Best of Business

Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland is set to make a case for New Zealand exporters at a hearing of the US International Trade Commission in the coming days. This weekend's hearing will determine whether lamb imports are causing harm to US producers, with Beef + Lamb NZ arguing that imports help meet demand from US consumers. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the Commission has until November 13 to det...

Three months after Burger Burger went into liquidation, the Kiwi brand has been given a new chance at life. Four big Kiwi brands, Neat Meat, Mammoth Brands, Eastrock and Sawmill Brewery, have joined forces to revive the burger chain.  Mammoth Brands co-founder Chris Henderson says the newly reopened Torbay store is seeing huge crowds.  "Just seeing the love from the community, the connec...

Tonight's leaders' debate between Luxon and Hipkins isn't the only big political face-off happening tonight.  The ‘ASB Great Finance Debate’ will take place in Queenstown this evening, and the finance spokespeople from all the major parties will outline their campaign announcements.    NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny was there - and she unpacked the mood of the...

The 2026 election season is well underway - but what does this campaign mean for the economy? The retirement sector has taken a hit on the NZX, with many leading companies seeing market drops. Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwibank's new mascot sheep has been the subject of scandal and questionable content, and the bank has weighed in. Sexualised tweets about Buck the Sheep have gone viral, and Last Week Tonight's John Oliver even discussed the reactions on his show.  UOA marketing professor Mike Lee says Kiwibank's response video indicates the bank might have misunderstood the situation.  "We're not talki...

Costco is eyeing up its next location - this time in the South Island. The US bulk retailer, which sells goods and groceries at discounted wholesale prices, opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland four years ago. Costco told Newstalk ZB last year it was 'working on' a potential expansion, and new reports indicate this store will be in Christchurch. Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald...

New Zealand's aluminium extrusion industry has urged the Government to take action in order to reduce the impact of offshore competition.   Industry leaders have asked the Government to introduce tougher safeguard protection measures - a request the Government has since rejected.      McKechnie Aluminium Solutions managing director Dave Slomp says it's a 'dark day' for the...

Air New Zealand's partnership with Qantas is due to come to and end, and there's growing speculation a new partnership with Virgin Australia could replace it. If the deal is approved, Virgin Australia could become Air New Zealand's new official domestic partner for Australia - which opens up new opportunities for the airline. Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley says Air New Zealand had a pri...

ASB says elections aren't usually a handbrake for business or household decisions.   Fresh analysis from the bank has found activity doesn't tend to slow down before an election or speed up right after one.   Senior Economist Mark Smith says there were two exceptions around the 2008 and 2020 elections but adds that was probably because of the GFC and the pandemic.  Business Canterbu...

Hss Paddock to Pantry just confirmed what most of us who think the whole “blow up the super market” game is stupid …were in fact right? The most open display of pandering to the lowest common denominator I have seen in years is virtually every party promising to take you to the promised isle of cheap food, and the only one left with common sense and an adult approach is ACT, who see this for what...

Auckland Startup Week is set to begin for another year, and it's set to draw some extra attention to the tech sector. The event runs from October 12-16, and it features 45 events across Auckland's city centre.  Auckland Council General Manager of Economic Development Pam Ford says these startups will be creating more jobs and helping find solutions for global issues. "We're just trying to bui...

The election season is well underway, and employment is a key issue for many voters. National has pledged more drug testing for beneficiaries, to ensure more Kiwis are ready to get into work, and Labour has voiced opposition to this idea. National Social Development Minister Louise Upston says she's confident the Government's measures to reduce unemployment are working - but there's more to be don...

Talks are underway between McDonald’s and New Zealand's arable industry to encourage the fast food giant to use locally grown grain for its burger buns. The New Zealand branch of McDonald’s currently uses grain sourced from imported Australian wheat - which then gets processed in Auckland. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The US mid-term elections are set to take place in four weeks, and experts are speculating about what this means for the economy. Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen - and it's increased the likelihood that the Democrats could take the House. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained what this could all mean for investors.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

In last night's debate, politicians and influential business leaders outlined their visions for the future of New Zealand's economy.    The future of growth is top of mind for many, and one expert has outlined a plan for how the nation could grow its GDP. Growth NZ co-chair Bowen Pan says New Zealand needs to focus on the sectors where it can be 'world-class' - as it can't be good at eve...

New Zealand Rugby is filing in the High Court to protect its Chiefs trademark as Australian rugby league bosses push ahead with calling the NRL's 19th team the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.    The new team is set to join the competition in 2028, with the official launch intended for October 21.   Chiefs chief executive Simon Graafhuis says there's been 30 years of growth and develop...

National's small business plan is being seen as practical, but not transformational.  The party's released a 47 point plan to cut red tape for small businesses, which it would implement if re-elected.   It features tweaks to non-trade barriers, employment relations, health and safety, and a review of the compulsory GST registration threshold.  ABC Business Sales Managing Director Ch...

A tick of approval for the National Party's small business plan.  It's released a 47-point plan to cut red tape for them around things like employment disputes and health and safety.  Small Business New Zealand Founder Phil Wicks says it creates a fairly cohesive plan.  He told Andrew Dickens while any help is appreciated what businesses really want is a growing economy.  Wicks...

The 2026 election campaign is a big topic for Kiwis, but it's not the only political topic impacting the economy. France and the US are facing their own mid-terms and the results are likely to have wide-reaching economic implications. Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has suggested that if elected, everyone in the public service would be paid the living wage of $29.90 an hour - $6 more than the current minimum wage. Economists have raised concerns with this proposal and claimed this could likely lead to inflation going up. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

A new app is helping restaurants offer dynamic pricing. EatClub lets businesses with empty tables offer impromptu discounts on the app, to bring in customers. The French Cafe, Cassia, Eden Noodles and Joe's Garage are among restaurants signed up. Chief marketing officer Louis Esther says in the case of a cancellation, it lets them still book customers. "We operate at scale across Australia and the...

The union for public servants says morale is low, with the axe hovering over more IRD jobs. Chief executive Peter Mersi has told Inland Revenue staff by the 2028/29 financial year, the baseline budget will have been cut 20 percent. They've been told cost-slashing will include considering reducing jobs. PSA spokesperson Duane Leo says the future is uncertain and staff have endured years of cuts. "W...

Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence.  The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms expect the economy to improve in the coming months.  That's up from just 14% last quarter.  Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens businesses want policies that lift productivity, and more cert...

Businesses could be spending more increasing staff next year.  The latest NZIER Quarterly Business Survey shows a net 40 percent of companies expect general economics to improve. NZIER Principal Economist Christina Leung says businesses are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, despite domestic concerns.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

An investment fund manager says political parties need to reach a consensus on KiwiSaver, so people can get on with saving.  ACT has announced it wants to cut the tax on investment earnings through KiwiSaver, while also scrapping the $260-a-year Government contribution.  Labour, National, New Zealand First and Opportunity also have revealed plans for the scheme. Milford Asset Management...