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 BusinessNick Leggett: Transport NZ Chief Executive says Government's right to examine supply chain issues, but it shouldn't intervene
The Government's being told to stick to being a regulator when it comes to freight. The Ministry of Transport has been consulting on New Zealand’s supply chain…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on the He Waka Eke Noa pricing plan for farmers
The Government is now looking at farmers’ recommendations on how to price farming emissions. This week’s He Waka Eke Noa report has suggested individual…
Best of BusinessJulien Leys: Building Industry Federation chief executive on whether our building code with plasterboard is unnecessarily restrictive
The fallout from the GIB shortage continues. Simplicity Living has cancelled all orders for New Zealand-made GIB boards in favour of imported plasterboard from…
Best of BusinessDan Ives: Twitter to provide Elon Musk with raw daily tweet data
Twitter plans to offer Elon Musk access to its "firehose" of raw data on hundreds of millions of daily tweets in an effort to push forward the Tesla…
Best of BusinessAndrew Dickens: For a trading nation, the Port of Auckland drama is inexcusable
It’s fair to say I’ve been seething for the past few days since the news that Ports of Auckland’s automation experiment has crashed and burned. This was a…
Best of BusinessDaniel Pepperell: Wall and Ceiling Industries President says buying plasterboard from overseas doesn't necessarily mean it will be cheaper
To build a house, we may have to look foreign. Gib plasterboard is still in very short supply, with reports of it being stockpiled and stolen. Builder…
Best of BusinessCarl Taylor: Combined Building Supplies Chair says the industry has to look at alternative methods to GIB
The building industry will have to think outside the tool box. GIB is still desperately sought after across the country, with reports of it being stockpiled…
Best of BusinessSir Roger Douglas: Former Finance Minister says we need to put inflation in context of the next 30 or 40 years
A suggestion the latest OECD report is disappointing and doesn't go far enough. The report says the Government needs to do more to assist in the inflation…
Best of BusinessCameron Bagrie: Economist says we need inflation assistance to be targeted to those most in need
A scatter gun approach to the cost of living. The OECD says the Government needs to do more in the inflation fight, arguing for more targeted spending, which…
Best of BusinessSirma Karapeeva: Meat Industry Association Chief urges government to support alternative to Emissions Trading Scheme
The red meat sector is urging the Government to support the alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme. Overseen by He Waka Eke Noa, it would see those in the…
Best of BusinessJonathan Eriksen: Superannuation expert says there's no need to worry over worse than expected performance of the Super Fund
A call for calm, over the worse than expected performance of the Super Fund. New Treasury figures show the Super Fund has underperformed forecasts, adding $2.2…
Best of BusinessAaron Martin: Immigration lawyer says working remotely is being expanded to overseas
The idea of remote earning is being expanded to overseas. Tech companies overseas already hire remote workers to take advantage of lower pay rates, but this is…
Best of BusinessJacqueline Rowarth: Dairy NZ farmer-elected director says farmers are doing their best to reduce emissions
Farmers say they're ahead of the pack when it comes to cutting emissions Their alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme recommends letting farmers count…
Best of BusinessTim Dower: He Waka Eke Noa isn't perfect, but it's a stake in the ground
There's a sense of if you can't beat them join them about this He Waka Eke Noa scenario. Farmers don't like it much, but they do know they're not going to be…
Best of BusinessMike Joy: Freshwater ecologist says herd sizes must be diminished 12-fold to combat water nitrate levels
Freshwater ecologist Mike Joy has been forthright in his opinion about the nitrate levels in Canterbury waters, stating that herd sizes and unsuitable farm…
Best of BusinessAndrew Barnes: The 4 Day Week founder on UK trial of the four day working week
After a long weekend, the idea of a regular four day working week often sounds more tempting. In the UK, more than 3000 workers are taking part in the world's…
Best of BusinessHeather du Plessis-Allan: Whether you work from home or not will become a test of your ambition
A headline this weekend caught my eye: “The office monsters are trying to claw their way back to 2019”. The office monsters are apparently the corporate…
Best of BusinessPattrick Smellie: BusinessDesk managing editor on Sky TV's talks to acquire MediaWorks
Sky TV has confirmed it is in talks to buy mediaworks. Due diligence is still underway, and a deal is not certain, the company says. If a deal does go ahead…
Best of BusinessRick Shera: Former NetSafe Chair has concerns for cyber-bullying over Apple's latest message update
Concerns for cyber-bullying, after Apple shares plans to offer a new delete and edit feature in iMessage. It's part of its upcoming software upgrades, and will…
Best of BusinessMichael Barnett: Auckland Business Chamber CEO says the environment businesses operate in has been taken away
Auckland Central businesses feel let down by the targeted hardship fund. Only just over half of applications to the CRL Targeted Hardship Fund has been paid or…
Best of BusinessSean Sweeney: City Rail Link CEO says funding applications require a reasonable amount of information from small businesses
The City Rail Link say they are working very hard to get money out the door. More than half of applications to the CRL Targeted Hardship Fund have been paid or…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on the reach of supermarkets' powers being revealed
The law to ban supermarket covenants is going through Parliament at the moments. Over the course of the week, we learned some interesting things about the…
Best of BusinessAshley Church: Property commentator discusses reports that national house prices have fallen in the last quarter
According two new reports out this week, national house values have fallen in the latest quarter. One Roof's Velocity House Value Index and the latest Core…
Best of BusinessRob Beaglehole: Dental Association spokesperson says we need to treat sugar the same as tobacco
Calls for a sugary drink tax in New Zealand. New research has found sugary drink taxes decrease sales by 15 per cent - without causing job losses or hindering…
Best of BusinessBernie Smith: Transitional housing provider says we've gone from a housing crisis to a catastrophe
A transitional housing provider says we've gone from a housing crisis to a catastrophe. The amount of money set aside for transitional housing has nearly…
Best of BusinessElaine Rush: Emeritus Professor of Nutrition on research showing taxes on sugary drinks result in a drop in sales by 15 per cent
New research shows taxes on sugary drinks, result in a drop in sales by 15 per cent. AUT Emeritus Professor of Nutrition Elaine Rush told Kate Hawkesby how…
Best of BusinessAnnabel Turley: Christchurch Business Association says they have been given a large chunk of government funding for Te Kaha stadium
More money to go down the drain, as Christchurch City Council prepares for another round of consultation over the city's costly stadium. Some Cantabrians are…
Best of BusinessKate Hawkesby: Air NZ and Auckland Airport are not up to scratch
My brother travels a lot, both for work and to visit family – my nephew's studying in the US. So he’s made about three trips during the pandemic, done MIQ…
Best of BusinessSamantha Barakat-Light: Body Catalyst Founder and CEO on opening their first clinic in New Zealand
The wellness industry is very much a booming sector overseas, with studies showing more people have experienced unwanted weight changes and are wanting to move…
Best of BusinessRoger Wyllie: Capitol Cinema co-owner on ID app trialled in UK aiming to stop kids sneaking into R rated movies
Seeing kids sneak into R rated movies is not a new phenomenon, but the UK are attempting to crack down on it. They're trialling an ID app called Yoti that…
Best of BusinessSharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist says outlook for residential construction is not looking too promising
The outlook for residential construction is not looking too promising. It comes as the ANZ Business Outlook Survey has shown the situation is "rapidly…
Best of BusinessBrad Olsen: Infometrics economist says supply chains could continue to be an issue, even as Shanghai port re-opens
Supply chains could continue to be an issue, even as the world's biggest port re-opens today. Shanghai has been operating at a severely reduced capacity since…
Best of BusinessJohn MacDonald: Our shopping is part of the supermarket problem too
I think I’m going to be the only person in New Zealand today who’s going to say ‘stop beating up on the supermarkets’. The Government has released details of…
Best of BusinessDoug Jarvis: Butcher on community rallying behind him to offer support after burglaries
We've seen the ugly side of the community lately with the ram raids and shootings and burglaries galore. But here is an example of the good side. Doug Jarvis…
Best of BusinessMarcus Hull: Mortgage broker says they are seeing increased demand for their services as mortgage and deposit rates rise
Banks are starting to lift mortgage and deposit rates following last week's OCR hike. Kiwibank has lifted its headline rate for a two-year fixed mortgage to…
Best of BusinessKatherine Rich: Food and Grocery Council Chief Executive says new supermarket regulations will start to make real change for the sector
The Food and Grocery Council says new supermarket regulations will start to make real change for the sector. The Government will put in a regulator, a code of…
Best of BusinessSteve Jurkovich: Kiwibank chief executive says they expect to see further hikes to Official Cash Rate
Banks are preparing for further hikes following last week's Official Cash Rate increase. The Reserve Bank raised the OCR by 50 basis points to 2 per cent and…
Best of BusinessMatthew Lane: Night 'n Day General Manager says yearly check-ups will keep supermarkets on notice and following the rules
There is confidence the Government's moves to tackle the supermarket duopoly will increase competition. It's matched 12 of the 14 Commerce Commission…
Best of BusinessHannah McQueen: OCR and what can you focus on in the doom and gloom?
Hannah McQueen is talking about the latest OCR increase - the fact that rates are rising faster, and likely higher than previously predicted will be scary for…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on three events putting pressure on the oil and gas industry
Oil companies are making a killing at the moment. The price of Brent crude is back to levels not seen since early March. But there are a few developments this…
Best of BusinessTony Alexander: Independent economist on why banks haven't changed their mortgage rates yet
Apart from Kiwibank, no other bank appears to have changed their mortgage rates. Kiwibank has changed theirs as a result of the OCR going up on Wednesday. But…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: If you look hard enough, you'll find deals on the supermarket shelves
The Herald focus team did what we should all be doing. They worked out exactly how much you can save at a supermarket if you want to. Complaining about the…
Best of BusinessShannon Barlow: Frog Recruitment’s Managing Director on report finding flexible work hours open up 45 percent more of the labour market
If you're an employer and offer flexible working options, you're opening up the talent pool by 45 percent. Frog Recruitment has released their 2022 Employment…
Best of BusinessCallum McCallum: McCallam Brothers Managing Director says here are very few sources of consented sand which is suitable for the work they do
Auckland's biggest supplier of sand for concrete is still fighting to mine a beach north of the city. Earlier this month, McCallum Brothers was declined…
Best of BusinessAndrew Bayly: National MP says construction issues could tip the economy into recession
Disagreement between National and the construction industry, over the pressures facing the industry. The recent liquidation of Tauranga's Oceanside Homes and…
Best of BusinessSunny Kaushal: Dairy Owners' Association say $6 million to stop ram raids is too little too late
Dairy owners say $6 million to stop ram raids is too little too late. The funding, announced by Police Minister Poto Williams, will come out of the Proceeds of…
Best of BusinessGraham Burke: Construction Industry Council Chair says talking about a recession, is the right way to go about making one happen
Disagreement between National and the construction industry, over the pressures facing the industry. The recent liquidation of Tauranga's Oceanside Homes and…
Best of BusinessTim Dower: Things are looking dicey for our construction industry
I really feel for these guys throwing in the towel on their construction businesses, there's been a spate in the past couple of weeks. Most recently, not a big…
Best of BusinessCaitlin Taylor: Personal stylist on Love Island dressing contestants in second hand clothes from e-Bay
The reality dating show Love Island will dress contestants in second hand clothes from e-Bay. The show has attracted criticism in the past for having clothing…
Best of BusinessAdrian Orr: Reserve Bank Governor following Official Cash Rate raise to 2 percent
The Central Bank has raised the Official Cash Rate to 2 percent in a bid to drive down our 31-year-high inflation. Its forecasts of how high the OCR might rise…
Best of BusinessCheryl Adamson: Parnell Business Association welcomes funding support for businesses to protect against ramraids
The Government is expected to announce funding for security measures that protect businesses from ramraids. Parnell Business Association's Cheryl Adamson told…
Best of BusinessCarol Ward: Record year for Mount Maunganui-based kiwifruit marketer Zespri
Zespri's global revenue has topped $4 billion for the first time despite a challenging season, the company says. The kiwifruit marketer credited a record crop…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: Hermit Kingdom attitude is now haunting us
It's coming home to roost a bit, isn't it? What we have learned this week, whether it be the construction company now in Britain looking to fill the jobs here…
Best of BusinessBodo Lang: Marketing expert says outrage caused by the Coca-Cola's move shows how attached people become to brands
Some consumers are fizzed up over Cocoa-Cola's decision to axe two of its soft drink flavours. Coke Zero and Coke No Sugar will soon be merged into one new…
Best of BusinessJohn Bolton: Mortgage broker predicts mortgage rates to be above 6 percent over the coming year
The Reserve Bank is expected to lift the OCR to its highest level again since 2016. Economists are predicting a lift of another 50 basis points, trying to cool…
Best of BusinessGreg Harford: Retail NZ CEO on online shopping increase of 31 percent this quarter compared to the previous year
New data suggests our shopping habits have changed for the long term. NZ Post's e-Commerce Spotlight report says online shopping was up 31 percent this…
Best of BusinessJarrod Kerr: Kiwibank Chief Economist says central bank is likely to continue with 25 basis point rises until the OCR hits three percent
Prepare for interest rates to keep rising. The Reserve Bank is expected to raise the Official Cash Rate by another 50 basis points today, to counter rising…
Best of BusinessEmma Higgins: Senior agricultural analyst says the situation in China has weakened demand for milk solids leading to drop in market price
Seismic global events have left the milk market on shaky ground. Rabobank's latest Dairy Seasonal Outlook forecasts a farmgate milk price of $9 per kilogram of…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: Job numbers are the last economic domino to fall
The saving grace, they say, as we plummet towards who knows where economically, is that we all have jobs. Growth might be slow or non-existent, the cost of…
Best of BusinessCraig Renney: What are the implications of the cost of living payment?
CTU economist Craig Renney joined the Weekend Collective to discuss the recently announced cost of living payment that will be received by all Kiwis earning…