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PODCAST

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.

business business news

All Episodes

3:11

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist issues warning...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/07

New Zealand's treading water, with a warning our increasingly overloaded pension system isn't sustainable. The latest OECD snapshot of our economy suggests unless we adjust systems, including the costs of health, long-term care and pension will increase by about five percent of GDP by 2060. It says it could be countered by changes including upping Superannuation contributions. Economist Cameron Bagrie says we can't keep kicking the can down the road - and that we need to address entitlements,

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2:54

Nick Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the unemployment...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/06

A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic. The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3% in the first three months of this year. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge says he's not overly pessimistic about the next couple of quarters. But he cautions the next few months are really the danger zone as businesses hunker down and defer some decisions. Youth unemployment is up from 13.3% to 14.4%. LISTEN ABOVESee

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5:03

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/06

A new test case for the standards of political neutrality expected in the public service. Craig Stobo has resigned as chair of the Financial Markets Authority, after an investigation found he'd voiced too many political views for someone in an apolitical public sector role. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:13

Chris Smith: CMC Markets managing director on ASB...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/06

ASB is set to launch their own answer to Sharesies with their new app. ASB Share Central will include a mobile app and desktop platform, and it will allow Kiwis to make their own investments into shares. CMC Markets managing director Chris Smith says it's 'exciting' ASB wants to take this step, and they're looking forward to working with the bank on this project. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:14

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/06

There's hopes the Iran war won't bring a big bump in unemployment. Stats NZ data shows the rate reached 5.3 percent in the March quarter, down from 5.4 percent in the three months to December. Infometrics expect it'll rise again throughout 2026. Principal Economist, Brad Olsen, says they're not expecting any mass firings. "It's more that those hiring intentions are likely to be more subdued - i.e., businesses probably won't be as keen to hire into the future just because of how uncertain things

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9:48

Olivia Blaylock: Icehouse CEO on the Ignite Growth...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/06

The Icehouse is celebrating 25 years of powering Kiwi business growth. They’re a non-profit dedicated to training and mentoring the small to medium enterprises that make up 97% of New Zealand’s economy. And today is their Ignite Growth Summit, in which they bring together legendary founders who have gone from the garage to the global stage to inspire the next wave of business talent. CEO Olivia Blaylock told Kerre Woodham there are so many great businesses around New Zealand, and while some, like

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4:34

Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australia's...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/05

Australia's Reserve Bank has lifted the country's Official Cash Rate 25 basis points, to 4.35 percent. The move was expected by economists and financial markets, fearing the Middle East oil crisis could worsen inflation before it gets better. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained the move further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:07

Hamish McKay: The Country spokesperson on whether...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/05

Despite the mounting concerns about the economy and the ongoing Middle East conflict, New Zealand's rural sector is booming. Reports reveal farm worker pay growth has levelled off after a post-Covid period of rapid growth. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:29

Catherine McGrath: Westpac CEO on the bank bracing...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/05

Westpac's CEO says they have noticed changing customer habits in the backdrop of a tougher economy. The bank's half-year profit is up four percent, with its net profit rising to $545 million dollars. It's down 19 percent on the previous six months. CEO Catherine McGrath says businesses are getting good at controlling what they can. "There's a little bit less money being spent on things like hospitality and retail spend - with businesses, some of them are pausing a bit on whether they want to do

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2:35

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/04

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 price was little changed above $108 a barrel, after falling as much as 2.4 percent at the open - below last week's $118 high. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2:01

Ryan Bridge: Things are about to get a whole lot more...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/03

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 halfway across town looking for a bed-head, couldn't find one that fit, and went home empty-handed. But the good news is the shops I visited were full of people spending money. Hardware store, full. Furniture store, less full but still busy. The Devil Wears Prada on Saturday night was 100% booked out for sessions running almost on the hour. I've

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15:23

Karen Hao: journalist and author on her new book...

Best of Business ·

2026/05/03

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 journalist Karen Hao started looking into Sam Altman’s OpenAI, she had hopes for the technology, but extensive research and unparalleled access to those closest to the AI arms race left her with a different view. Her work in this space has made her one of the foremost tech journos covering AI. She’s been listed in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential

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3:07

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Microsoft, Amazon,...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/30

The world's leading tech giants - Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta - all recently reported their latest earnings. All of these companies surpassed investor expectations, but one clearly came out on top. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:22

Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/30

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 the Minister of Finance and the Monetary Policy Committee that vote details will be released publicly if committee members are unable to come to consensus on the OCR. The charter comes into effect today. Michael Reddell says it's fairly rare for the committee not to come to a consensus, but it's a good step. "So I'm not criticising it, it's

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4:02

Michael O'Neill: Mt Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/30

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 public ever since a landslide killed six holiday-makers almost 100 days ago. The Mt Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association expects discussions tonight about allowing one route to the top of the mount. President Michael O'Neill says businesses rely on the patronage of people using the mount. He explained the same goes for

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4:06

Chris Small: ABC Business Sales Managing Director on...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/29

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 alone rising 5.5%. ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking it's been a tough 12 months, with many weaker businesses weeded out, leaving high quality small businesses in the market. He says data doesn't reflect the current climate, given two out of three months were not impacted by the war in Iran. Small says

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4:15

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/29

The recent burst of bad weather and growing concerns about inflation have prompted Kiwis to worry about their insurance premiums going up. Insurance premiums have dropped back down and more buffers have been built since Cyclone Gabrielle, but concerns have been raised. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:24

Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/29

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 significant market rally and the S&P 500 saw a boost as a result. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:47

Andrew Fairgray: 2degrees Chief Business Officer on...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/28

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 AI made around $400,000 more in 2025 than comparable non-users. Larger businesses averaged around $59.1 million more, with 82% of firms using some form of AI. 2degrees Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray told Mike Hosking the ones getting the best results are being disciplined and going deep. He says they’re not just redesigning existing

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5:25

Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australia and...

Best of Business ·

2026/04/28

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 looking to bring down inflation, and the ongoing fuel crisis is set to pose additional economic risks. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained why this is the case. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3,595 results

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