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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

4:19

Vittoria Short: ASB CEO on the bank reporting profit...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/12

ASB's settlement over alleged historic breaches of credit disclosure rules has affected its bottom line. The bank reached a $135.6-million-dollar settlement in October last year. In annual results released today, ASB's reporting a six-percent rise in operating income, but a 16 percent rise in operating expenses. CEO Vittoria Short says inflation and new investments in technology also added to the profit drop. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2:32

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on job ads...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/12

The uncertain economic environment could be the reason for climbing unemployment and declining job ads. The latest Seek data shows job ads fell 0.8 percent last month, the third consecutive month of decline. It suggests conditions remain strongest in the South Island, while centres like Auckland, Wellington, and Waikato face greater headwinds. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold says the labour market has not emerged unscathed from the Iran war. "Perhaps at the start of the year, they were looking

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2:34

Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group Managing Director...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/11

More people are starting businesses, despite tough economic conditions. Data shows there's been more than 62 thousand companies incorporated in the year to July, the highest number since 2021. That's despite latest Companies Office data finds liquidations have surged – rising more than 70% in the past three years. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Mike Hosking the current gig economy is reducing a lot of barriers. He says inflation is bringing the GST threshold closer and

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4:28

Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australia...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/11

Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank has moved to keep the official cash rate in place at 4.35 percent. The result was widely expected by economists and money markets, despite inflation remaining above the RBA’s 2-3 percent target range in the June quarter. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says there's evidence that the Australian economy is slowing down, which is helping put downward pressure on inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:30

John Cuthbertson: Chartered Accountants Australia New...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/11

More Kiwis than ever are in debt to the IRD, and one expert has a theory about why it's gotten so bad. As of March this year, more than half-a-million people had debt to Inland Revenue, and overall tax debt sat at $9.4 billion, of which Inland Revenue said 62 percent, or $5.9 billion, was collectable. Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand lead, John Cuthbertson, says there's been a significant build-up of debt, largely as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. "As debt ages, it becomes harder to

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2:13

Chris Hipkins: Labour leader on the party's bid to...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/11

Labour says small businesses are our economy's engine room, as the party launches a new election policy in Rotorua. It's campaigning on a $2 million annual fund to help smaller businesses adopt AI tools. It would also go into topping up an advisory group to help with AI use, and boosting mentoring and support. Leader Chris Hipkins says small businesses want to adapt to this new technology, and they want additional support to make this happen. "So that they can weigh up how AI could help them, what

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3:22

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

Best of Business ·

2026/08/10

Contact Energy has reported a record net profit of $423 million, driven by the acquisition of Manawa Energy and higher renewable generation. The result was good for investors, but some have raised concerns over other issues. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5:33

Liam Whittaker: Heirest founder on what the new...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/10

New online jewellery startup Heirest aims to reset the market by offering consumers a unique experience. Customers can customise every detail, from metal and gemstone to cut, carat and engraving - with every choice visualised instantly and pricing updated in real time. Founder Liam Whittaker says smaller brands can utilise lab-grown diamonds and new technology, but they don't have the same reach as big companies, and his work at Zuru has encouraged him to think big. LISTEN ABOVESee

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8:14

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National looking...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/10

Nicola Willis says the National's new proposed increase to the fuel tax, the new bed tax and the possible bank levy aren't new information. A Taxpayers' Union Curia Issue poll shows 76 percent of National supporters want the party to promise no new taxes or tax increases. The party yesterday outlined a promise for fiscal responsibility - including a commitment to lower the debt to GDP ratio and to get the books back into surplus. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says these proposals have been

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2:21

Andrew Harvey-Green: Forsyth Barr equity analyst on...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/10

Contact Energy is putting serious thought into data centres, after reporting record earnings. The gentailer's made a $423 million annual profit - up nearly 28 percent. It's now in talks with Australian firm CDC Data Centres, for a 250 megawatt data centre in Taranaki. Forsyth Barr equity analyst Andrew Harvey-Green says CDC has a good track record, and grid and fibre connections are ready to go at the site. He explained Contact covers the generation side - so from an New Zealand-inc perspective,

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40:09

Amanda Morrall: Does AI play a role in personal finance?

Best of Business ·

2026/08/09

The Cost of Living Crisis has driven a lot of Kiwis to look for financial advice, and many turn to AI over a financial advisor. But is AI really that reliable as a source of financial advice? And investing in AI seems to be the thing to do at the moment, is it somethng you should be getting in to or watching with caution? Money Coach Amanda Morrall joins Tim Beveridge on Smart Money to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2:25

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on Labour's...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

There’s a view Labour's small business policy would give owners more room to grow. The party wants to up the GST threshold, lift the asset write-off, and require big businesses to pay small suppliers faster. It'll cost $1.5 billion and will scrap the current Government's more expensive Investment Boost scheme. Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Ryan Bridge it's great starting point and would make growth and innovation easier. She says cashflow and compliance are current pain points, which

en-US

5:58

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on SpaceX's first...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

Revenue's soaring for Elon Musk's spacecraft company SpaceX - but so is spending. It's published its first earnings report as a public company. SpaceX says its revenue's grown 92 percent compared to a year ago, bringing it to $7.8 billion. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:16

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Rabobank's latest...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

Rabobank has unveiled their latest agribusiness report for August - and claimed there's plenty to watch going forward. Dairy, beef and sheepmeat are seeing good results, with momentum likely to continue, but there's some concerns impacting the global market. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5:06

Chris Hipkins: Labour leader on the party's new...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

Labour says its new election policy aimed at small businesses is about making life a little easier. If it gets into power, the Labour will raise the GST threshold, lift asset write-offs and require big businesses to pay up faster. It would axe the current Government's Investment Boost, which lets businesses deduct 20 percent of the cost of a new asset. Leader Chris Hipkins says small businesses shouldn't be a line of credit for big businesses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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2:22

Delaney Myers: Bus and Coach Association CEO on why...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

There's concerns Kiwi bus drivers lured to Sydney for better opportunities are regretting the move. The job has a high turnover, with nine out of ten new drivers leaving within six months. It's being blamed on onerous contracts and stressful working conditions. Bus and Coach Association CEO Delaney Myers says Kiwi drivers are attractive to operators because they don't need visas to work, so employing them is cost-effective. "It is a beautiful, liveable city - the sand might be whiter, but the grass

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3:52

Chris Small: ABC Business Sales CEO on the...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/06

AI might be contributing to our rising unemployment rate. Stats NZ data shows unemployment jumped to 5.6% in the June quarter, up from 5.3% in March. It's the highest rate in 11 years and higher than most economists had been picking. ABC Business Sales’ Chris Small told Ryan Bridge when you compare the South Island’s rate of 3.7% to the North Island’s 6%, it seems like more of a white-collar problem than a blue-collar one. He says AI is filling a bit of a void for some business owners, which means

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3:35

Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/05

The Employers and Manufacturers Association says businesses are forging ahead despite a sluggish economy. The unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in June – the highest level in 11 years. Economists point to the war in Iran as one factor behind the rise, creating uncertainty and making businesses cautious about hiring. EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking he’s hopeful we’ve reached the peak – there’s good things happening under the surface, so hopefully soon we can start turning the other

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3:20

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business...

Best of Business ·

2026/08/05

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has commissioned an investigation into workplace conduct and culture at the Financial Markets Authority. The ministry, which is tasked with monitoring the financial market regulator, has appointed Kirsty McDonald KC to lead the investigation. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:02

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

Best of Business ·

2026/08/05

After a difficult period last month, US equity markets appear to be on the up. The prospect of a new Iran deal appears to have inspired some hope as well, with fuel prices dropping down again. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

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