Best of Business

The Reserve Bank is set to meet for the last time this year to review the Official Cash Rate. Economists predict a cut will come - but it's unclear if the Bank will cut as high as 75 percent. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks the odds. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac has been accused of hypocrisy over punishing Kiwi farmers for their emissions while investing in fossil fuels. Westpac is among the major banks that introduced emissions reduction targets for farmers - including reducing the emissions intensity of the dairy farms it finances in Australia and New Zealand. However, these targets translate into Westpac Australia allowing Australian dairy farm...

Experts are warning the Government's policies designed to reduce the deficit and bring down inflation are worsening the impact of the recession on households and businesses. Former Productivity Commission Chair Ganesh Nana has led group of 15 economists who've written to the Prime Minister claiming spending cuts are harming the economy. Nana explained that fiscal policy should not be targeting inf...

More and more surgical procedures around the world are being carried out by trained robots. The latest field to benefit from the use of robotic technology is orthopaedic surgery - an area with plenty of room for growth as the population ages. Milford Asset Management analyst Deborah Lambie explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior Reserve Bank official has taken aim at the big banks and accused them of stifling innovation and competition by underinvesting in technology. Addressing delegates at a Payments NZ conference on Tuesday, the banking regulator’s director of money and cash, Ian Woolford, claimed there was a role for better regulation to push banks to keep up with their peers overseas. But the banks have push...

There's concern for hundreds of Kiwi workers as one of New Zealand's biggest pulp and paper mills looks to halt production. Tokoroa's Kinleith Mill plans to halt paper processing by June 2025 - with 230 jobs on the line. E tū negotiations specialist Joe Gallagher says these jobs cuts will have a ripple effect that impacts the rest of Tokoroa. "Tokoroa was born out of the fact that a lot of pe...

Sir Keir Starmer is hopeful the UK's relationship with China will be strengthened off the back of his meeting with Xi Jinping.  The pair met at the G20 summit - the first time a UK Prime Minister has met with the Chinese President since 2018. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer's a pragmatist - and will be hoping to strengthen the business relationship between both nations. LISTEN ABOVE...

The pressure on New Zealand's labour market continues to tighten, with job ads falling for the third consecutive month. Despite these grim figures, one expert has noticed there's light at the end of the tunnel for the economy Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A competition lawyer says it'll be very unlikely Foodstuff's appeal will succeed. The Commerce Commission declined its merger of its North and South Island arms- saying it would lessen grocery competition and hurt suppliers.  Foodstuffs North Islands chief executive, Chris Quin, says the change would actually make it easier for suppliers.  Lawyer Neil Anderson says it's unlikely a case l...

Donald Trump's return to the White House continues to have implications on the US economy. The US Federal Reserve has indicated it won't be cutting rates again anytime soon. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investment markets have recovered significantly over the past two years following a weak 2022.  And, Donald Trump winning the U.S. election is bound to have impacts on New Zealand's markets and the U.S. dollar.  Director and Head of Multi Asset & Global Investment at Harbour Asset Management, Chris Di Leva joins.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monthly food prices fell 0.9 percent in October compared with September, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The largest contributor to the fall was vegetables, down 7.2 percent. But a rise in fruit prices, up 0.6 percent, partly offsets that. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this means for the state of the economy - and inflation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio...

US investors are still riding high one week after Donald Trump won the US presidency - but what can they expect long-term? Dow, and S&P, among others are experiencing rapid growth, but experts wonder how long this can last. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers at this morning's Fonterra AGM took the opportunity to probe the company around their reasons to sell off the company's consumer brands.  Fonterra is looking to sell key brands such as Anchor and Mainland - and the farmers have expressed disappointment with this choice. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's head is defending splashing out on a new safety video, as airfares rise. Kiwi NBA player Steven Adams features in the airline's first safety video in two years, alongside cameos by other notable Kiwis. Chief executive Greg Foran says this is a worthwhile investment. "It's an important part of the brand, it's a bit like the mangōpare on the tail or the uniforms - and we're doing a...

It's been a week since Donald Trump won the US election - and the markets underwent a shift once the results became clear.  Small to medium-sized businesses have picked up - and they're expecting to see a boost driven by proposed tax cuts and fewer regulations. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor unpacked the results further. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insurance has been a hot topic of late, as premiums are continuing to shoot up while general inflation abates. Findings of a Treasury survey show owners of apartments and other multi-unit buildings (MUB) are being hit extra hard. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny revealed how much insurance premiums had gone up - and how that impacted owners. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...

The Government has launched a new online tool designed to help businesses address their gender pay gaps. The online calculator is now live on Ministry for Women’s website, meaning businesses can calculate their gaps and take action. Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says it's unlikely this tool will drive companies away from hiring more women - despite recent concerns. "I think they're going to see...

Over in the UK, top restaurant and pub bosses have warned businesses will close and jobs will be cut following last month's Budget. The sector is facing higher taxes as part of required National Insurance contributions - and many have warned these increases are unsustainable. UK correspondent Gail Downey says the sector has already undergone a financial rough patch as it struggles to recover from...

The markets have reacted strongly to Donald Trump returning for his second term in the White House. The US dollar, stocks and bitcoin all surged after his win - but experts are wondering if this will continue. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners unpacked some likely outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A business delegation travelled with the trade minister to Shanghai last week, and they're heading home with a projection $340 million worth of deals for the next three years.  New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Chief Executive Pete Chrisp joins with more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election win on New Zealand markets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high after Donald Trump swept through the battleground states and won the presidency. Despite the race starting off too close to call, markets picked up after Trump was determined the winner of the election. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what happens next. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers have voiced their disapproval with Westpac over their emissions targets for New Zealand producers. The bank's new climate targets will require Kiwi farmers to get their climate targets down to 0.75 tons of carbon per ton of milk - while Australian farmers need to get emissions down to 0.85 tons of carbon. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVE...

Donald Trump is set to return to the White House - leaving economists everywhere to wonder what comes next. Trump won't take office until next January, but his proposed policies regarding business, trade and tariffs have people guessing. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains it could be an interesting four years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.