Podcast
Best of Business
Hosted by Newstalk ZB · EN
Best of Business is the home of all things business at Newstalk ZB, from morning market updates right through to incisive interviews with New Zealand’s top business leaders and decision makers.
Whether you’re a small business owner or interested in what’s going on in the Big End of Town, this podcast encompasses the sharpest voices and minds in the world of business.
Whether you’re a small business owner or interested in what’s going on in the Big End of Town, this podcast encompasses the sharpest voices and minds in the world of business.
76episodes
Episodes
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Kim Mundy: ASB Acting Chief Economist on the construction and manufacturing sectors showing signs of recovery in latest survey
Yesterday00:03:14Tap to summarizeManufacturing and construction are showing signs of recovery. ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey finds confidence rose 19 points over the last month, to 56%. In terms of past activity, manufacturing was highest, while agriculture saw a marked fall and construction lifted. ASB acting chief economist Kim Mundy told Andrew Dickens the construction sector has been struggling for some time, so this is welcome news. She says it's good to see the rise in residential consents transfer into activity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on business leaders' call to back the South Island as a driver of New Zealand's growth
Yesterday00:03:06Tap to summarizeSouth Island business leaders want to be recognised as the engine room of New Zealand's economy. The eight chambers of commerce have launched a joint manifesto, representing around seven thousand businesses. It calls for policies to lift productivity, with a goal of increasing South Island GDP per capita to at least $130 thousand by 2035. Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it shows there's great alignment across the South Island. She says if New Zealand wants stronger productivity, higher incomes, and greater resilience, backing the South Island is the smartest investment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on whether we should be worried about the AI bubble
2d ago00:05:26Tap to summarizeIt's been a big week for the tech sector, with Meta and Microsoft moving to post their earnings. But it's sparked concerns about the future of AI, and whether or not another sector bubble is set to burst. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jamie Sinclair: Watercare CEO on the utility unveiling $15.2 billion infrastructure investment programme
2d ago00:06:09Tap to summarizeAuckland's Watercare is taking a mixed approach to funding a $15.2 billion capital investment. This includes $4.3 billion for renewals, upgrades to prevent wastewater spills, and lifting the daily flow of drinking water from Waikato River to $300 million by 2033. Watercare CEO Jamie Sinclair says separating from Auckland Council means the utility will need to explore new funding streams to get this through. "We've got to go find our own debt funding, which we've been pretty successful at, I'd have to say, over the last year or so." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Bridget Snelling: Xero Country Manager on small business sales growing 8.6% year on year, led by agriculture
2d ago00:03:02Tap to summarizeFarming is powering strong small business sales growth. A Xero Small Business Insights report reveals an 8.6% year on year increase in sales in the June quarter. Agriculture saw a 16.3% increase, construction climbed 11%, and manufacturing rose 8.6% during the same time period. Country Manager Bridget Snelling told Mike Hosking it is a bit of a two-speed recovery, with retail only growing by 6.4%. She says there’s some ongoing uncertainty around fuel costs and geopolitical events which will continue to influence small businesses when it comes to hiring and investment decisions. Plus, Snelling told Hosking, consumers are still going to be a bit circumspect with their discretionary spend heading towards the election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on ACC chief executive Megan Main defending her record
3d ago00:05:08Tap to summarizeACC’s outgoing chief executive Megan Main has defended her record at the helm of the troubled Government insurer and insisted that a new progress report shows the agency is effecting a turnaround. Main’s last day at the helm is Friday, and her five-year contract runs to November. NZ Herald Wellington business editor explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert ahead of the next US Federal Reserve meeting
3d ago00:03:01Tap to summarizeThe US Federal Reserve is set to meet soon, and it's unclear what investors and experts can expect this time round. It's looking likely that rates will stay on hold, but the ongoing Middle East conflict has made the market cast doubts. Milford Asset Management's Brendan Larsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Fred de Jong: former All White on the proposed $20 billion FIFA World Cup commercial rights sale plan
3d ago00:04:10Tap to summarizeFIFA has announced plans to sell the commercial rights to its tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. This proposal has been dubbed controversial and sparked backlash from Uefa and some leading European clubs. Former All White Fred de Jong says this isn't a good idea, and there's some 'worrying' aspects that could come from this. "You give it to a third party who would have a non-controlling stake in that separate company - but still, they would have a lot of influence, and they would have shareholders who want to maximise the profits. What are they going to want to see?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Winston Peters looking to restore Reserve Bank's dual mandate
3d ago00:04:14Tap to summarizeConversations about reintroducing maximum sustainable employment to the Reserve Bank's monetary policy mandate and inflation targeting could be back on the table, following recent comments from Winston Peters. Peters had to let this issue go during the last round of coalition negotiations, but speculation indicates he's like to bring the issue up again the next time round. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says there would be very little, if any, differences to the current state of the OCR if these changes were implemented. "The Reserve Bank is not dumb, they're not looking at the economy and going - well, if only we completely ignore the labour market. You can't ignore people in the economy and their jobs, so realistically - no , we wouldn't expect any real change." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Perspective with Ryan Bridge: Why are the oil and gas companies scared to invest in us?
3d ago00:02:13Tap to summarizeThere are two ways to look at this oil and gas announcement today. Aussie outfit EnZed Energy's been given the nod to go have a sniff around off the coast of Taranaki. That's important because they're the first company to be given that right since the Ardern ban. But there's already talk online about the fact this was the only application. There was nobody else applying for this permit, and it's just to have a poke around. Now, you would say this proves the point that there's not much interest and, therefore, why bother anyway? But what it actually tells you is people are still bloody scared of the ban coming back. With good reason. Labour and the Greens say they'll bring it back. I asked someone in the sector about this, and they said, "When that bulls*** goes away, we'll get more interest." There's apparently another handful of permits been applied for. But this Aussie start-up is the first, and they're basically the guinea pig. The test run. It's a small step on a long road to re-building an industry that's basically in pieces on the chopping room floor. The fact is, Labour doesn't need to be sitting in the Treasury benches to have power over industry. They're what corporates call a "regulatory risk". They don't like those. My question to Hipkins and co. is pretty simple - NSW has just gone out to market on two tenders for offshore gas exploration. Why should they get the jobs and not us? Why should they get the royalties and not us? Why should they get the company tax and not us? What is the point in being cool on the climate when even our next-door neighbours are doing the exact opposite? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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