Best of Business

Canada's new Prime Minister is expected to tout his economic expertise as he enters the job.  Mark Carney has served as Governor of Canada's and England's central banks.  He'll lead the Liberal Party into this year's general election.  Canadian correspondent Rachel Aiello says it's important for Carney to sell himself as a numbers man.  "At this current moment, with the ongoing...

How is China feeling amid the trade war coming out of the United States?  Tariffs have been on and off under Trump's direction, but when it comes to China they have been consistent.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Ryan Bridge about what's been happening in China in the aftermath.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meal deals have been a staple across UK retailers - and some outlets are offering consumers a new lunchtime option. Companies like Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco are offering up salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and more - and non-alcoholic beer has entered the mix.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says this has been met with mixed reactions, with many labelling this move 'desperate'. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

Equity markets across the world have taken a dive - and one expert has explained the sudden drop. Donald Trump's tariff threat and collective concerns about the administration's new Department of Government Efficiency have sparked aversion among experts. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s red meat sector is on track for a strong rebound, with export returns and overall profitability expected to rise. According to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s mid-season update, strong global demand is expected to boost results for the sector.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good news for Kiwi motorists - they can look forward to lower fuel prices in the next few days. The price of oil is at its lowest level in more than three years as fears about lower global growth combine with Opec plans to boost production. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland-based Canadian billionaire previously linked to an alternative news venture has taken a substantial holding in media company NZME. NZME owns the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk and Newstalk ZB. E tū negotiator Michael Wood says many are concerned about a potential change in editorial direction. "The concern here is that we clearly have an individual that is highly motivated to take control of...

Air New Zealand is in for a change - with CEO Greg Foran resigning from October. He's told the board the airline is in a good place and this is the right time to step down. He took on the role in February 2020. Aviation commentator Irene King says the airline should take this opportunity to restore confidence at home. "Air New Zealand has really got to focus on its core New Zealand market - and I...

There's renewed calls for an outright ban on card payment surcharges.  Consumer NZ says the Commerce Commission's considering lowering interchange fees, but there's no guarantee it'll reduce what consumers pay. It says a proper ban would be more consistent and fairer for buyers and merchants. Research Acting Head Jessica Walker says there's been adjustments to interchange fees in the past - a...

It's a big week for the New Zealand stock market, and one expert is taking a look at the highest performers. As results reporting continues, some companies are bringing in more for investors than others. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major question marks over the shock-resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr. Orr's laid out areas of his work he's proud of, but gave no reason for quitting almost half-way through his second, five-year term. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked the reactions to this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has delivered a grim outlook for share markets around the world.  Stocks have tumbled after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says markets surged after the election with thoughts that Trump might promote growth.  He says there might not be a quick fix for the issue.  "I suspect it's goi...

Auckland has expressed interest towards Emirates Team New Zealand around returning the next America's Cup defence to the City of Sails. Tataki Auckland Unlimited have confirmed they are in talks around potentially hosting the 38th edition, likely to be held in 2027. Sailing professor Mark Orams says the interest is there, but it requires investment from multiple key partners.  "What is the re...

The Trade Minister says he's taking potential disruption to trade very seriously.   US President Donald Trump has sent stocks tumbling across the world after lumping tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, who are promising retaliation. Todd McClay says it'll directly affect New Zealand companies in those countries - such as Fisher and Paykel in Mexico. He says it could move us even closer to Ch...

Today's surprise resignation by Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has left experts with plenty of questions. Neither the Prime Minister nor Finance Minister are giving any details of why the most powerful, non-elected person in Government has abruptly quit.  Not only have Nicola Willis and Chris Luxon gone to ground - the Reserve Bank will not answer media questions about the departure. ...

Donald Trump says tariffs will make the US rich again.  The President's been delivering his first Congress address since commencing his second term.  He's talked up the 119 sweeping changes he's already pushed through - drastically reshaping domestic and foreign policy.  He says the US has been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on earth - and he won't let that happen an...

Industry experts have voiced their surprise after the Reserve Bank Governor abruptly resigned today.   Adrian Orr was almost halfway through his second five-year term. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen joined the Afternoons team to speculate about what could have caused this. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are outlining their predictions as Australia prepares to release a GDP update tomorrow. The Australian economy is predicted to have grown faster over the December quarter, but the effect of inflation still linger. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has indicated tariffs on imported agricultural products could take effect as soon as April. This announcement has generated concern among Kiwi farmers, who export billions of dollars worth of meat and dairy to the US every year. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks what this could mean for the nation's primary sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The coalition Government wants more homes to be built cheaper and faster, yet official data shows an annual 7.2 percent drop in the sector. New data from Stats NZ shows that in the year ended January 2025, there were 33,812 new homes consented, down 7.2 percent compared with the year ended January 2024. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li...

As Hyundai is back on the table for a potential Cook Strait ferry deal, Winston Peters is reiterating his view that the previous deal wasn't a good one.  The Government set aside $300 million to resolve all exit costs for the deal. Peters says the idea that breaking the previous deal with Hyundai alone will cost $300 million is 'just wrong'.  "We cannot afford this blowout in costs for b...

In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury’s Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what’s happening on the business front.  They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, there's plenty of speculation as to what will happen with Trump's proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico.  The proposed tariffs aren't set to kick in until April, but there's theories Trump may alter the tariffs - and put a higher one on China. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia and Apple are finalising an agreement to lift an iPhone 16 ban. The ban came after Apple failed to source 40 percent of their products content locally in Indonesia, a regulation required by the country's government.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis explains the multimillion dollar agreement, Taiwan catching a Chinese owned ship cutting a subsea cable, and Trump taking aim at...

There's relief among farmers as the Government recognises drought conditions in Taranaki. Federated Farmers says the region's had a year-and-a-half of unusually low rainfall, particularly in Manaia, Hāwera and Kakaramea. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says it's forced some farmers to feed-out livestock or sell earlier. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...