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 UK’s embattled Labour Government has unveiled a tax-raising budget - after its full contents were leaked half an hour early.
The plan's designed to lift economic growth and ease cost-of-living pressures.
UK correspondent Enda Brady says Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged ordinary people would have to pay more, and it's prompted backlash.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There's growing concerns from experts about the risks surrounding AI investments.
Investors believe AI is at risk of forming a stock market bubble, and some analysts are worried about the risks coming home to roost.
Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can I give you a positive spin on the recession that we're just coming out of?
I mean, maybe it's not so much a positive spin, but maybe it's an explanation for why this recession was harder than it needed to be - but why it actually did need to be this hard.
If you've been following the commentary around the Reserve Bank's last two OCR decisions, you'll know there's been a fair bit of chat about the wealth effect and how that has ...
The Reserve Bank has blamed the ongoing recession on an uncertain property market, prompting experts to weigh in.
New Zealand has traditionally relied on housing as an engine of growth, but years of flat property prices have reportedly contributed to the ongoing economic downturn.
Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Keith McLaughlin: Centrix Group Managing Director on the IRD's planned crackdown on stubborn debtors
The Inland Revenue Department has launched some new steps in bringing down tax debt - with one scheme linked to a key credit agency.
Following a successful pilot, the IRD will report more recalcitrant tax debtors to credit reporting agency Centrix.
Centrix Group Managing Director Keith McLaughlin says this scheme is designed to bring down company debt at this stage, not personal debt.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
Business as usual for Jetstar, despite Air New Zealand taking a swipe at its airport discounts.
Air New Zealand head Nikhil Ravishankar claimed airports are unfairly subsidising the Qantas-owned airline - on our most profitable air routes.
BusinessDesk reports Ravishankar says that includes open-ended discounted landing rights and cost cutting deals.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says they're just focused on running...
The Reserve Bank is addressing concerns cash is becoming inaccessible by bringing money to rural communities.
It has opened a 12-month trial of a cash depot in Hawke's Bays' Waipukurau - offering a closer site to make withdrawals.
Local banks have recently closed, meaning the nearest ATM for locals is 50 kilometres away.
Reserve Bank Money and Cash Director, Ian Woolford, says, currently, only businesses can use the depot fo...
Businesses are taking class-action over a power outage to of all Northland last year - although the exact loss is still unknown.
In June, an inexperienced worker removed nuts from three legs of a pylon, which toppled, cutting electricity to almost the entire region.
An opt-out class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor is progressing through the courts.
Stout Street Chambers partner, Mike Colson, say...
The Pohutukawa are out and flowering and abundant. The days are longer, the sun is shining, the Reserve Bank has cut the OCR, Christmas is coming, summer holidays are on the horizon, Chris Hipkins was talking tough around any kind of coalition with the Greens. We're in charge, we're not going to have this rabidly socialist nonsense, was the clear implication.
Commentators are saying that this point now, here, is rock bottom. ...
Leaky-home experts fear a proposed overhaul of the Building Act could leave unlucky home owners - apartment owners in particular - in financial ruin.
Under the new regime, liabilities are only assigned to the party responsible, and for many new buildings, a warranty will be required.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the concerns further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Reserve Bank ended the year on a hopeful note and brought down the OCR for the end of 2025.
The central bank cut the Official Cash Rate another 25 basis points today - bringing it to 2.25 percent.
Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Port of Auckland's CEO says a 'no' culture has permeated New Zealand.
Roger Gray says a cruise ship representative he spoke to in the US labelled our country 'No Zealand'.
Gray says they claimed excessive regulation made things too difficult for them.
He says he doesn't think it's the case in Australia.
"I think Australians are a bit more optimistic and go - yeah, let's have a crack. We're a bit more sit back and a bit mo...
The Reserve Bank's outgoing Governor says New Zealand's economy may be doing better than we realise.
The central bank has cut the OCR 25 basis points today - to 2.25 percent.
Christian Hawkesby says the economy already appears to be recovering from this year's downturn.
He says what's unclear - is its pace.
"The recovery could be faster and stronger than we expect, because we have cut interest rates a long way and it could really s...
The Reserve Bank is set to deliver their final Monetary Policy Statement for 2025 tomorrow, and reports indicate the OCR will be cut further.
Economists are widely expecting the OCR to drop 25 basis points to 2.25 percent - with room for further cuts down the line.
HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham speculated further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fonterra's forewarning farmers falling global dairy prices could hit their bottom lines.
The dairy co-op recently cut its seasonal farmgate milk payout midpoint forecast - from $10 to $9.50.
It paid out $10.16 last season.
The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Reserve Bank is set to make an announcement this week, and experts are expecting at least one more cut to the OCR.
Markets are projecting the OCR will be cut down to 2.25, and they've priced it in accordingly.
Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New surveys show Auckland business confidence is on the up, with reports indicating businesses are feeling less pessimistic ahead of the new year.
Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the latest November survey shows the city isn't 'out of the woods' but it's no longer 'stuck in the darkest part of the forest'.
Bridges says there's room for the economy to improve, but the OCR's coming down and farmers are making more mo...
Let's talk about Air New Zealand.
Look, if I was Air New Zealand, I would feel pretty beaten up after the weekend's opinion pieces. Bruce Cotterill wrote a piece in one newspaper complaining that if Air New Zealand want to charge as much as they do, then they have to do the job better and be on time more often.
And then, Sam Stubbs wrote a piece in another newspaper telling them to stop overcharging domestic travellers.
Now, ...
New Zealand farms and food producers appear to be outpacing other countries when it comes to reducing food waste.
A report commissioned by the Ministry of Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year.
The total proportion of food wasted is between 5 and 10 percent - considerably lower than the global estimate of 30 to 40 percent.
University of Otago nutrition professor and report...
Up to 15,000 passengers could be disrupted if Air New Zealand cabin crew go ahead with strike action next month.
The airline's largely unionised crew plan to strike on December 8th demanding greater salaries and allowances.
The flagship carrier's assessing the potential effect on operations.
Expert and advisor to business leaders, Bruce Cotterill, says people have high expectations when it comes to Air New Zealand and CEO Nikhil Ra...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com