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
Businesses are feeling optimistic they could be in for a better 2025.
The latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion from the Institute of Economic Research reveals a net 9% of firms are expecting general economic conditions to improve.
This is a jump from a net 4% feeling downbeat three months prior.
Infometrics’ Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge that it’s definitely a good sign, however at the same time, around 2...
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Several Greens members have been caught asking to use the private carparks belonging to Wellington retailers for a party event.
These retailers were impacted by Green-led cycleway project, which took away on-street parking in the area.
Independent Business and Residential Group chairwoman Urmila Bhana says this cycleway has negatively impacted several businesses.
"Businesses are down 60, 80, 100 percent, they're either moving, clos...
One transport planner is looking into the feasibility of a fixed link between New Zealand's two islands.
KiwiRail are officially cancelling an overseas contract for building more mega-ferries, after the Government declined to foot the bill.
Nicolas Reid, the Principal Public Transport Planner for MRCagney, says there are other options available to cross the Cook Strait.
"There's options around the existing ferries and expanding tho...
Over in the US, share prices have slumped after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slower than expected pace for rate cuts in the new year.
The Federal Reserve set its key lending rate in a target range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent - down a full percentage point since September.
Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further.
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The Country's Jamie Mackay has been catching up with politicians and farming experts to discuss their picks for Ag Person of the Year.
There's been a diverse range of favourites - but who is Jamie's?
He revealed his favourites for 2024, ahead of his final show for the year.
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This was a dire week for the economy - but experts say things can only go up from here.
Stats NZ revealed that GDP was down 1 percent in the September quarter, and had been down 1.1 percent the previous quarter.
This is the biggest drop since 1991, excluding the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Despite the gloomy outlook, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this will likely be as bad as things get before things pick up.
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Mastercard is pushing back against the Commerce Commission's plan to put a cap on credit card fees.
The Commission says regulation for credit and contactless payments could deliver $280 million in savings a year for merchants and consumers.
But Mastercard New Zealand says the draft decision is disappointing, will undermine competition, and set back the local economy.
Mastercard NZ Country Manager Ruth Riviere says these sugge...
People will have questions, after one of the country's worst quarterly GDP dips in decades.
Stats NZ figures show New Zealand's gross domestic product crashed down one percent in the September quarter.
It's put the country in the deepest recession since the Covid-driven slump in 2020.
Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce says the Reserve Bank Governor, Adrian Orr, needs to speak up and explain.
"I think there is some legitima...
We're less than a week out from Christmas - and some key stocks could be well-placed for a Christmas charge-up.
The 'Santa Rally' phenomenon refers to a strong share market over the last 5 trading sessions in December, and the first 2 trading sessions in the new year.
Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor unpacks the phenomenon.
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The surprisingly large uptick in the amount of debt the Treasury is expected to issue in coming years will come at a cost, S&P Global Ratings warns.
On Tuesday, Treasury increased its forecast bond issuance programme by a whopping 16 percent.
It now believes it’ll have to issue $146 billion of New Zealand Government Bonds (debt) in the four years to 2027/28 - $20b more than forecast at the Budget in May.
NZ Herald Wellington bu...
There's expectations fast-tracked projects will kick in next year.
The controversial Fast Track Approvals Bill passed its final reading in the House last night - despite heated protest in the public gallery and from Opposition MPs.
It's being characterised as a one-stop shop, facilitating consents for large-scale development, infrastructure, and mining.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says people can apply from Feb...
There's disappointment that a bill has been voted down to remove trading restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The MP conscience vote landed on 74 to 49 against it.
Retail NZ says it would have allowed better competition with online websites that still operate on both public holidays.
Chief executive Carolyn Young says it's sensible to let businesses be open if they want.
"People think everybody wants to have the day...
The ACT Party won't keep pushing to remove trading restrictions from Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Politicians have toppled a bill today in a conscience vote - 74 to 49.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's 'incredible' the bill was voted down - considering the impact it would have on retailers.
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Businesses hope to employ more migrants after changes to work visas.
The Government's updating the Accredited Employer Work Visa in March, removing the median wage threshold and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower skill roles.
They'll also reduce the minimum threshold for how many domestic workers must be employed.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s a step...
The Government's half-year fiscal update paints a bleak economic picture for the years ahead.
It revealed the Government's debt path is steeper than previously anticipated - and surplus won't be reached until the end of the decade.
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains how things got to this point - and how the Government can redirect the economy.
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Business advocates believe the latest minimum wage increase strikes the right balance during an economic downturn.
The minimum wage will rise 1.5 percent - or 35 cents an hour - to $23.50.
The Government says the moderate increase reflects the current economic climate and labour market.
Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says this won't cause businesses to cut jobs - but they will be more caut...
The Government says changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa should make hiring migrants easier, and protect Kiwis in low-skilled jobs.
Amendments from March include altering the median wage threshold - and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower-skilled roles.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says previous settings skewed the market, as low-skilled immigrant workers had to be paid the median wage.&nbs...
The Government's devised a new measure for counting its coins, which gives it a more positive look.
Treasury reports the Government now won't hit surplus before 2030 at the earliest, rather than 2027.
But the Finance Minister says the official measure will no longer consider the $4.1 billion ACC deficit, putting the books in the black mid-2029.
Nicola Willis says the Government inherited a tough set of economic conditions.
"A...
The grim outlook for the economy in the coming years doesn't come as a surprise to experts.
Treasury's opened its books for the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update - showing the expected surplus has been pushed out from 2027 to beyond 2030.
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says economic recovery will likely be a slow-burn process - slower than the 'survive til '25' timeline.
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