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 first 100 days of the new Donald Trump administration have seen capital markets undergo a turbulent few months - but things appear to be stabilising.
The tariffs have seen the markets take a noticeable dip, but things have turned the corner this week.
Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains the factors behind this.
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New Zealand's Airports Association has voiced disapproval with the latest review of their regulatory arrangements - and suggested the scrutiny needs to be on Air New Zealand.
MBIE has launched another review of airport regulations, just three weeks after the Commerce Commission gave Auckland Airport the tick of approval for an upgrade.
NZ Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says it's clear there's plenty of strain on the domestic...
Businesses in the capital city are still feeling glum - Westpac's latest survey has found Wellington has the lowest business confidence of any region in the country. With interest rates dropping and spending increasing, when will confidence return?
Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has officially turned the sod at the first tranche of Golden Mile works this morning. How will the plan affect businesses?
To answer those questi...
The UK is still hoping to work out a trade deal with the US - but early reports indicate it's quite a way off.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently arrived in Washington DC, and she's warned negotiations will take time.
UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK economy needs the extra help, but it's unlikely a deal will come by the end of the week.
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US President Donald Trump has spent the past week verbally attacking Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and it's prompted concerns from the markets.
Trump recently claimed the US economy could slow down unless interest rates were lowered immediately - and said that Powell's termination 'cannot come soon enough'.
Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this could mean for investors.
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Local cheesemakers have voiced concerns about the competition created by supermarket-produced home-brands.
Smaller brands have been forced to scale back on production to reduce their reliance on the supermarkets - in a bid to focus on filling niches that appeal to Kiwi cheese lovers.
The Country's Rowena Duncum explains further.
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Consumer confidence has gone back up - but new data indicates people are also worried about inflation.
The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey shows consumer confidence rose 5 points to 98.3 in April - but inflation expectations soared 0.5pts to 4.7 percent, the highest reading since July 2023.
NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacked the factors contributing to this data.
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New reports indicate Donald Trump is considering slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by more than half.
No announcements have been made yet- but tariffs could reportedly come down to between roughly 50 percent and 65 percent, according to one senior White House official.
Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis says China has signalled it's open to trade talks - as officials believe this is the US blinking first in the trade dis...
The Finance Minister has adamantly denied any suggestions of the Government trying to interfere in the Reserve Bank.
Critics have raised concerns that the Reserve Bank's temporary Governor and Chair are acting to appeal to Nicola Willis' interests.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further.
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Despite the negative press and volatile climate, some financial markets have managed to hold up solidly throughout 2025.
The consumer staples industry - food, beverages, household products - and all the brands tied to that sector have managed to stay strong throughout the year.
Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains further.
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Chicken exports are returning to normal after a bird flu outbreak in Otago last year.
Last December, New Zealand experienced its first confirmed case of avian influenza on an Otago egg farm and thousands of chickens were culled.
While the outbreak was contained to the Hillgrove farm, measures were taken to prevent further spread, including surveillance and temporary suspension of chicken exports.
The Country's Rowena Duncum explain...
There's been some positive trade news.
Stats NZ data shows goods exports rose 19 percent to $7.6 billion in March - compared to the same time a year ago.
Milk powder, butter and cheese rose 35 percent to $2.3 billion.
Goods imports rose 12 percent to $6.6 billion.
Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon unpacked the factors.
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There's less than a month to go until the 2025 Budget is unveiled - and the Finance Minister has been clear about the goals she aims to tackle.
Nicola Willis says New Zealand has been in a significant deficit since 2019, and she's determined to get back into surplus by 2027/2028.
She explained getting the country back into surplus will help to pay down debt.
"We're borrowing every day right now to keep our hospitals, schools and po...
Limited Easter trading hours are bringing extra financial burdens for businesses according to retailers.
The Retail Radar survey shows almost 70 percent of retailers are concerned about the cost of living - with merchant fees also top of mind.
The law says local council have the final say on when businesses are allowed to open.
Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says these restrictions are 'outdated' and don't refl...
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With China and the US promising trade war escalations, economists are speculating about the future of the tariffs and how they'll impact global economies.
Some have have drawn parallels with the Great Depression - and warned the world should be prepared for a downturn.
Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further.
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New data shows inflation's gone up again - and there's concerns about what it could mean going forward.
The latest Stats NZ figures put the rate at 2.5 percent, up from 2.2 percent three months ago.
It's the first time it's risen in almost three years.
NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this could mean for the state of the economy.
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Genesis Energy has confirmed it plans to shift its focus over to coal, as gas production declines and no other suitable sources have been found.
Genesis has made clear it sees a declining role for gas in electricity generation - despite the Government's attempts to get offshore oil and gas exploration going properly.
Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie isn't surprised by this - given the associated challenges.
L...
US tariffs are expected to impact our next inflation figures, according to new reports.
The rate increased in the three months to March to 2.5 percent - up from 2.2 percent to December.
Petrol, milk, cheese, eggs have all gone up, alongside a dip in prices for international flights and games.
Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says the new tariffs could push inflation down because of weaker demand.
"And we know there will ...
Labour is staying tight-lipped, as Te Pāti Māori says Māori should receive New Zealand Superannuation seven to 10 years before everyone else.
Meanwhile, the Green Party supports lowering the age of eligibility for Super for some groups in society.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this has prompted a divided response.
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