Best of Business

The Official Cash Rate is expected to rise this year, although forecasters say predicting when is tricky. Inflation was stronger in the December quarter than expected, at 3.1 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen is picking a hike in November - with an outside possibility of one in May.  He says other signs in the market signal a possible increase.  "Actual bank rates for l...

A possible sign of the economic recovery with Michael Hill's New Zealand operation reporting its first positive result in more than two years.  In the six months to December the jeweller made $62 million worth of sales, increasing by 2.4%.  First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson says jewellery's a good sign of discretionary spending and consumer confidence.  He told Mi...

Despite Labour raising some concerns with the Government's trade deal with India, the move has been welcomed by rural economists. Trade analyst Stephen Jacobi says the Government timed the deal perfectly - and might have had to wait years if they prolonged the negotiations. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Post is being criticised for its radio silence, after announcing it's withdrawing services from inside 142 stores.  Despite the changes, 90 percent of customers will still be within four kilometres of an NZ Post store.  Postal Workers' Union organiser John Maynard says NZ Post hasn't talked about the hubs being set up to provide good services.  He says it shouldn't be on the unio...

There's been growing debate over how Auckland's CBD can be revitalised after years of uncertainty and economic decline. The $5.5 billion City Rail Link is due to be built at the second half of the year and it's promised to bring in economic benefits, but it's unclear if it'll get the city in motion.  Kiwi entrepreneur Andrew Barnes says a lot of shops and businesses have been closed, and it's...

US President Donald Trump has been upping the pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates. The US Federal Reserve is set to convene next week, and it's looking likely that they'll keep rates on hold at this stage. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly unpacked the speculation further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hoping inflation can drop back into the Reserve Bank's target band off the back of the latest data. The annual inflation rate for 2025 was 3.1 percent, up from 3 percent for the year to September. Willis says the Government supports the Reserve Bank getting back to their target band of 1 to 3 percent. "It's inflation that's the broadest driver of the cost of livin...

More and more job hunters are using AI to craft their CVs, but experts are looking to warn them away from the concept. Recent research shows half of Kiwi jobseekers are using AI tools to try and find work, but the trend is proving inconvenient for recruiters - and could be damaging their chances. GoGetta CEO Colleen Getley says everyone is utilising ChatGPT and similar platforms to create their CV...

Inflation's officially higher than it's supposed to be.  Latest Stats NZ data shows inflation's reached 3.1% – up from 3% at the last update three months ago.  That's above the Reserve Bank's target range of 1 to 3%.  The Herald's Liam Dann told John MacDonald it's also well above the Reserve Bank's forecast of 2.7%.  He says there were hopes inflation was starting to fall agai...

The new year is getting under way, but concerns have been raised over what investors should focus on for 2026. There's risks impacting the tech sector and experts are hoping things will improve going forward. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest operating reports by New Zealand's leading power companies indicate things are looking up. Both Contact Energy and Genesis Energy have confirmed hydro storage is up, meaning both companies are in a better position than expected  Genesis Energy CEO Malcolm Johns explains what this development could mean for Kiwis ahead of the winter season. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

If you don't know him, Jamie Dimon is the boss of JP Morgan and quite a smart guy, obviously. I've mentioned him a few times on this show because he's a good thinker - and says some pretty reasonable and practical things about big issues. He's spoken about AI and reckons we need to slow down. If we don't slow down, society, he reckons, could tear itself apart. And he's not talking about in ten yea...

There's signs the brain drain could be slowing, according to new reports. A total of 67,800 citizens left the country in the year to November 2025, many for Australia - for a net loss topping 40,000. In the year to the November before, the net migration loss of Kiwis reached almost 44,000. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen says most trends have plateaued. "Instead of seeing huge numbers of Ki...

The European Parliament is planning to suspend approval of the US trade deal that was agreed to last July, according to new reports. Donald Trump has been ramping up his efforts to acquire Greenland, including threatening new tariffs over the issue. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this could see US-based companies barred from EU contracts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Experts have indicated the Reserve Bank could be done cutting the OCR for the moment, and there's questions about what this could mean for homeowners. The window of time borrowers had to lock in longer term fixed rates after the OCR cut and before they started rising was narrow, and reports indicate they could have missed their chance. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explaine...

Accounting software business Xero has started 2026 on a low note, with the share price dropping significantly. This is in line with other challenges in the technology sector, which have seen noticeable drops. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three of New Zealand's biggest sporting bodies have seen their leaders depart, and it's prompted concerns about what this could mean for the sector. NZ Rugby head Mark Robinson is set to depart the role, Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie resigned at the end of last year and NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink recently resigned following a scandal. Former NZ Cricket CEO Martin Snedden says the leadership role'...

A new challenger's taking on Auckland in the race for the most expensive properties.  Trade Me data shows the Bay of Plenty's average asking price has dethroned Auckland's for the first time in 10 years.  It's sitting on $963,000 - $11,000 above Auckland.  But Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight says that doesn't translate to higher sale values.  "The median sale price of a hou...

New reports show China's 2025 birth rate was lower than expected, and that's impacted A2 Milk's shares. Data out of China revealed there were 5.63 live births per 1000 people in 2025 - the country’s lowest reading since 1939 and the fourth straight year of declines. Forsyth Barr analyst Matt Montgomerie says A2 Milk was halted on the Australian stock exchange, prompting further concerns.  LIS...

Welcome news for shareholders from one of our largest companies' change in direction. Fletcher Building is selling its construction arm to French multinational Vinci Construction in a deal worth up to $334 million. The sale is subject to regularity approval, and reflects Fletcher’s move to focus on manufacture and distribution. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners says it'll help the compan...

US President Donald Trump has warned eight European countries he'll impose and hike tariffs - unless he can take over Danish autonomous territory, Greenland.  Global leaders have held meetings in a bid to address the trans-Atlantic conflict. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained the economic impacts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing concerns in the world of air travel, as New Zealand currently lacks a 24/7 backup airport. Ohakea Airbase originally filled that gap, but it hasn't returned to full operation since the Covid-19 pandemic. Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director Cath O'Brien explained why changes need to be made. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined her goals for the new year, as the Government prepares for the upcoming 2026 election. Willis is hoping Kiwi voters will see the benefits of re-electing a National-led Government so that they can feel rewarded for their hard work. She says the economy grew as a whole last year, and voters can hope to see more in 2026. "So we see more job creation, more o...

Thousands of blue collar and working class New Zealanders have expressed clear disapproval for this Government.  The Council of Trade Unions' Mood of the Workforce survey this month asked more than 3500 people about the past year. More than 90 percent rated the Government performance at one - or two - out of five.  CTU President Sandra Grey says people feel exceptionally let down by the...

Chocolate products could be in for a shake-up, as manufacturers race to develop cocoa alternatives. A Rabobank report shows food companies are looking into new technologies to substitute traditional beans. Climate-related pressures are driving up global cocoa prices, and disrupting supply chains. RaboResearch analyst Paul Joules says companies will look into fermenting plants like oats and seeds f...