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 BusinessChris di Leva: How should we react to the Budget?
Harbour Asset Management's Chris di Leva joined Smart Money with reaction to the Budget released last week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for…
Best of BusinessBrett O'Riley: Employers and Manufacturers' Association Chief executive says high inflation and house prices mean international workers don'
Fears New Zealand's cost of living crisis is stopping international skilled workers from joining our job market. A survey by Beyond Recruitment has found about…
Best of BusinessSarah Fitt: Pharmac CEO following $191 million Budget funding boost
After extensive pressure on drug-buying agency Pharmac, and a major review of its operations, Budget 2022 has provided a big cash injection. Pharmac's…
Best of BusinessLesley Harris: First Home Buyers' Club Director says time will tell how many people will actually benefit from changes to help first home bu
Time will tell how many people will actually benefit from changes to help first home buyers. House price caps for the First Home Grant have been lifted in many…
Best of BusinessChristopher Luxon: National leader says he's supportive of the idea to scrap the school decile system
A rare moment of agreement across the political divide as National's Leader says he's supportive of the idea to scrap the school decile system. Christopher…
Best of BusinessGrant Robertson: Finance Minister faces criticism over short-term cost-of-living package
Finance Minister Grant Robertson is defending his cost-of-living Budget package from criticism it is too short-term and narrow, saying long-term or widespread…
Best of BusinessCameron Bagrie: Economist warns we must be careful not to add to aggregate demand with more spending
There are concerns there's a risk we become a mouse on an exercise wheel. One of the key parts of the Budget is a billion dollar cost-of-living package, which…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: We're writing a recipe for economic ruin
There was some sobering economic reality at my place yesterday. My street had a truck vacuum in it, sucking all the crap out of the drains, so there was the…
Best of BusinessDanika Revell: Co-founder and CEO of The Period Place charity as Spain has approved plans to become the first European country to introduce
Spain has approved plans to become the first European country to introduce unlimited paid menstrual leave in the workplace. The draft law lets women suffering…
Best of BusinessCraig Boote: Managing Director of Westfleet Seafoods on fears fishing industry could be washed up within weeks over spiralling fuel prices
The fishing industry could be washed up within weeks over spiralling fuel prices. There are suggestions that seeing as the trucking industry gets the benefit…
Best of BusinessMurray Edridge: Wellington City Missioner says low income earners are being unfairly hit by the cost of living
Hopes the poor will get a look in in today's Budget. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge says low income earners are being unfairly hit by the cost of…
Best of BusinessPaul Brislen: Telecommunications Forum CEO on new codes of conduct for telco sector
Promises have come from this country's telcos that they're cleaning up their act. The sector received a telling off from the Commerce Commission last year for…
Best of BusinessJordan Tini: Tech commentator on new research finding more than a third of Kiwis no longer watch traditional television
So it seems the internet is killing the television star. New research out from Canstar shows more than a third of Kiwis no longer watch traditional television…
Best of BusinessDan Ives: Wedbush Security managing director says Elon Musk's Twitter deal can't move forward unless Twitter proves fewer than 5 percent of
Elon Musk may be getting cold feet about buying Twitter. The Tesla CEO says the deal can't move forward unless Twitter shows public proof that fewer than 5 per…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: Are the supermarkets ripping us off? Time will tell
Whether The Warehouse dip their toes back into the supermarket game properly may well be an insight into the reality of the supermarket game in this country…
Best of BusinessDavid Vinsen: Chief Executive of the Imported Motor Vehicle Association on government's half-billion investment into electric and hybrid veh
The Government's offering up new transport options, rather than kicking people out of their cars. Included in their Emissions Reduction Plan is more than half…
Best of BusinessFinn McLaren: Singer Electrical Marketing Manager says there are issues around subsidies and supply for electric vehicle charging units
There are predictions of a few hiccups in getting more electric vehicles on our roads. The Government wants total driving cut by a fifth, and 30 percent of…
Best of BusinessBrad Olsen: Infometrics Economist says Omicron, staffing and supply chain issues are stalling economic momentum
Omicron, staffing and supply chain issues are stalling economic momentum. New research from Infometrics shows economic activity has picked up slightly in the…
Best of BusinessKirk Hope: BusinessNZ CEO says enforcing collective bargaining under Fair Pay legislation could breach international labour law
The Government's move to enforce collective bargaining under its Fair Pay legislation could breach international labour law. Collective bargaining would be…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on what to expect from the Emissions Reduction Plan on Monday
Climate Change Minister James Shaw revealed his emissions budget this week and has been backed by both Labour and National. The budgets will see New Zealand…
Best of BusinessErnie Newman: Former Food and Grocery Council head says The Warehouse have tried to enter the grocery market before but got into trouble
A consumer advocate says he'd like to see The Warehouse enter the grocery game. The retailer says it is considering getting into groceries, amid price concerns…
Best of BusinessJohn MacDonald: Time for a Christchurch super city?
I’ve got that old saying about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing in my head today. And it’s why I think we need to seriously consider…
Best of BusinessTerry Taylor: NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences President on petition delivered to Health Minister calling for a review of the pro
Our lab workers have had to go to Parliament for the first time in 75 years to have their voices heard, saying the industry is in crisis. The NZ Institute of…
Best of BusinessMalcolm Bailey: Dairy Companies Association Chairman says NZ launching trade dispute against Canada over export market access is a good move
New Zealand is launching a trade dispute against Canada in a growing dairy backlash. The Government's arguing we don't have as much access to the Canadian…
Best of BusinessNicola Willis: National finance spokesperson says now is not the time for government to spend up large in the Budget
National says the Government needs to rein in spending to avoid adding to the inflationary pressures facing the economy. Finance Minister Grant Robertson is…
Best of BusinessMike Hosking: Are we really being ripped off by the supermarkets?
Funny how the old corporate world works. Countdown freezes prices. Or do they? No one believes them, thus indicating whether they are or not, they are probably…
Best of BusinessPhil O'Reilly: Former Business New Zealand boss on immigration reset
The Government has laid out a raft of new changes to our immigration and border rules. Urgently needed workers will now be allowed to come through a green list…
Best of BusinessBrent Kleiss: Chief executive of NZ Pork on petition asking for imported pork to be required to meet the same welfare standards as local por
The Government is currently reviewing our pig farming practices and wants to tighten the welfare requirements for our local pork. NZ Pork has made it clear…
Best of BusinessJohn Murphy: Vegetables New Zealand Director says supermarket discounts are good news for shoppers
It's hoped the supermarket industry’s pledges to reduce prices will help all of us at the checkout. Foodstuffs is taking an average 10 percent off more than…
Best of BusinessChris Whelan: Universities New Zealand chief executive says NZ is back in the market for international students
Universities face work to get fully back into the international student market. The borders fully re-open from August - two months ahead of schedule…
Best of BusinessAaron Martin: Immigration Lawyer says new settings 'unfair' for professions not on Govt's 'green list'
A thumbs down for the Government's new immigration settings. The new range of measures includes one visa for accredited employers and a green list of…
Best of BusinessPatrick Phelps: Minerals West Coast Manager on controversial new mine given green light at Cape Foulwind
A controversial new proposed mine on the West Coast has been given the green light. Westland Mineral Sands has been given consent to mine 500,000 tonnes of…
Best of BusinessKate Hawkesby: Simon Henry's to Nadia backlash has been pathetic
There’s a lot to unpack with Simon Henry and his attempt at an apology to Nadia Lim. I don’t know if two minutes on the radio will do justice to how much there…
Best of BusinessJason Ennor: CEO of My HR on US and UK seeing record low sickness absences as people worked from home
When you're working from home anyway, how sick do you have to be to actually call in sick? The US and UK have seen record low sickness absences as people…
Best of BusinessPooja Sundar: D&L Law Partner says we have to be concerned with people leaving the country who we haven't been able to replace
News of a full border re-opening is being met with a warm welcome. Our newsroom understands Jacinda Ardern will announce an early border opening for July…
Best of BusinessCarrie Hurihanganui: Auckland Aiport Chief Executive on $300 new transport hub and smart baggage system
Auckland Airport is spending $300 million on a transport hub and setting aside land for light rail near its international terminal. The company is also…
Best of BusinessStephen England-Hall: RealNZ Chief Executive says there are hopes for the tourism sector ahead of looser border settings
There are high hopes for the tourism sector ahead of looser border settings. Our newsroom understands the Prime Minister will announce today an acceleration in…
Best of BusinessJulie White: Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive says immigration reset means many businesses will never recover from Covid-19
The Government is expected to open the door to more highly skilled workers, but not to unskilled hospitality workers. Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: Government wastage is totally out of control
A couple of good clues as to why we have such wastage of government spending and how the psychology behind it suggests it won't change under the current…
Best of BusinessGeoff Cooper: NZ Infrastructure Commission General Manager of Strategy on potential congestion charge for Auckland CBD
The Government is expected to announce next week that a congestion charge is on the cards for Auckland's CBD in 2025. A Helen Clark Foundation report has found…
Best of BusinessShamubeel Eaqub: Sense Partners economist says we could see a wave of "zombie" businesses closing as wage subsidies end
It has been revealed nearly fifty percent of our jobs were protected by the Government’s wage subsidies at some point last year. This resulted in less people…
Best of BusinessGraham Burke: Construction Industry Council Chair says Government's Apprenticeship Boost scheme a good start but it won't fix the skills sho
The construction industry is ageing more quickly than new people coming on board. The Government's Apprenticeship Boost scheme, which supports trades training…
Best of BusinessDavid Cooper: Malcolm Pacific Immigration Chief Executive says visa policies during the pandemic have caused big issues
The Government’s Covid-19 policies are being blamed for creating an international visa backlog. Over the past two years there’s been a surge in overseas…
Best of BusinessChris Hipkins: Education Minister says Government could make its apprenticeship boost scheme permanent
The Government could make its apprenticeship boost scheme permanent. $230 million will be put towards the scheme, which will now run until the end of next…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on how companies may be affected by Government's climate initiatives
The Government looks set to announce a range of climate initiatives and plans this month ahead of the Budget. That might mean companies may have to check their…
Best of BusinessAlan McDonald: Employers & Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy and Strategy on MYOB survey showing how businesses and consumers want
We’re a couple of weeks away from this year’s Budget and people are starting to come out with wish lists for Finance Minister Grant Robertson. An MYOB survey…
Best of BusinessRuth Stokes: Queenstown Chamber of Commerce CEO on town's new level of worker shortage
Queenstown businesses have reached a new level of worker shortage. There are now more job vacancies than ratepayers in Queenstown and hospitality venues are…
Best of BusinessFrances Sweetman: Milford Asset Management portfolio manager says their sustainability policy is to try and work with DGL instead of excludi
KiwiSaver provider Milford Asset Management will try to engage with DGL Group instead of excluding the company. Company CEO Simon Henry made offensive comments…
Best of BusinessMatthew Lane: Nite n' Day general manager says Countdown price freeze is likely down to The Warehouse breaking into the market
Competition may be the driving force behind Countdown's decision to drive down costs. From Monday, the supermarket chain will freeze prices on 500 essential…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: Gender pay gap solutions are artificial
Another of these strange made up claims this week masquerading as a report that suggests the solving of a problem, or perceived problem, can only happen if we…
Best of BusinessOliver Mander: Shareholder's Association chief says Simon Henry's comments toward Nadia Lim are insulting to Lim, but to shareholders also
The backlash against racist and sexist criticism of Nadia Lim continues. Chemicals company CEO Simon Henry described Lim as a piece of "Eurasian fluff" - and…
Best of BusinessGrzegorz Sochaki: Project leader on robot chef that can taste food and guide you on how much seasoning to use
If you struggle in the kitchen, then there could be a solution for you just around the corner. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have designed a robot…
Best of BusinessRupert Carlyon: Founder and managing director of Koura on starting the world's second carbon neutral cryptocurrency fund
How would you feel about investing your KiwiSaver in Bitcoin? A KiwiSaver scheme is launching the world's second carbon neutral cryptocurrency fund. Koura is…
Best of BusinessJim van der Poel: Dairy New Zealand chair says the punt came off in eradicating Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand
What started as a punt, has become a relatively successful story in eradicating Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand. Only one farm is left with the infection. It…
Best of BusinessJon Duffy: Consumer New Zealand Chief Executive says Countdown price-freeze is masking the real problem, which is that the industry is broke
A gesture from one of our two big supermarket companies. Countdown says from Monday, it's putting a price freeze on 500 items for the winter months, everything…
Best of BusinessBryce Wilkinson: Former Treasury director says the Auditor-General is right to raise concerns around Covid response fund spending
The Auditor-General's being commended for flagging issues with the transparency of the Government's Covid response fund. John Ryan has written to Treasury…
Best of BusinessTony Mitchell: Bike Auckland Chair hopes newly-approved Auckland cycleway extensions will provide safety for city commuters
There are hopes newly-approved Auckland cycleway extensions will provide safety for city commuters. Plans for more than $300 million in funding was endorsed by…
Best of BusinessLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on supply shortage problem at PlaceMakers
There is a bit of a supply shortage problem going on at PlaceMakers. On Thursday, PlaceMackers delivered price rise and shortage information, revealing Pink…
Best of BusinessMark Knoff-Thomas: Newmarket Business Association chief executive on Auckland Transport's plan to oversee solutions to ram raids
Auckland Transport are appointing a designated staff member to oversee solutions to the recent ram raids experienced by local businesses. In some cases…
Best of BusinessNadia Lim: Chef and My Food Bag founder says she's speaking up for people who feel they don't have a voice
Nadia Lim isn't sweating the small stuff after a Kiwi richlister brought up her attire and race in an interview. DGL Group CEO Simon Henry claimed in an NBR…