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 BusinessMike's Minute: We should understand the economic basics
The Anthony Albanese gaff over employment and the cash rate, in some respects, is why we end up the way we do. Adrian Orr today increases our cash rate yet…
Best of BusinessSharon Zollner: Chief economist at ANZ predicts Official Cash Rate lift
All eyes will be on whether the reserve bank lifts the OCR by 25 or 50 points. Chief economist at ANZ Sharon Zollner joined Mike Hosking with her predicition…
Best of BusinessRene de Monchy: Tourism New Zealand chief on marketing efforts to draw Australians to our shores being ramped up
Marketing efforts to draw Australians to our shores are being ramped up. Fully vaccinated Aussies can now come here without needing to isolate, with the first…
Best of BusinessGreg Harford: Retail NZ chief on David Jones leaving Lambton Quay in Wellington
David Jones is leaving Lambton Quay in Wellington. This will leave a huge hole in the city as in a short time, David Jones became a flagship store for the…
Best of BusinessKate Hawkesby: Aussies can come in now, let's hope a few actually show up
As of this morning, Australians are welcome back to our shores. The long-awaited welcome mat gets laid out as the border creaks open. It’s going to be…
Best of BusinessSir Ian Taylor: Businessman on new emails showing the Health Ministry asked Rapid Antigen Test suppliers to prioritise its orders over those
New emails show the Health Ministry asked Rapid Antigen Test suppliers to prioritise its orders over those of private businesses. On January 22, staff flagged…
Best of BusinessPeter de Gouw: Home Trends Building director on seven-week delay to get routine on-site building inspections from the Christchurch City Coun
Some building companies are fed up with long waiting times for inspections. There's a seven-week delay to get routine on-site building inspections from the…
Best of BusinessChris Lewis: Federated Farmers employment spokesperson says getting overseas workers here is a slow, frustrating process
Welcome relief for farmers as the Government announces it's allowing 1600 primary sector workers into the country. They'll include 500 each for the dairy…
Best of BusinessBlair Vernon: AMP Wealth Management chief on calls for broader conversation about New Zealand's growing issue of greenwashing
There's a call for a broader conversation about New Zealand's growing issue of greenwashing. It comes from AMP Wealth Management. Chief executive Blair Vernon…
Best of BusinessKelvin Davidson: Property economist as survey shows 40 per cent of Kiwis agree the Government should forcibly bring house prices down to pre
Over 40 per cent of Kiwis agree the Government should forcibly bring house prices down to pre-Covid levels. That would be around a 20 to 25 per cent drop in…
Best of BusinessDamien O'Connor: Agriculture Minister as 1600 workers given border exemptions to fill rural job vacancies
An acknowledgement from the Government it's a challenge to fill job vacancies in rural areas. It's making it easier for dairy, meat processing and forestry…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on plant protein startup Leaft Foods raising big money from overseas investors
Leaft Foods has attracted some big global backers this week. They’ve raised money from investors including a Silicon Valley venture. Leaft Foods grow leafy…
Best of BusinessTim Aldridge: Puro managing director on $13 million Government grant to develop local organic medicinal cannabis industry
The Government is pumping $13 million into growing the local organic medicinal cannabis industry. The Beehive reckons cannabis could become the new wine when…
Best of BusinessMike Corry: Lion Hospitality Director on reopening Little Creatures after changes to Traffic Light settings
With all the many big-name businesses and restaurants having closed down in recent months, it's nice to see one coming back. Lion's Little Creatures is…
Best of BusinessSam Dickie: Fisher Funds Senior Portfolio Manager on the worst quarterly return on record for bonds
It’s no secret that stock markets have been very volatile this year and investors have had a tough time. And now investors in bonds, which are always…
Best of BusinessLaura Newcombe: Wellington florist owner on petitioning against proposed cycleway that will see carparks taken away
Local businesses are being impacted by a proposed new cycleway in Wellington which goes through Newtown up to the Basin Reserve. They say they’ve had virtually…
Best of BusinessJamie Mackay: The Country host on just how much it's going to cost to repair the Parliament lawn
It’s looking at costing up to $1 million to repair the Parliament lawn after the protests. And it’s not just repairing the lawn as well, as the mess from…
Best of BusinessLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on how Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis plan on tackling inflation
Nicola Willis and Grant Robertson have been interviewed for the NZ Herald. Inflation was the big issue that was brought up in the interviews. With tackling…
Best of BusinessMartin Hawes: Financial author on law that allows employers to contribute to KiwiSaver through employees' pay
If you’re in KiwiSaver, chances are part of the appeal of signing up is that you get a regular financial contribution to your retirement from your employer. So…
Best of BusinessBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the rise of commodity prices
Commodity prices are on the up. The ANZ World Commodity Price Index hit a new record in March with a lift of 3.9 percent. Meanwhile, global shipping is being…
Best of BusinessTony Austin: Partly Chief Strategy Officer on returning to New Zealand to take on new role
A new brain drain may be upon us, but that doesn't necessarily mean the brain gain is over. Tony Austin is a Kiwi who has held senior roles at eBay and Amazon…
Best of BusinessSara Hartigan: Mortgage advisor warns to expect more rises to mortgage interest rates
People are being warned to expect more rises to mortgage interest rates. Kiwibank has lifted its standard 5-year home loan rate to 6.79 percent, the highest…
Best of BusinessKirk Hope: BusinessNZ Chief Executive says reducing the unemployment insurance scheme to focus only on covering redundancies, would be more
Businesses could be more inclined to support the Government's unemployment insurance plan, if it cut health and disability coverage. The scheme would see…
Best of BusinessSteve Jurkovich: Kiwibank chief executive says interest rates will bite in households
New Zealand mortgage holders are expected to feel the pinch, as interest rates rise. Kiwibank's lifted its standard 5-year home loan rate to 6.79 percent, for…
Best of BusinessLaura Hedley: Cardrona and Treble Cone general manager appeals to Immigration NZ to get much-needed workers into the country
The country's ski industry is grappling to fill 250 specialised roles before the Australians arrive. With the border beginning to reopen next week - places…
Best of BusinessEmily Blythe: Pyper Vision CEO says government funding for fog clearing technology will help get the product to market
A Christchurch start-up developing technology to clear fog at airports is delighted to have won government backing. Pyper Vision is in active development of a…
Best of BusinessHengjie Wang: Kami CEO and founder on being named one of Time Magazine's most influential companies of 2022
Kiwi education tech platform Kami has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential companies of 2022. Kami is an online platform that allows teachers…
Best of BusinessMiles Workman: ANZ senior economist on consumer confidence hitting another record low
Consumer confidence is at yet another record low at the moment. According to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey, nearly half of us think we’re worse off…
Best of BusinessSimon Limmer: Silver Fern Farms chief executive on their record annual profit
In these times when business is hard to come by, we should be celebrating when a company does so well. Silver Fern Farms has posted an annual record profit of…
Best of BusinessJamie Mackay: The Country host on Groundswell refusing to meet Jacinda Ardern with other farming groups
The Prime Minister is set to meet with Groundswell. However, Jacinda Ardern wants to meet them with other farming groups like DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb and…
Best of BusinessLiam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on how to use productivity to stop inflation
April 1st is the start of the new financial year. It means the ute tax, but also means the minimum wage goes up to $21.20 on Friday. There are some fears that…
Best of BusinessSam Dickie: Fisher Funds Senior Portfolio Manager on why more Kiwis are relying on shares over traditional savings for retirement
More Kiwis are relying on shares over traditional savings for their retirement. New data says Kiwis are much more inclined to invest in shares, even though…
Best of BusinessLeighton Roberts: Sharesies 3EO on what Air New Zealand's capital raise means for investors
A lot of shareholders are facing a rights issue for the first time ever. Air New Zealand is launching its recapitalisation package and some investors will have…
Best of BusinessSharon Cullwick: NZ Property Investors' Federation Executive Officer on why rents are rising so steeply right now
The national median rent is now a record-breaking $575 a week. This is from TradeMe's Rental Price Index, which also says new highs have been hit in the Bay of…
Best of BusinessGrant Robertson: Finance Minister says he's confident people will see Air NZ as a good investment
The Government says it won't be left carrying the can when it comes to Air New Zealand. Our national airline is doing a capital raise of $2.2 billion. It's…
Best of BusinessIrene King: Aviation commentator says Air NZ doesn't have much option but to offer recapitalisation package
Air New Zealand's $2.2 billion recapitalisation package is being seen as the only way forward. It plans to use it to repay the Crown loan. The Government will…
Best of BusinessLiza Viz: CEO of Beyond Recruitment says businesses will have to navigate guidance on vaccine mandates
With most vaccine mandates being scrapped for workers soon, the Government have given some guidance for how private businesses should navigate the changes. It…
Best of BusinessDame Therese Walsh: Air New Zealand chair announces $2.2 billion recapitalisation plan
Air New Zealand has announced a major plan to recapitalise - after two years of economic turbulence. The $2.2 billion package will enable the airline to repay…
Best of BusinessRichard Wagstaff and Kirk Hope: CTU President and Business NZ Chief Executive discuss Fair Pay Agreements
The Government has taken another step towards fulfilling its pre-election promise to lift incomes and improve working conditions of everyday Kiwis. The Fair…
Best of BusinessLiam Rutherford: Primary teacher union NZEI president says his industry welcomes Fair Pay Agreement decision
Mixed reaction to the Government's decision to push ahead with Fair Pay Agreements. The bill was submitted to Parliament yesterday - in a bid by the Government…
Best of BusinessMichael Rowland: ABC News Breakfast host on latest Australian budget
Tax cuts, a big fuel excise cut and cash payments are leading the headlines when it comes to the Australian budget. Frydenberg announced the tax offsets amount…
Best of BusinessRiki Kinnaird: Duke of Marlborough owner says they are still waiting to hear from government on $49 million tourism fund
Northland are crying out for some tourism help that they say should be extended by the Government beyond the South Island. Earlier this month, the mayor…
Best of BusinessMerja Myllylahti: AUT media researcher on NZME's decision to sign content deal with Google
NZME has stunned its rivals by announcing it’s close to signing a deal with Google to pay for its content. New Zealand media have been working together to get…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on the business response to Russian invasion of Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has been raging for one month now, but it wasn't until this week that Fonterra let go of some of their Russian employees. They had 35…
Best of BusinessMatt Twiselton: Muster Recruit managing director says a lack of staffing in automotive industry has led to a $100 million loss
Hopes border reopenings will ease staff pressures in the automotive industry. Muster Recruit says the combination of stronger demand for vehicles and border…
Best of BusinessMike's Minute: A sobering week of reminders of how far we've fallen behind
Have a look at the new bridge in Turkey that opened this week. It's the world's longest suspension bridge and it's spectacular. They claim it will generate…
Best of BusinessMarc England: Genesis Energy CEO says we need to get more women into technical roles which generally pay more
A call for caution in pay transparency legislation. The Government is looking at a policy which would make it mandatory for companies to report their gender…
Best of BusinessKaranina Sumeo: Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner supports proposed law making companies reveal their gender pay gaps publicly
There are hopes pay transparency legislation will show New Zealand cares about equality. The Government's looking at a law that would make companies reveal…
Best of BusinessNicki Jackson: Alcohol Healthwatch Executive Director on Chlöe Swarbrick winning the backing of council to remove alcohol advertising from e
The MP for Auckland Central has won the backing of the Auckland Council in her bid to have alcohol advertisements pulled from elite sport. The council has…
Best of BusinessBrad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist says people are taking one step forward, two steps back
The pressure's on New Zealand households. Finance Minister Grant Robertson is signalling another 2.5 percent rise in inflation if Russia's invasion of Ukraine…
Best of BusinessIrene King: Aviation commentator on Air New Zealand announcement of direct flights between Auckland and New York
Air New Zealand has announced it is starting it's non-stop flights from Auckland and New York in September. It will be one of the longest flights in the world…
Best of BusinessMichael Barnett: Auckland Business Chamber chief executive says further rises in inflation on top of minimum wage increase is a problem for
Inflation is just one problem businesses are dealing with at the moment. Finance Minister Grant Robertson is signalling another 2.5 percent rise in inflation…
Best of BusinessKarl Schubert: Singapore Airlines Public Affairs regional manager on the carrier hiring new staff and looking to increase its services to Ne
Singapore Airlines is hiring new staff and looking to increase its services to New Zealand. It operates ten weekly return flights to this country and is hoping…
Best of BusinessGraeme Muller: CEO of the NZ Tech Industry Association on new report revealing one million kiwis need digital upskilling for their jobs with
There is new research out this morning from Amazon Web Services on our digital skills in this country signaling there is work to be done. Around one million…
Best of BusinessRoss Copland: Infrastructure Commission Chief Executive as Treasury warns the country's current infrastructure gap is set to widen if nothin
Treasury is warning the country's current infrastructure gap is set to widen if nothing changes. It's also stating the Government frequently doesn't get value…
Best of BusinessLarry Miller: Jordan brand chairman on his life story and biography 'Jump'
The story of Larry Miller is simply remarkable. He's well known now as one of the most successful black businessmen in America - he led Nike's Michael Jordan…
Best of BusinessTyrel Glass: Co-founder of Protag on technology designed to help farmers monitor a cow's health
A couple of students from Massey University have developed technology to help farmers monitor their cow's health. Their start-up Protag has developed small…
Best of BusinessPeter Lewis: China's Shenzhen to reopen, still trying to contain virus
Companies in Shenzhen, a major Chinese business center, will be allowed to reopen while efforts to contain coronavirus outbreaks progress, the government said…
Best of BusinessRod Oram: Business commentator on how tourism may look like when the border reopens
Here comes the normal, but what does the new normal look like? This is the big question as the country prepares to open the borders and welcome back overseas…
Best of BusinessKirk Hope: BusinessNZ Chief Executive says putting starting salaries in job advertising won't work
A call for more employer transparency. Parliament's Education and Workforce select committee says the Government should consider making it compulsory for…