Best of Business

The Commerce Commission has confirmed it will not be formally putting the cost of flying under the microscope. Rangitata MP James Meager has suggested the Government could help keep fares competitive by supporting regional airlines. It's been revealed some flights to Pacific Island nations are cheaper than certain trips within New Zealand. Commission Chair Dr John Small says flying short routes wi...

US earnings season has started up again - and new reports indicate Donald Trump's tariffs are starting to bite. Companies across the US have reported shipping from China has taken a significant dip - the biggest reported since the Covid-19 pandemic. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is continuing to buy foreign currency assets to give it more firepower, should it need to intervene in the market during a crisis. The central bank sold a whopping $259 million of New Zealand dollars in March to buy assets, such as government bonds, linked to other currencies. The sale marked the second-largest foreign exchange-related transaction (or series of tran...

The future has been secured for Whakapapa skifield after DoC today granted a 10-year concession. Whakapapa Holdings has signed up to run the Whakapapa skifield on the iconic North Island mountain for the next decade. It's taken multiple Government bail-outs and years of talks to reach this point - since Ruapehu Alpine Lifts folded in 2022.  Whakapapa Holdings Chief Executive Dave Mazey says a...

Another Government curriculum refresh is aiming to give school kids more grasp of money management. The Education Minister's making financial literacy a compulsory topic for years one to ten. The Government is teaming up with financial organisations, banks, and charities for lessons on investment and taxes. Erica Stanford says kids will learn a small dose each year, increasing in complexity as the...

The first 100 days of the new Donald Trump administration have seen capital markets undergo a turbulent few months - but things appear to be stabilising. The tariffs have seen the markets take a noticeable dip, but things have turned the corner this week. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains the factors behind this. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Airports Association has voiced disapproval with the latest review of their regulatory arrangements - and suggested the scrutiny needs to be on Air New Zealand. MBIE has launched another review of airport regulations, just three weeks after the Commerce Commission gave Auckland Airport the tick of approval for an upgrade. NZ Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says it's clear there...

Businesses in the capital city are still feeling glum - Westpac's latest survey has found Wellington has the lowest business confidence of any region in the country. With interest rates dropping and spending increasing, when will confidence return?  Also, Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has officially turned the sod at the first tranche of Golden Mile works this morning. How will the plan affect...

The UK is still hoping to work out a trade deal with the US - but early reports indicate it's quite a way off. Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently arrived in Washington DC, and she's warned negotiations will take time. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK economy needs the extra help, but it's unlikely a deal will come by the end of the week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

US President Donald Trump has spent the past week verbally attacking Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and it's prompted concerns from the markets. Trump recently claimed the US economy could slow down unless interest rates were lowered immediately - and said that Powell's termination 'cannot come soon enough'. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this could mean for investors. LISTEN ABOV...

Local cheesemakers have voiced concerns about the competition created by supermarket-produced home-brands. Smaller brands have been forced to scale back on production to reduce their reliance on the supermarkets - in a bid to focus on filling niches that appeal to Kiwi cheese lovers. The Country's Rowena Duncum explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer confidence has gone back up - but new data indicates people are also worried about inflation. The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey shows consumer confidence rose 5 points to 98.3 in April - but inflation expectations soared 0.5pts to 4.7 percent, the highest reading since July 2023. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacked the factors contributing to this data. LISTEN ABOVE See o...

New reports indicate Donald Trump is considering slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by more than half. No announcements have been made yet- but tariffs could reportedly come down to between roughly 50 percent and 65 percent, according to one senior White House official.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis says China has signalled it's open to trade talks - as officials believe this is the...

The Finance Minister has adamantly denied any suggestions of the Government trying to interfere in the Reserve Bank. Critics have raised concerns that the Reserve Bank's temporary Governor and Chair are acting to appeal to Nicola Willis' interests. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the negative press and volatile climate, some financial markets have managed to hold up solidly throughout 2025. The consumer staples industry - food, beverages, household products - and all the brands tied to that sector have managed to stay strong throughout the year. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Chicken exports are returning to normal after a bird flu outbreak in Otago last year. Last December, New Zealand experienced its first confirmed case of avian influenza on an Otago egg farm and thousands of chickens were culled. While the outbreak was contained to the Hillgrove farm, measures were taken to prevent further spread, including surveillance and temporary suspension of chicken exports....

There's been some positive trade news. Stats NZ data shows goods exports rose 19 percent to $7.6 billion in March - compared to the same time a year ago. Milk powder, butter and cheese rose 35 percent to $2.3 billion. Goods imports rose 12 percent to $6.6 billion. Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon unpacked the factors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's less than a month to go until the 2025 Budget is unveiled - and the Finance Minister has been clear about the goals she aims to tackle. Nicola Willis says New Zealand has been in a significant deficit since 2019, and she's determined to get back into surplus by 2027/2028. She explained getting the country back into surplus will help to pay down debt. "We're borrowing every day right now to...

Limited Easter trading hours are bringing extra financial burdens for businesses according to retailers. The Retail Radar survey shows almost 70 percent of retailers are concerned about the cost of living - with merchant fees also top of mind.  The law says local council have the final say on when businesses are allowed to open.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says these restric...

If you live in a city, there is something quite special about waking up on Good Friday - to the sound of silence. There are no cars on the road, no hum of traffic in the distance, no sound of people going about their day-to-day routines. My first thought on Friday was - it’s like Christmas Day. My second thought wasn’t as pleasant - it’s like lockdown. But the feeling was the same - how nice the w...

With China and the US promising trade war escalations, economists are speculating about the future of the tariffs and how they'll impact global economies. Some have have drawn parallels with the Great Depression - and warned the world should be prepared for a downturn.  Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows inflation's gone up again - and there's concerns about what it could mean going forward. The latest Stats NZ figures put the rate at 2.5 percent, up from 2.2 percent three months ago. It's the first time it's risen in almost three years. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this could mean for the state of the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Genesis Energy has confirmed it plans to shift its focus over to coal, as gas production declines and no other suitable sources have been found. Genesis has made clear it sees a declining role for gas in electricity generation - despite the Government's attempts to get offshore oil and gas exploration going properly.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie isn't surprised by this - given...

US tariffs are expected to impact our next inflation figures, according to new reports. The rate increased in the three months to March to 2.5 percent - up from 2.2 percent to December. Petrol, milk, cheese, eggs have all gone up, alongside a dip in prices for international flights and games. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says the new tariffs could push inflation down because of weak...

Labour is staying tight-lipped, as Te Pāti Māori says Māori should receive New Zealand Superannuation seven to 10 years before everyone else. Meanwhile, the Green Party supports lowering the age of eligibility for Super for some groups in society. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this has prompted a divided response. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...