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
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the possible US-Iran negotiations
Donald Trump has floated the idea of the US guiding neutral ships out through the Strait of Hormuz, and it's made an impact on the oil markets. The Brent oil…
- Best of Business
Ryan Bridge: Things are about to get a whole lot more expensive
I have good news and bad news for you this morning. The good news, I was out shopping on the weekend, which means I didn't actually buy anything but drove…
- Best of Business
Karen Hao: journalist and author on her new book exploring the impact of AI
No-one knows what the future of AI has in store for us, and one journalist has raised concerns about the impact of the technology. When investigative…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta reporting their earnings
The world's leading tech giants - Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta - all recently reported their latest earnings. All of these companies surpassed investor…
- Best of Business
Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the Reserve Bank disclosing individual Monetary Policy Committee members’ views on OCR decisions
A former senior economist at the Reserve Bank is calling releasing details of who voted which way on the Official Cash Rate a 'baby step'. It's been agreed by…
- Best of Business
Michael O'Neill: Mt Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association ahead of meeting to discuss Mt Maunganui's future
Hopes some relief for businesses will be on the cards in a public meeting to discuss the future of Mount Maunganui this evening. Mauao has been closed to the…
- Best of Business
Chris Small: ABC Business Sales Managing Director on the data showing small business sales rose 3.9% in the March quarter
Confidence for small business owners, with sales continuing to grow. New Xero small business data shows business sales rose 3.9% in the March quarter – March…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on whether we should be concerned about insurance going up
The recent burst of bad weather and growing concerns about inflation have prompted Kiwis to worry about their insurance premiums going up. Insurance premiums…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the stock market turning around in April
Following the market downturn in March as a result of the Iran conflict , things appear to be more hopeful towards the end of April. The ceasefire caused a…
- Best of Business
Andrew Fairgray: 2degrees Chief Business Officer on the research showing the impact of AI use on SMEs
AI seems to be having a positive impact on Kiwi businesses. A new report from 2degrees and Deloitte suggests small and medium businesses using high levels of…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australia and New Zealand looking to lift rates amid ongoing fuel crisis
While most of the world will hold interest rates and wait out the energy shock, Australia and New Zealand are set to lift their rates up. Both nations are…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on what the India FTA means for Kiwi farmers
New Zealand and India have signed a landmark FTA - which is set to slash tariffs on Kiwi exports to India. The agreement will now be examined by Parliament’s…
- Best of Business
Dileepa Fonseka: BusinessDesk senior journalist on the contents of New Zealand's FTA with India
One expert has noticed there doesn't appear to be any significant surprises in New Zealand's new trade agreement with India. The agreement was signed in New…
- Best of Business
Duncan Greive: media commentator on Disney Plus expanding their ESPN offerings
The popularity of American sports could keep growing here - as streaming giants compete for viewers. Disney Plus is pushing its ESPN sports offering across…
- Best of Business
Vicky Pryce: Business Correspondent on the meeting between central banks regarding interest rates
Banks around the world are meeting this week to discuss interest rates. Financial conditions are tightening, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causing…
- Best of Business
Mike's Minute: It's not as bad in business as you think
Here's a small myth-busting exercise for you – things aren't as bad as you might think. Business sales from small and medium businesses are up and by quite a…
- Best of Business
Tony Martin: India New Zealand Business Council deputy chair on India FTA signing today
Todd McClay will sign the free trade deal with India in Delhi today following uncertainty as New Zealand First pulled support and Labour held out until the…
- Best of Business
Nathan Surendran: Wise Response Society chair on New Zealand's response to the ongoing fuel crisis
Some experts have raised concerns that the Government's fuel response is not proactive enough. A month ago, the Government detailed our response phases and…
- Best of Business
David Seymour: Act leader proposes $30m scheme to teach kids investing
David Seymour's floating the idea of giving high school students 500 dollars each, to learn investing. Students would be able to track earnings and losses, and…
- Best of Business
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the opening of the One NZ Stadium
Christchurch bars, restaurants and retailers are preparing for a bumper weekend with the city's new stadium playing host to its first crowds. One NZ Stadium…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Victorian Hydrogen proposing a $3 billion urea plant in Southland
Victorian Hydrogen is proposing a $3 billion urea plant to be located 30km northeast of Invercargill. The company says it could deliver 1.5 million tonnes a…
- Best of Business
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on Moody's credit rating agency downgrading outlook for New Zealand
The Finance Minister says politicians should see our downgraded Moody's economic outlook as a wake-up-call, as she pieces together her Budget. The rating…
- Best of Business
Remy Morgan: Milford Asset Management expert on the global markets' response to the Iran ceasefire
The ongoing uncertainty about the Middle East conflict is impacting the markets, but there's some hope. Initial ceasefire talk saw things pick up, but…
- Best of Business
Jonathan Waecker: Michael Hill CEO on the company's bid to launch customisable jewellery
Michael Hill International is set to trial customisable engagement rings across some of its stores. The popularity of its TenSevenSeven brand has highlighted…
- Best of Business
Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on Kiwi businesses raising concerns over the war in Iran
The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion has revealed business confidence has taken a hit for the March quarter. Only a net 1 percent of firms…
- Best of Business
Sarah Carney: Microsoft's national chief technology officer on the company's plan to digitally upskill 200,000 Kiwis
Microsoft has today announced it will double its existing AI and digital skilling commitment in New Zealand, with a plan to train up over 200,000 Kiwis by…
- Best of Business
Cameron Bagrie: independent economist on New Zealand's CPI reaching 3.1 percent for the first quarter of 2026
Inflation's already looking vulnerable, with the reality of worse economic blows still to come. Figures out today showed annual CPI unexpectedly held at 3.1 in…
- Best of Business
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the Consumer Price Index remaining at 3.1%
Inflation was higher than it should be, even before factoring in the full impact of the war on Iran. Stats NZ data shows the inflation rate remained unchanged…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on how markets have reacted to the fractious ceasefire news in the Middle East
US President Donald Trump's accused Iran of completely violating its ceasefire agreement - with the Strait of Hormuz closed again. Iran's fired shots at ships…
- Best of Business
Gemma Rasmussen: Consumer NZ Head of Advocacy and Research on NZ First's plan to break up the supermarket duopoly
New Zealand First is heading into the election with a plan to break up the supermarket duopoly. If re-elected, the party's promising to split Foodstuffs into…
- Best of Business
Shamubeel Eaqub: Simplicity chief economist on the increase in KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals have spiked to their highest in a decade last month, amid rising fuel prices. According to the IRD, more than 5600 people…
- Best of Business
Kevin Milne: The rise and fall of Allbirds
A Kiwi company is flipping the bird, pivoting from making environmentally friendly wool shoes to AI. After years of losses, Allbirds sold all its assets this…
- Best of Business
Chris Keall: NZ Herald senior business writer on Allbirds pivoting to AI
Kiwi company Allbirds has announced a new direction and it's drawn questions from experts. After years of losses, the former sustainable shoe company is…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on US earnings season being impacted by Middle East conflict
The US earnings season is in full swing, with many leading companies posting their results. The Middle East conflict is looming over this year's data and…
- Best of Business
Cath O'Brien: Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director on the growing concerns around the fuel shortage
Airlines are now treating the fuel crisis as a long term issue. The conflict in Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz, has forced airfare rises and route…
- Best of Business
Shane Jones: Associate Energy Minister on the fuel crisis, businesses seeking long-term certainty
The Government’s looking at ways to give businesses long-term certainty about fuel. Latest figures show we have 56 days of petrol, 45 of diesel, and 47 of jet…
- Best of Business
Bridget Unsworth: Angel Association CEO on investment in the start-up scene surging by 14% in 2025
There’s renewed hope in the Kiwi start-up scene with a surge of investment in 2025. New data shows the number of deals rose 14%, with total investment surging…
- Best of Business
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the IRD saying taxes need to rise
Inland Revenue has claimed New Zealand needs higher taxes, building off earlier arguments made by Treasury. It sees scope to increase the goods and services…
- Best of Business
Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on A2 Milk cutting their earnings forecast
Shares in A2 Milk dropped this week after the company downgraded their earnings forecast - after the business was hoping to increase their net profit for the…
- Best of Business
Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Bunnings needed to prioritise staff safety here
If you haven’t watched the Bunnings video yet showing its staff being attacked, I recommend you go and watch it - especially if you feel uneasy about the…
- Best of Business
Chris Larcombe: Do Not Disturb Sleep Company founder on the company securing a multi-million dollar deal in the US
A Kiwi startup designed around rethinking the way we sleep is getting international recognition. Do Not Disturb Sleep Company, an Auckland manufacturer of…
- Best of Business
Melissa Haines: Bunnings NZ manager on the rollout of new facial recognition technology
Repeat offenders are the target of the recent Bunnings facial recognition technology rollout. It's turning on scanners in Te Rapa and Hamilton South today…
- Best of Business
Max Whitehead: Employment law expert on the investigations into Xero's former chief executive Sir Rod Drury
An employment expert's raising his eyebrows over Xero investigating complaints against the newly crowned New Zealander of the Year. The tech company's…
- Best of Business
Irene King: aviation commentator on Air New Zealand launching 'world-first' economy bunks for long-haul flights
Air New Zealand’s debuting 'world-first' sleeping pods on ultra long-haul flights in November. Economy Skynests will be installed on six revamped Boeing 787-9…
- Best of Business
Emma McLean: employment expert on how Kiwis can handle 'broken' job market
It's tougher than ever for jobseekers to find work, and one expert has revealed how people can get ahead in the current market. Employment expert Emma McLean…
- Best of Business
Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on Australian business confidence dropping to Covid-era low
The ongoing Middle East conflict has seen Australia business confidence hit lows not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic. The US has today moved to blockade the…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Richard Allen being named Fonterra's new CEO
Fonterra has named Richard Allen as its new chief executive, succeeding Miles Hurrell. Allen - who joined Fonterra as a graduate in 2008 and has worked in…
- Best of Business
Tracey Green: Destination Marlborough general manager on the ferry disruptions gaining international concern
New Zealand's growing a reputation among the global tourism industry for its difficult inter-island travel. Industry workers who attended the world's leading…
- Best of Business
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac chief economist on the bank forecasting an OCR increase for September
Another bank is predicting an upcoming OCR raise. ANZ has already picked three consecutive Official Cash Rate hikes in July, September, and October. Now…
- Best of Business
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Qantas scaling back flights amid Middle East conflict
The Iran war is prompting Qantas to scale back flights within Australia, but it's flying more to Paris and Rome. The airline's scaling back domestic Qantas and…
- Best of Business
Alan Morrison and Adam King: Viva la Dirt League founders and owners on the success of their online media business
While many may not have heard of ‘Viva la Dirt League’, their kids probably have. Self-described as a ‘bunch of nerds who play games and make comedy sketches…
- Best of Business
Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on oil prices going up following Trump's blockade threat
Global oil prices have shot up again, with Donald Trump gunning for authority over the Strait of Hormuz. The President's announced a naval blockade on Iranian…
- Best of Business
Andrew Little: Wellington mayor on Wellington's new water entity receiving double the board's original pay
Concerns have been raised over the new Wellington water entity, as its board members will be paid twice as much as their Wellington Water counterparts. The…
- Best of Business
Chris Bishop: Associate Finance Minister on the prospect of the OCR going up
There's growing concern about the impact of the Middle East conflict, and at least one major bank has forecasted increases to the OCR. ANZ has revised its…
- Best of Business
Alexander Cornwell: Reuters Middle East correspondent on Donald Trump threatening a navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
A warning Iran has more ways to inflict economic pain if war resumes with the US, other than in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump's threatening a navy…
- Best of Business
John Saywell: Independent Pharmacy Group co-founder on Chemist Warehouse planning to double their sites
Concern from pharmacists over revelations Chemist Warehouse is planning to double its sites in the next decade. BusinessDesk reports a confidential briefing…
- Best of Business
Sharon Zollner: ANZ chief economist on the bank forecasting three OCR hikes before the November election
The country's largest bank is now forecasting three Official Cash Rate hikes before the election. ANZ is predicting three consecutive increases in July…
- Best of Business
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert ahead of Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing next week
President Donald Trump named Kevin Warsh as his choice for Federal Reserve chair earlier in the year, and he's set to have an impact on the US economy. Warsh's…
- Best of Business
Karl Dean: Federated Farmers Dairy Chair on the concerns that farmers are running out of fuel
Federated Farmers says farmers are experiencing fuel shortages, with some two to three weeks behind their normal fuel drops. The US and Iran have reached a…
- Best of Business
Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the global uncertainties impacting Kiwi farmers
New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are set to see strong returns for the 25/26 season, but there's global factors impacting the outlook. Concerns have been…