth slowing to 2.9…
Best of BusinessPaula Southgate: Hamilton mayor on city performing better economically compared to other cities
Look no further than the mighty Hamilton for how a city survives during a pandemic when it isn't locked down. A recently released 2021 economic report shows…
Best of BusinessJohnny Calley: Master Builders Association say it's the hardest it's ever been to build housing
Warnings from industry leaders that the housing crisis could deepen and property prices could spiral again, if new builds stall. The Master Builders…
Best of BusinessJohn Tookey: AUT construction expert says some companies won't survive turbulent times, drop off in new builds will occur
A construction expert says we're in for turbulent times, with the slowdown in the market for new housing builds igniting fears property prices could begin to…
Best of BusinessPaul Mackay: BusinessNZ Employment Relations Policy Manager on GPs asking to loosen approach to medical certificates
Employers are being asked to loosen their approach to medical certificates for sick leave among staff. GPs say having people coming into clinics while sick…
Best of BusinessFran O'Sullivan: NZME Business Commentator on what Ardern is hoping to get out of FTA with EU
Jacinda Ardern is on her way to Europe. One of the issues on her mind in particular is the FTA with the EU, particularly with milk and cheese. The Dairy…
Best of BusinessGeorge Carter: Managing Director of Nikko Asset Management says we need to look at the correlation of home loan rates and the Official Cash
An argument is being made for us look at the correlation of home loan rates and the Official Cash Rate, after looking at the average floating rate above the…
Best of BusinessNikki Hart: Nutritionist on Aucklanders spending more than $1 billion on takeaways each year
More than $1 billion is spent on takeaways and fast food each year in Auckland. High deprivation areas have a higher concentration of the outlets, and fewer…
Best of BusinessPaul Anderson: NZ Ski Chief Executive says they've seen a huge increase in bookings in the last week
The removal of pre-departure tests could be the bait luring Australians to New Zealand ski slopes. NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson told Tim Dower they've…
Best of BusinessStephen Todd: Nelson Federated Farmers President says stock control laws proposed by council are impossible to comply with
Farmers says a stock control bylaw being proposed by the Tasman District Council, will be impossible for farmers to comply with. The council wants farmers to…
Best of BusinessJamie Mackay: The Country host on outrage at Tasman District Council's proposed stock control bylaw
A proposed bylaw in Tasman District Council is causing outrage. The proposed law will require farmers to hold sheep 50m back from a road while shifting stock…
Best of BusinessLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on Air New Zealand relaunching 14 international routes in 16 days
Air New Zealand has announced it's relaunching 14 international routes in 16 days. It will have three-quarters of its international and domestic routes up and…
Best of BusinessGareth Kiernan: Infometrics chief forecaster on why 2022 is the worst year to buy a house since 1957
It is the worst time to be a first homebuyer since 1957 apparently. Infometrics say millennials are signing up to a lifetime of debt and they're likely to be…
Best of BusinessLisa King: AF Drinks founder on opening New Zealand's first-ever alcohol free bottleshop in Auckland
New Zealand now has it's first-ever alcohol free bottleshop. AF Drinks (Alcohol Free) opened today on Ponsonby Road. It hopes to remove some of the stigmas…
Best of BusinessRoss Taylor: Fletcher Building Chief Executive says plasterboard supply should be hitting the shelves in the next few months
Fletcher Building says the plasterboard shortage should be sorted by October. Chief Executive Ross Taylor has spoken at an investor presentation about measures…
Best of BusinessSunny Kaushal: Dairy and Business Owners Group chairman says many of the problems won't be fixed until the duopoly ends
Smaller grocery players are casting doubts on the latest moves by the supermarket giants. Foodstuffs has followed its rival Woolworths, in announcing a…
Best of BusinessChris Tennent-Brown: ASB Wealth Senior Economist says a weaker than expected New Zealand dollar augurs well for milk prices
Fonterra's Farmgate Milk Price could surpass $10 this season, according to new ASB forecasts. If it comes to pass, it will be the first double-digit payout on…
Best of BusinessChris Quin: Foodstuffs North Island chief on setting up wholesale grocery service for rival retailers
The second of the two major supermarket chains will set up a wholesale grocery service for rival retailers. It was one of the recommendations of the Commerce…