Best of Business

There are fear airlines may start losing interest in coming to New Zealand.  A phased reopening of the border begins at the end of this month, without MIQ.  But Board of Airline Representatives executive director, Justin Tighe Umbers told Kate Hawkesby, airlines won't be able to fill planes, because of the self-isolation requirement.  He says airlines want to know by the end of the month if New Ze...

From our rock and a hard place file comes the revelations, if that’s not too strong a word, over the tax price you pay if you help your kid out buying a house. National's Andrew Bayly has been making the headlines with this one and he is onto something many hadn't thought about or thought through. It doesn't help that the government already look greedy this week with the revelation, and that’s not...

Landlord and property expert Matthew Ryan joins Nick Mills to answer your questions on the ever-changing property market.  LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Meachen, owner of Smith the Grocer, and Jonty Hendry Chief Executive of Bats Theatre talk about the impact of the Red Traffic light setting with Nick Mills. Meachen opened up about the trickle-down effects from a struggling sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A music group says the Government hasn't properly acknowledged calls to support the arts sector.   The Government has announced a $120 million boost for the arts.   It includes $70 million for the event support scheme, and $35.5 million for the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief fund.   Electric duo Sachi's Will Thomas told Mike Hosking the Government response to them hasn't been good enough.   Thom...

More government money for childcare is being pushed as a way to help New Zealand services which are struggling financially.  The New South Wales Government will be giving families a $500 voucher for each primary school child, to be spent on before and after school care.  It aims to ease the burden of childcare and give people more options as they return to work.   Out of School Care Network manage...

Time is running out to save the biggest harvest of the year from going to waste.   There's just a two-week window for the Government to allow 200 skilled machinery operators in for the autumn harvest, following a promise made in December.   Farmers say if the workers don't arrive soon, crops will go to waste.   Blue Glass Contracting director Brook Nettleton told Mike Hosking they've faced the sam...

Most first home buyers would probably be knocked off the property ladder, if they couldn't use their KiwiSaver for a deposit.  The OECD has recommended blocking access to KiwiSaver for first time buyers, looking to raise a deposit.  It says this would help cool the property market.  First Home Buyers' Club director, Lesley Harris, told Kate Hawkesby well over 90 percent of first home buyers need t...

It seems harder than ever to find a rental property in Wellington at the moment. Wellington Business Editor Hamish Rutherford agrees the capital's rental market is "cooked" and says it comes down to rental stock with intensification to bolster stock one solution.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermarkets are continuing to make plans to deal with disruption, as the Omicron variant spreads.   Foodstuffs North Island says demand is relatively normal again, after a buying rush when the country moved into red last week.   It's holding about 29 percent more stock this summer than previous years.   CEO Chris Quin told Mike Hosking preparations are also being made in case a lot of workers hav...

A new Kiwi tech company is staking it's claim in the multi-billion-dollar headphones market.   earSHOTS have launched a new wireless earphone specifically aimed at those doing sporting activities.   The twist? These earphones utilise magnets to clip them to your ears so they don't fall off and the magnetic design has now been successfully patented in the United States.  earSHOTS founder James Bell...

Employers can ask their staff not to travel under the Red Traffic Light setting -- but they can't set it in stone.  Newstalk ZB has learned some employers are encouraging their staff to "lock down" and discouraging them from moving around the country.  That's despite the current restrictions having no limits on regional travel.  Lawyer Mai Chen says told Mike Hosking there's a big difference betwe...

Employees across the country say their workplaces are trying to ban them from inter-regional travel, due to the Red traffic light setting.  Of course, people can currently travel anywhere within New Zealand for any reason.  Brett O'Riley, from the Employers and Manufacturers Association joined Kate Hawkesby.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to alleviate stress in the entertainment industry, under the red traffic light settings.   The country's biggest one-day music festival - Electric Avenue - is off due to Covid-19.   Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they're advocating for subsidies to get the industry up and running.   She says the Arts and Culture Event Sup...

Grant Robertson says the historically high rate of inflation is a sign of the global times.  Annual inflation has hit 5.9 percent for the 2021 calendar year - the highest inflation rate recorded in more than three decades.  Most economists expect the inflation rate to rise even further this year.  The Finance Minister told Tim Dower what New Zealand's experiencing is part of a global phenomenon, t...

Gender-based pricing has been given the chop at a Christchurch hair salon.   Instead, time and skill required will determine the cost.  There are hope this will make prices more inclusive and other salons will follow suit.  RU&CO hair spa brand manager Jordan James joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how easy it is to spend other people‘s money right? Children and politicians are experts at it.  Most of us were confronted with yesterday's news regarding the rate of inflation and the impending impact we can expect to see on just about everything we purchase.  My grandfather told my mother - who also told all of her seven children that if you don’t have the money in your pocket - you ca...

Annual inflation has reached 5.9 percent - the highest in more than three decades.  It's the biggest movement since a 7.6 percent annual increase in the year to June 1990.  However, it's lower than many economists were predicting.  NZ Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann joined Kerre McIvor.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation could be about to reach its highest point in three decades -- and keep climbing for months to come.  The latest Consumer Price Index data is due out at 11 this morning.  Most economists are predicting an annual inflation rate of about six-percent for the 2020 calendar year.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Tim Dower there's not much we can do to avoid the effects of high inflatio...

Things aren't looking any rosier for people trying to get on the property ladder.  A new CoreLogic report suggests the property market has moved past its peak growth rate.  However, independent economist Tony Alexander told Tim Dower that won't help first home buyers.  He says the tightening of home lending rules has stripped away their ability to get into the market.  “It’s been a heck of a last...

More and more, job seekers are being asked to include a video resume with their application. Linkedin data shows 79 percent of hiring managers think video has become more important for vetting candidates. Robert Walters Recruitment uses video cover letters - and Auckland director Grant Hadbgood joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Z Energy is rejecting claims that it's pocketing more profits from rising fuel prices. New Zealanders are feeling the pain at the pump, with fuel prices the highest ever, and continuing to rise this summer. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has released data suggesting much of the price rise is due to fuel companies pocketing more profits. Z Energy Chief Executive Mike Bennetts t...

The tap's being turned down on cheap money, which is making markets nervous. The New Zealand share market fell into correction territory yesterday morning, but recovered during the afternoon to close down 1.27 per cent. US stocks are also down, with the S&P 500 index falling and the Dow tumbling more than 800 points. Craigs Investment Partners analyst Mark Lister told Tim Dower that's expected to...

Omicron's arrival in the Nelson region is sending shudders through the local business community. The country has been plunged into Red after a Motueka family of nine tested positive for the variant. An Air New Zealand crew member also has it and may have been infectious on five flights. Nelson Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Ali Boswijk told Tim Dower larger businesses have been putting in dua...

The move to Red has sparked a string of event cancellations. Both the New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin and New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland have been cancelled. Auckland's Splore Festival, Christchurch's Great Kiwi Beer Festival and Sculpture on the Peninsula, Dunedin's Craft Beer and Food Festival, and parts of Wellington's Lunar New Year Festival have also been called off. Viv Beck, chie...