Best of Business

There's relief for regional airlines, as they receive help to battle soaring costs. The Government's offering up to $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.  It's also approved funding to allow digital upgrades to be made in order to integrate regional bookings with the platforms of major carriers. Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny says this is good news for the sector. "We're l...

There are questions over whether TVNZ cut too many jobs as it turns a surprisingly strong profit.  The broadcaster's reported an after-tax profit of nearly $26million dollars - after an $85million dollar loss last year.  But it comes after the broadcaster cut jobs - including canning production of programmes like Fair Go, Sunday and the midday and night-time news bulletins.  Talking...

Luxury spending has been booming over the last couple of decades, but many high-end brands have been taking a financial hit. Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have been seeing significant revenue falls since the Covid-19 pandemic. Fisher Funds' Sam Dickie reveals what could be behind the downturn. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, recently reported a net profit after tax of $120 million for the year ended June 2025, which will see it return a $15 million dividend. It's a significant turnaround compared to last year, when the company posted a loss of $26 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, is seeing a significant financial turnaround, having reported a net profit after tax of $120 million for the year ended June 2025, which will see it return a $15 million dividend. It's a significant turn compared to last year's results, where the company posted a loss of $26 million. Chief executive Mark Leslie says he's 'thrilled' to be reporting these results. "It's grea...

There's frustrations over yet another delay to a possible extension of the Port of Tauranga wharves.  The Stella Passage development fast-track application has been halted, days before an expert panel was due to begin discussions.  A High Court judge has directed it must not be considered, pending further orders from the court. Tauranga Business Association CEO Matt Cowley says this is d...

The Government hopes businesses will be in favour of an alcohol regulation shake-up. It's allowing breweries and wineries to have both an on and off license - and is also letting businesses respond to objections around them having a license. Objections need to come from the local community. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says it's important for people to have concerns to have a real voice...

A former supermarket leader agrees New Zealand's lacking competition. The Government's aiming to put supermarkets that would improve competition up for being fast-tracked in new reforms. It comes as the Minister of Finance confirms there's been talks with Costco to potentially expand across the country in the coming years. Former Costco NZ managing director Patrick Noone says their West Auckland s...

The boss of Air Zealand says he's proud they've made even two cents of a dollar this year - as profits drop 13.7 percent.  The airline's being hit hard by a sluggish domestic economy, with costs like landing charges, wages, and engineering material rising much faster than inflation. Outgoing CEO Greg Foran says he appreciates it's been a difficult few years.  "Whether it was starting whe...

It's been revealed the Reserve Bank chairman sent a warning letter to Treasury in the wake of Adrian Orr's resignation. Neil Quigley warned that it would  'immediately destroy the goodwill' between the two entities if it publicly released details of the fateful meeting. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

The state of the US Federal Reserve has always prompted responses from financial markets, but recent actions from the Trump administration have raised eyebrows. Trump recently came out and said he was going to fire Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook earlier in the week. Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne unpacked the market reactions  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The recent energy crisis has rippled out to the big companies, with Meridian the latest to take a significant financial hit. Meridian Energy recently confirmed a $452-million-dollar loss, after being hit by periods of low wind, two major droughts, and a shortage of gas. CEO Mike Roan says the company's been through a tough year, but they managed to shield customers from the high prices. "We took a...

The Government expects new supermarkets to pop up in months, rather than years - with planned reforms. It's introducing legislation to pass before the end of the year to allow supermarkets that boost competition to be up for fast-track approval. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says supermarkets can also apply for streamlined building consents. "Really, it's just a matter of how quickly they can bui...

A build-up of industry income changes could have driven the pay gap between men and women to a historic low.  The pay gap for the June quarter is sitting at 5.2 percent, down from the 8.2 percent seen a year ago. It's the smallest margin seen since Stats NZ began collecting the data in 1998.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says sectors like transport, IT and finance have been...

The Government isn't ruling out a forced breakup of the country's largest supermarket players.  In a bid to improve competition, it's fast tracking applications for grocery businesses to establish or expand in New Zealand - as long as they improve value for shoppers.  Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell joined the Afternoons team to explain further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

A new visa to attract businesspeople to New Zealand has been established by the Government, and really, it's only a matter of days, perhaps weeks, before a loosening on restrictions for foreigners being able to purchase residential property here is announced. Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister, when he was last in-studio with me, said we’ll be announcing that shortly. I said you’ll never get th...

More money could soon circulate through the economy as the Government opens up the country to more overseas businesspeople.    Under its new Business Investor Visa, foreign investors who put at least $2 million into a Kiwi business will be granted a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway.  People who invest $1 million will be given a three-year work-to-residence option.  ABC...

More foreign investors could soon flock in to work hard on Kiwi businesses.   The Government's new Business Investor Visa will give foreign businesspeople who invest at least $2 million into an existing Kiwi business a fast-track to residency.  If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant would have to buy it, and if it's worth more, they'd have to invest at least a quarter of its to...

The number of people coming in on the Government's new Business Investor Visa could be limited.    It'll fast track residency for any foreign investors who put $2 million or more into a Kiwi business.  If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant will have to buy it, and they'll have to invest at least a quarter of its total value if it's worth more than that.  Immigration...

The Reserve Bank's move to review banking capital rules has been welcomed by Federated Farmers. Banking spokesperson Mark Hooper says the stricter rules make it difficult for farmers to borrow money - and these changes will make things fairer. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to new reports, overseas interest in NZ-based companies is at a record high. A new survey by Simpson Grierson says 49 percent of international respondents considering moving more money into New Zealand, compared with 40 percent last year. Salt Funds managing director Matt Goodson explains what's driving this change. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZME is reporting an almost 12 percent rise in half-year earnings. The media company - which owns Newstalk ZB and the Herald - is reporting growth across audio, podcasts, subscriptions, and the OneRoof property website. CEO Michael Boggs says this is a strong result, given the tough economic environment, but there's hope for more growth.  "People are seeing green shoots, but sadly, I've been...

Events discovery platform Eventfinda could soon reach global markets, with help from Ticketek Entertainment Group. The live entertainment business has acquired Eventfinda, subject to conditions. Eventfinda will continue to operate under the same brand, and says clients can be assured that it’s business as usual. Co-founder James McGlinn says the team's 'overjoyed' with the new deal. "It couldn't c...

Do younger Kiwis still have that No.8 wire mentality?  While some are concerned the younger generation is settling as opposed to striving and investing in their ideas and futures, others believe the worry is unfounded.  Icehouse Ventures, a venture capital company that backs Kiwi startups, hosted their 15th Annual Showcase last week, in which nine Kiwi founders presented to over 1,500 in...

Self-employed Kiwis are prioritising their businesses rather than thinking about retirement.  A report by the Retirement Commission and accounting firm Hnry shows just 44% of self-employed people actively contribute to KiwiSaver.  This is compared to 78% of employees.  The report also reveals 41% of self-employed workers don't get any government KiwiSaver contribution.   Retire...