Best of Business

Fonterra's Farmgate Milk Price could surpass $10 this season, according to new ASB forecasts. If it comes to pass, it will be the first double-digit payout on record. ASB Wealth Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown told Mike Hosking weak supply growth, mixed with strong demand, and a weaker than expected New Zealand dollar augurs well for milk prices. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The second of the two major supermarket chains will set up a wholesale grocery service for rival retailers. It was one of the recommendations of the Commerce Commission report into the industry. Foodstuffs announced its plans yesterday with Woolworths announcing a similar move earlier this month. Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin told Mike Hosking they've had a wholesale business...

Based on the available evidence, I can’t see that Fletcher deserves all the hatred it’s copping over the GIB crisis. I know they’re not the most popular corporate from time to time and I suspect there might be some behind-the-scenes stuff we don’t know about, and certainly they should not have 95 percent of the plasterboard market. But, based on what we do know, it seems they are just a convenient...

Fletcher Building has held an investor day today, where it shares its view of where the company is headed. Sam Trethewey from Milford Asset Management was at the briefing and joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a potential conflict of interest in our reserve bank? The new person elected to the board has close ties to a bank that it regulates. Jenee Tibshraeny, Wellington Business Editor at the NZ Herald joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The debate on Fair Pay Agreements is rife again, with it currently in select committee stage. It's expected to become law by the end of the year, but the likes of Business NZ and Retail NZ remain extremely opposed to it. Retail NZ's Greg Harford who spoke today at select committee joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist has found officials were given less than a day's notice of the fuel tax and Road User Charge reduction announced by the Government. Documents show transport agency and ministry officials had less than 24 hours on a Sunday afternoon to cost and develop the policy. The scheme was announced at the Prime Minister's post-Cabinet press conference the next day. NZ Initiative Chief Economist...

Employers are facing a desperate battle to keep their workers. People may will be surprised to hear what is considered the most attractive place to work. Randstad has been doing some research on this and they have found Evolve Education Group the most desirable place to work Country director of Randstad Richard Kennedy joined Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Some scepticism over the Government's latest move to tackle the plasterboard crisis. Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods has set up a taskforce to troubleshoot supply shortages. Combined Building Supplies Co-Op Marketing Director Mike Blackburn says this is a problem that's been plaguing the industry for months now. He told Tim Dower some suppliers have already been looking for solu...

Supply chains could continue to be an issue, even as the world's biggest port re-opens today. Shanghai has been operating at a severely reduced capacity since March. Many shipments have either been cancelled, postponed or rerouted to other Chinese ports. Infometrics economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking supply chain issues could get worse as manufacturing sites reopen. He wonders if ports in Euro...

Several hopes for the Government's plasterboard taskforce. Building and Construction Minister Megan Woods has set up the group to troubleshoot supply shortages. Commercial construction company Naylor Love Chief Executive Rick Herd is one of the taskforce members. He told Mike Hosking hopefully the Government's assistance will educate the construction sector on what options are out there now - such...

The Government has launched a plasterboard taskforce to investigate shortages. The taskforce members are Naylor Love chief executive Rick Herd, Registered Master Builders chief executive David Kelly, Simplicity Living's managing director Shane Brearley, businessman Sir Stephen Tindall, a member of Local Government NZ, and telcom founder Tex Edwards. It's been organised by Building and Construction...

Auckland Council has decided it won't renew its BusinessNZ membership. It costs $20,000 a year to be a member by the Council doesn't think it's worth it. They've come to the conclusion that the membership is not providing value for money and aren't getting much out of it. Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A groundswell is starting to rumble in rural New Zealand. Dairy NZ and Beef+Lamb are calling on the Government to give farmers a fairer deal with setting methane targets. They have been saying that farming is being blamed for a far bigger share of New Zealand's warming than it actually causes. The Country host Jamie Mackay joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

The Government has announced a GIB taskforce to investigate the shortage. It’s going to give advice to those struggling to get alternative plasterboard products and troubleshoot any issues. The taskforce members are Naylor Love chief executive Rick Herd, Registered Master Builders chief executive David Kelly, Simplicity Living's managing director Shane Brearley, businessman Sir Stephen Tindall, a...

The Employment Relations Authority is calling out rogue employment advocates. It says some are giving poor advice, frequently leaving people with thousands of dollars in costs. Employment Law Institute President Kelly Coley told Heather du Plessis-Allan advocates who don't work in clients' best interests can take up valuable Authority time. “The system has only just recently been cleared of a big...

Since his retirement from international rugby in 2015 and all rugby in 2021 – Dan Carter has kept himself busy with plenty of business ventures and collaborations. That includes getting into the NFT game - he co-founded Glorious Digital with the likes of Murray Thom, Craig Heatley and Michael Heron. And that company has just done a deal with Wimbledon - where people can own the memorable moments f...

Could the Gib crisis claim some scalps at Fletcher Building? Shareholder Simplicity Living and the Shareholders Association are calling for the board chair Bruce Hassall to resign and for the entire board to be re-elected at the annual shareholders meeting later this year. They say the board is light on relevant building sector experience and a reset will put Fletcher Building back on the right pa...

There are suggestions we may have seen an economic revival of sorts in the month of May. Despite rising costs, the latest BNZ - Business NZ Performance of Services Index shows a surge in sales and new orders for the month of May. The PSI rose 3 points to 55.2, with anything above 50 pointing to expansion, and this is the highest above average income since Delta arrived back in August. Bagrie Econo...

A CO2 shortage is just another problem for food suppliers. Tegel is concerned about New Zealand's shortage of carbon dioxide gas Beer, fizzy drink, sparking wine, cheese, preserved meats, ready-to-eat meals and healthcare products could also be affected by the ongoing shortage. Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking consumers might not find their favourite products at the supermarket in the n...

A call for the chair of Fletcher Building to resign over the Gib crisis. KiwiSaver provider Simplicity and the Shareholders Association have written to the building giant with the request in the wake of a meeting on Friday. They're also asking for the remaining board members to put themselves up for re-election, and some independent reviews of conduct, culture and risk. Shareholders Association ch...

Would you trust Mahe Drysdale for financial advice? The two-time Olympic champion retired from rowing last year and has taken up a new challenge. He's now an associate financial advisor at Hobson Wealth. Mahe Drysdale joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is gearing up for a Europe trip this weekend. Trade, tourism and foreign policy will all be on the agenda as Jacinda Ardern aims to meet with European leaders, including the UK's Boris Johnson. Ardern has also been invited to the Nato summit in Madrid, and has been invited to attend alongside leaders of Australia, South Korea and Japan. She will also head to Australia with a bus...

It's hoped that an incoming shipment of plasterboard will ease the GIB crisis. The shipment is coming through the online business Container Door. They're importing 15 to 20 containers of the GIB alternative from Asia, with Fletcher still unable to meet demand. Container Door CEO Ben Nathan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Maori Business Professor says commercial ventures surrounding Matariki should be in line with its themes and history. It comes as an advisory document shows MBIE have concerns about the commercialisation of the holiday and that it could take away from its core values. Dr Jason Mika told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's an individual business decision, but anything done should take into account Mata...