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
The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying.
Experts also believes markets are likely to drop further if the US gets more involved in the conflict.
Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains the market impact of the conflict.
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New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025.
It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future.
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Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes.
The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year.
Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays.
"We've had a little bit of communic...
Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good.
Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter.
It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June.
"The data that we talked about was for the first quarter - obviou...
The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding.
The bank received less money than it anticipated in the latest funding round - which prompted Adrian Orr to quit as Governor.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the issue further.
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The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing on - and it's sparked concerns among investors.
US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, as he weighs up whether to join Israel's targeting of nuclear sites.
Milford Asset Management expert Andrew Curtayne explains the impact of the conflict.
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New data shows consumer confidence has gone up - but overall levels show people are feeling more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.
The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence index rose two points in June to 91.2, a modest rise from last quarter's drop.
Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says negative news and the rising cost of living are contributing to an uncertain outlook, but confidence is likely ...
The Inland Revenue Department has unveiled the horticulture sector hasn't paid their fair share of taxes.
Over the last 10 months, the IRD has found $45 million dollars of undeclared tax - and almost 100 audits are in the works now, within the sector.
Inland Revenue spokesperson Tony Morris says the department is seeing people being paid under the table, undeclared cash sales and withholding tax going unrecorded or not being deduct...
New Zealand businesses believe things are looking up, with optimism at a high.
The 2degrees 2025 Shaping Business Study reveals 45% of surveyed business leaders are more optimistic about the year ahead – up on last year's 34%.
46% of businesses also report they're more productive than last year.
Business Central CEO Simon Arcus told Ryan Bridge things will probably still fluctuate in coming years.
He says ...
Farmer confidence remains at a near-record high, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.
Farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy was unchanged at a net reading of +44 percent following consecutive lifts in the previous three quarters.
The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the survey results further.
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Food prices increased 4.4 percent in the 12 months to May 2025, following a 3.7 percent increase in the 12 months to April 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices.
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the factors behind this data.
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As much as we tried to celebrate last week's excellent economic numbers regarding the food and fibre, the bullishness of Fieldays, the boost in elective surgery and the boom in teacher numbers, what you can't ignore is the manufacturing read for April.
It hit a brick wall.
It fell over six points and is below the 50 point expansionary mark.
A couple of key things about that - while services and sentiment and spending figures have b...
Israel and Iran have been engaged in air strikes for several days now - and experts have wondered what the conflict could mean for the wider world.
It's day three of the latest conflict, as the two countries exchange deadly attacks following Israel's initial assault on Friday.
Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the market reactions.
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This week on the Business Panel, Nick was joined by two second-generation Wellington business owners.
On the agenda was the state of the city, potential changes to sick leave, and the mood amongst the business community about upcoming local elections.
Listen to Dragonfly owner Tania Siladi and Nada Bakery owner Michael Gray above.
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This week marks the end of an era for two classic Kiwi brands - department store Smith & Caughey’s announced it will shut their doors for the last time at 4pm today, and hosiery manufacturer Columbine that they’re closing their Gisborne factory in August.
These are both sad events. Smith & Caughey’s has been part of Queen St for 145 years, and Columbine has kept me in opaque tights for as long as I can remember, and ...
It's all go at Fieldays 2025, and the Country's Jamie Mackay is taking it all in.
Farmers are in a better mood as primary export figures soar - and business is booming.
Jamie Mackay recaps the mood of day two of Fieldays.
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The GDP for Q1 is set to drop next week - and experts are feeling confident about the state of the economy.
Predictions from economists claim figures will pick up this time round.
NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann speculates further.
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There's growing calls to implement price controls on alcohol sold at off-licence stores to boost the hospitality industry and reduce the negative impacts of alcohol harm.
Experts say a significant percentage of alcohol consumed in New Zealand is purchased at an off-licence and consumed in the home, where there's more room for harm.
Caller Sam says it's not fair that off- and on-licence businesses are expected to pay the same levies...
The NZ sharemarket lifted today as Fletcher Building announced it had received inquiries from parties interested in buying its businesses.
The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed up 0.33% or 41.51 points, rising to 12,605.93, with 39,702,689 shares changing hands to the value of $139.77 million.
Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further.
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There are fears Finance Minister Nicola Willis is opening a can of worms by potentially allowing young farmers to dip into their KiwiSavers to buy farms.
She explained she was seeking advice from the IRD on the matter, which is yet to be considered by Cabinet.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny weighed in on the debate.
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