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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the IMF warning the Government will need to hike taxes and cut spending
2d ago00:04:36Tap to summarizeThe International Monetary Fund is broadly happy with how the Government and Reserve Bank are steering the economy - but it's warned some changes need to take place. The agency says the Government will need to hike taxes, as well as continue cutting spending, to get the country’s finances on a more sustainable path forward. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained how this could be implemented. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the state of the markets at the mid-point of 2026
2d ago00:04:20Tap to summarize2026 is halfway over, and experts have noticed which trends are leading investor conversations. The chips and computer hardware sector has seen some growth thanks to the AI boom, but the Middle East conflict has continued to generate concerns. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Here's why I'm so stoked about the NZ Michelin launch
2d ago00:02:12Tap to summarizeI totally run the risk of being way too much of a fangirl about the Michelin stars handed out, but I am so excited about this. Mainly, I'm excited for the people who run those restaurants because I realise what this means for them. It means full bookings. It means international recognition. It means the ability to walk into a kitchen anywhere in the world and say, "I worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant," and have people know exactly what that means - and know that you're good. I am also stoked for the people who love eating out. All of a sudden, there's a list to tick off, isn't there? How is it, for example, that I've eaten at Arataki Restaurant in Queenstown but never at Paris Butter in Auckland, even though it's just down the road from me? I now intend to rectify that quickly. But there's also a part of me that is really pleased because this has righted a wrong - the local punishment that has been going on for Amisfield. I don't dispute that the alleged behaviour of the former head chef wasn't good and I don't dispute that the owners of the restaurant should not have allegedly turned a blind eye to it for so long. But I did not like the fact that the establishment continued to be punished even after Vaughan Mabee, who was at the centre of the controversy, had left the building. Especially by Cuisine magazine, which then refused to recommend Amisfield as a restaurant. Amisfield was the best restaurant in the country until, all of a sudden, it was no longer the best restaurant in the country according to Cuisine because one man had left. Michelin has now righted that wrong by giving it a star. That decision was controversial. I've already read one take on it that wasn't entirely complimentary. But I don't care. Because what I want to know is this: is Amisfield a good place to eat? Now that the legendary - and problematic -chef has gone, is it still good? Apparently, the answer is yes. But we had to get foreigners to tell us that because we all went a bit weird and a bit cancel-culture on the place. For the record, I ate at Amisfield when the chef at the centre of the controversy was still there. It was one of the best meals I've ever had and I'm pleased it remains excellent - at least according to Michelin. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Andrew Little: Wellington mayor on the new team chosen to help boost the capital
2d ago00:04:35Tap to summarizeWellington council has unveiled their new team aiming to help the capital get its mojo back. The council has brought together a lineup of business, property, technology and creative sector leaders to help shape a five-year plan to grow the city's economy. Mayor Andrew Little says Wellington's seen limited economic growth over the last few years, and the council's hoping to turn that around. "We've got our work cut out for us. We do have some strength - beyond being a public service city, we do have some other strengths, and it's about drawing on those things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Henry Onesemo: Tala restaurant founder on the business being awarded a Michelin star
2d ago00:03:47Tap to summarizeThere's been a surge in bookings for the world's first Michelin star Samoan restaurant. Auckland's Tala was awarded a single star at last night's New Zealand Michelin Guide awards, alongside 14 other star-winners. It was first time the event was held on our shores - after a $6.3 million dollar Government investment. Restaurant founder and chef Henry Onesemo says he's already noticed some additional interest. "There's like 300 emails that we have to go through today, and it just seems non-stop at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Kiwi restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide
2d ago00:06:02Tap to summarizeWorld-class honours have been dished out to select New Zealand restaurants, with hopes they'll lead to a much-needed boost for the industry. Queenstown's Essence has been crowned our only two star Michelin restaurant - alongside 14 others awarded a single star, like Auckland's Tala and Christchurch's Inati. Ninety-five other venues received the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected accolades. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained how this development will boost tourism. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jeremy Kirksmith: Planet Fun CEO on the changing safety standards for children's toys
2d ago00:04:23Tap to summarizeNew Zealand is aligning its toy safety standards with Australia. The Ministry for Regulation says the change will save a net $6.8 million dollars over the next decade, by reducing the need to retest products already compliant with US and EU standards. Planet Fun CEO Jeremy Kirksmith has welcomed this decision and says it's about time these change were made. "We import about 1500 different toys a year - different skews, as we call it, and we have to have separate testing for every single skew, because so many of our standards are so different to everywhere else on the planet." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Peter Griffin: BusinessDesk tech columnist on Rocket Lab buying Iridium for $14 billion to challenge Starlink
3d ago00:04:01Tap to summarizeRocket Lab is buying satellite network operator Iridium for $14 billion, causing the company's shares to jump 18 percent, according to new reports. This would put Rocket Lab in a position to go head-to-head with Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. BusinessDesk tech columnist Peter Griffin says this is an 'ambitious' move from CEO Peter Beck. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Hamish McKay: The Country spokesperson on red meat exports setting new highs
3d ago00:03:01Tap to summarizeNew Zealand red meat exports reached a second consecutive monthly record in May, rising to $1.6 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association. The May result was 44 percent higher than the same month last year and exceeded the previous monthly record of $1.4 billion set in April. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →John Weekes: NZ Herald aviation journalist on Air New Zealand's bid to focus on the 'premium flyer'
3d ago00:05:39Tap to summarizeAir New Zealand has outlined some future goals and areas of focus as part of their big investor presentation. The airline says it will focus more on profitable routes and premium customers - as well as improve reliability and punctuality. NZ Herald aviation journalist John Weekes says it's clear Air New Zealand wants to focus on this 'loyal' subsection of their base. "Keep them loyal, keep them flying, just get them in the habit of flying with this airline." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →