Best of Business

The US share market bounced back at the end of last week, despite growing concerns about America's economic future. New data shows there's a decline in consumer confidence in the US. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study from the Building Research Association has found that indoor summer temperatures have gone up 6 to 10 percent in the last 20 years. The new insulation standards that came into force in 2023 aren't to blame for these changes, according to the report. Chris Litten from the Building Research Association unpacks what could be causing these changes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

New Zealand's sheep farmers could be big winners if we secure a trade deal with India.  The Prime Minister has announced formal negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will begin next month. The inclusion of dairy products was a key snagging point in negotiations that fell flat in 2015.  Meat Industry Association Independent Chair, Nathan Guy, says the primary industry has a...

Wellington Airbnb hosts are hitting out at the city council and claiming accommodation rate hikes are overkill.  It's proposing applying commercial rates to short-term accommodation providers. It could treble owners' costs - leaving many hosts fearing for their businesses. Airbnb volunteer community leader Julie Wilson says her rates would rise from about $11,000 to about $40,000 and she'd ha...

The Government has announced New Zealand will enter into a free trade agreement with India.  The announcement came overnight as the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has travelled to India this week.  What does the agreement involve?  Trade Minister Todd McLay talks to Mike Hosking about the development.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy, trade, and talks will be top-of-mind as the Prime Minister lands in India today. Christopher Luxon's being joined by a large business and community delegations, alongside three Ministers - as he aims to strengthen the two countries' relationships. The PM's due to meet India's Prime Minister and pitch for increased trade and business opportunities. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Wa...

The default Kiwisaver contribution rate could be due for a shakeup. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is looking at upping the amount employees and employers contribute to their KiwiSaver accounts. With an ever-increasing aging population, Willis explained she wants to ensure more Kiwis are financially secure in retirement.  Simplicity co-founder Sam Stubbs has voiced support with these proposed...

Liam Dann joined Matt Heath and Tyler Adams to explain how public private partnerships work.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tesla's share price has taken a dive in recent months. Donald Trump's ascension to the US Presidency initially helped boost the share price, but it's since dropped by 50 percent. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people leaving the country long-term hit another new record in the year to January - but monthly data suggests the brain drain has peaked. Stats NZ provisional data for the January 2025 year (compared with January 2024) showed migrant departures up 18 percent to 122,800, the highest on record for an annual period. Migrant arrivals, at 155,300 were down, 31 percent for the year. NZ He...

Investors are keen to see a long term pipeline of work - before committing to spending their money here.  More than a hundred companies, managing about six trillion in capital, are at the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland. Brett Shepherd from Craigs Investment Partners says the Government's messages of support were well-received by the summit's attendees. "The commitme...

The Minister in charge of the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit says deals will mostly be done in the coming weeks, months and years ahead. More than a hundred companies, managing about six trillion dollars in capital, are at the Government's two day summit in Auckland. But Chris Bishop says there's already been one tangible commitment from Australian investor Plenary group. "They've p...

Over in Australia, Westpac's head is urging people to stop complaining over the new tariffs set out by the Trump administration. The US President has recently confirmed Australia won't be exempt from new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports going forward. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's likely Australia will face more tariffs in the coming days - and experts are suggesting Austral...

Investors have voiced concerns over declining US market growth - resulting in a significant drop. US President Donald Trump also didn't rule out a recession in a recent interview, which led to further pullbacks this week. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Monetary Fund is cautioning the Government against bending over backwards, deregulating banks in a bid to spur more competition in the sector. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is getting advice on whether she should make the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) loosen the way it regulates banks. The Commerce Commission has also suggested the rules could be changed to make it easier f...

Delegates from some of the world's largest banks and investment firms have arrived in Auckland for the Government's first Infrastructure Investment Summit. Cabinet Ministers are expected to front a raft of sessions over the next two days - and it's believed a series of announcements will be delivered regarding New Zealand's future. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls is set to be at tomorrow'...

The Energy Minister says he's doing his best to improve the stability of energy supply.  A new gas well at the Pohokura Production Station in Taranaki was switched on this morning.  It will provide 4 petajoules of gas a year, which could power about 146,000 homes annually.  Shane Jones says it won't be a silver bullet - but it will help.  "So I'm working on various proposals as...

Banks are hanging tough despite tough economic conditions.  A KPMG report has found the sector's net profit for 2024 increased just 0.25 percent from the previous year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this still adds up to $7.22 billion. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoe Group's revenue has stayed virtually flat, with profit taking a hit. Total revenue for the owner of Briscoe Homeware and Rebel Sport decreased 0.06 percent - to $791.5 million - for the year to January. It's reporting net after-tax profit of $60.6 million, dropping 38.9 percent on the year before. Managing director, Rod Duke, says the Government needs to put some new solutions forward to h...

An overhaul of the Government's procurement rule is a win for small Kiwi businesses. The Finance Minister is scrapping 24 requirements and adding a new economic benefit test. BusinessNZ's Katherine Baird says this is an important move for the future of New Zealand's business sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stock markets across the US have taken a significant hit over concerns about the negative economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. After the President refused to rule out a recession, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7 percent, the Nasdaq fell 4 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says US markets have a right to be worried...

Following a surge in the second half of 2024, the golden run for New Zealand farmgate beef pricing has continued in the early part of 2025.  Returns are also expected to stay strong throughout the rest of the year- as US demand for Kiwi beef is expected to stay elevated. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's taking one of the largest ministerial delegations to India.  Christopher Luxon is heading to New Delhi and Mumbai on Saturday with a contingent of ministers and business leaders.  Prioritising a deal with the fast-growing economic giant was a coalition condition with NZ First.  India Business Delegation Lead Dame Therese Walsh told Mike Hosking businesses have a...

New Zealand is hoping for an economic reprieve - but experts warn that's less likely to happen this year. Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency has generated plenty of economic concern, with many worried it could contribute to the ongoing downturn. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out a recession this year as his administration's tariffs spark economic concern. It comes after a volatile week for US financial markets as investors grappled with ongoing uncertainty as a result of the administration's trade policies.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...