Best of Business

President Donald Trump today announced sweeping tariffs on more than 125 countries, including 10 percent on imports coming from New Zealand. One expert is warning New Zealand could also feel the ripple effects of tariffs being imposed on countries like China and Australia. New Zealand International Business Forum Executive Director Stephen Jacobi explained the effects could be wide-ranging. L...

Tomorrow at 9am NZT, investors, economists and financial experts will be tuned in to watch Donald Trump's much-anticipated update regarding tariffs.  Many nations are bracing themselves for the potential economic impacts - but there's hope New Zealand could escape the worst of it. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton speculated ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

Another famed Kiwi restaurant has been forced to close its doors amid the ongoing economic downturn. Sid and Chand Sahrawat are shuttering Ponsonby's KOL, citing challenging trading conditions. Chand Sahrawat says they're tried a number of solutions set to fix the concept - but they're hoping to take on a new challenge. "I think there is some other concept out there - we've got some ideas of what...

The Reserve Bank wasn’t planning to announce former governor Adrian Orr’s resignation until after it had hosted a big international conference. But the unexplained resignation was brought forward by five days to March 5 - the day before the conference, new documents reveal.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Property sales have reached the highest point in years - but the number of unsold homes is at a record high. Barfoot & Thompson has revealed March was a record month for house sales, but unsold stock numbers have been climbing, with 5300 places unsold in January and 5900 in February but 6200 last month. Property investment expert Ed McKnight says vendors aren't willing to take risks at this po...

The Government's move to reject an Auckland America's Cup bid has been met with divided responses. The play for 2027 series can't go ahead without an extra $75 million dollars - and the Government didn't feel like it could be justified. Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen weighs in. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Reserve Bank has moved to hold the OCR steady at 4.1 percent following this afternoon's meeting. Interest rates started to drop in February - but the Central Bank opted to hold off on going further for the time being. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains what inspired the market to make this move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Reserve Bank has kept its Official Cash Rate unchanged - as it waits for the impact of tariffs expected from Donald Trump tomorrow. New Zealand's Central Bank is still expected to drop our Official Cash Rate 25-basis points next week. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the uncertainty around the economy has created complications for the Central Bank. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have recently had 'productive negotiations' about the economic relationship between the UK and US.  The leaders have agreed to keep discussions going ahead of the US' much-anticipated tariffs update this week.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the UK will want to avoid any negative economic impacts that come with these tariffs. LISTEN A...

Auckland Airport has cut its airline charges after the Commerce Commission found the airport’s forecast revenue was “excessive” and its targeted returns were unreasonably high. In June, the commission said Auckland Airport’s revenue and targeted returns exceeded what was reasonable, but the airport’s planned investment seemed appropriate. In its final report today, the regulator again said the air...

President Donald Trump is set to unveil a barrage of tariffs on April 2nd - and industry experts have voiced concerns. The day has been dubbed 'Liberation Day' by the President and his aides, and business experts and economists are worried it will cost jobs and create economic turmoil.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains what could come out of this - and what risks it holds for N...

The Minister-in-charge has promised Interislander's ferries are safe until our new ones arrive. The Government's announced specifications for two ships - rail enabled and larger than the current pair - for roll out by Christmas 2029. Picton's port infrastructure will be replaced, but money will be saved by modifications and refurbishment in Wellington. Previous plans were canned in 2023, after cos...

Small businesses will have less health and safety obligations under new reforms.  Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has revealed her first changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act.  She says small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury to reduce compliance costs.  BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says it wil...

The Finance Minister is looking to boost competition in New Zealand's supermarket sector - with a final push to encourage new players to enter the market. Nicola Willis says any new retailers looking to enter would be given 'VIP treatment' from the Government, removing regulatory hurdles impeding its growth. Former Costco managing director Patrick Noone explains that international retailers have t...

It was a huge weekend in Wellington with Cuba Dupa, three nights of Graham Norton, Sir Bob Geldof, the Hurricanes, the Phoenix and one of the world's largest cruise ships in. So what does a weekend like that do for the city's economy?  Also, w ork on the controversial Golden Mile project begins this month, starting at the Cambridge/Kent terrace end of Courtenay Place. But we've also learnt wo...

Kiwi start-up Kitea Health has experienced a successful start to 2025.  In the last three months, Kitea has secured a place in the FDA fast track programme and they’ve completed a world first - implanting one of their sensors into the brain of a child.  The company has also revealed it's  $7 million and counting into a $10 million funding round. Kitea Health co-founder Simon Malpas...

Kiwi fashion designer Sera Lilly has taken to social media after discovering her designs - and original photos - on fast-fashion online giant Shein. In a video shared to Facebook, Lilly revealed screenshots of at least two of her ‘Friday Flamingo’ designs being sold on the site.  Shein has since removed the photos and items for sale.  Intellectual property law expert Kate Duckworth says...

One expert has voiced concerns ahead of the Finance Minister's announcement to improve competition in the grocery sector. Nicola Willis is set to detail the next steps in the Government's moves to create more competition in the sector - and she's voiced support for a third player joining the market. Grocery policy expert Ernie Newman explained why he's not feeling too confident this will lead to r...

Donald Trump's latest tariffs on auto imports could send the UK into a recession, according to experts. The US President says putting a 25 percent tariff in place would boost manufacturing - but this comes with risks for global supply chains. UK correspondent Enda Brady warns these tariffs could make the economy 'untenable' - and plunge the UK straight into a downturn. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

The Indian stock market is catching the attention of investors - and experts are claiming there's plenty of potential. The economy is also attracting positive attention - but one expert is warning there's a notable Achilles heel. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has recently announced he will be putting 25 percent tariffs on auto imports into the US. Trump explained this move would foster domestic manufacturing - but economists are concerned about the wider implications of this move. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks the outcomes of this - and warns more changes could come as the Trump administration is set to ann...

The 2025 Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropubs Awards took place last night - with the nation's top spots being celebrated by Kiwi fans. Southland's The Fat Duck was named Supreme Champion, and has been recognised as New Zealand's best gastropub. Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage explains what makes a good gastropub - and how it's about more than just food. LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...

A popular Southland hotspot has been named Supreme Champion at the 2025 Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropubs Awards last night. Te Anau's The Fat Duck has been name New Zealand's best gastropub - and has received praise for its 'outstanding' culinary offerings and service. Co-owner Selina Wright joined the Afternoons team to discuss the pub's success - and reveal how The Fat Duck got its na...

KMD Brands, parent of Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz, has posted a $20 million half-year loss despite growing sales year-on-year, a result the company puts down to struggling consumer confidence and wholesale channels. However, the company believes the momentum is building, with Kathmandu’s sales continuing to improve despite the downturn. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. L...

Revenue Minister Simon Watts this month unveiled plans to change the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) regime to give some foreigners with illiquid investments offshore an additional, possibly more advantageous, way of paying tax. He said the Government would also consider exempting more Kiwis from the FIF rules, which incentivise domestic investment, but can be an administrative nightmare. NZ Herald...