Don Braid: Mainfreight CEO on the company's full-year net profit taking a hit

Global transport company Mainfreight's full-year net profit is down 8.5 percent on the year earlier, despite an improved performance in the second half of the year end in March. Despite this, the company's hopeful that things can turn around, despite the conflict in the Middle East. Mainfreight C…

Robyn Walker: Deloitte tax partner on the tax changes included in Budget 2026

A tax expert says it's good to draw a line under recent changes to charity rules. This year's Budget tweaks the Research and Development Tax Incentive, simplifies the fringe benefit tax, and expands the Foreign Investment Fund rules to all taxpayers.  It also caps the tax credits that can be rece…

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: I would argue Budget 2026 wasn't tight enough

Well, you would have done well to heed Nicola Willis’s warnings ahead of this Budget that there would be no spend-up, because there is no spend-up. There is no money for - well, there is money for the important stuff. You’ve got the schools and the classrooms, and the hospitals, and the Waikato Ex…

Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on his expectations for Budget 2026

Very few frills or surprises are expected to be in today’s Budget.   Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges predicts a “sensible, prudent, boring, Presbyterian” Budget, with only a few goodies coming from reprioritised spending.  He told Ryan Bridge he was more interested in the "nuggets" th…

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on energy bills going up as a result of the Iran war

Over in the UK, household  energy prices will rise by 13 percent a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the impact of the Iran war hit bills for the first time. Energy costs have jumped as a result of Iran blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route - where a fifth of the wo…

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor speculates ahead of Budget 2026

Accountants are hopeful the Government will use the Budget to do something about the secret little wealth tax those with offshore investments are currently paying. As it stands, most people with more than $50,000 directly invested in assets offshore, including shares in companies listed on stock e…

Remy Wisenberg: Milford Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the OCR staying in place

The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the OCR on hold at 2.25 percent today. Most markets had priced in a hold, but the views on what will happen next are split, especially considering concerns around inflation.  Milford Asset Management's Remy Wisenberg explained further. LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: When will the screws on the economy start turning?

Well, that Official Cash Rate decision is probably one of those moments where you find out whether you're a glass half-full or glass half-empty person. Because on the bright side, the Official Cash Rate didn’t go up. On the downside, it looks like it’s definitely going up next time. So yes, it’s a…

Vaughn Davis: Creative Director at The Goat Farm on Auckland Council looking for a new sponsor for the Harbour Bridge

Auckland Council has released a new document, seeking potential interest from 'an exclusive funding and naming rights partner for a landmark activation initiative that will transform the Auckland Harbour Bridge into a dynamic storytelling canvas through light.' The project - expected to be a multi…

Chris Polaczuk: Construction Health and Safety NZ manager on whether tradies need to warm up before work

Tradies are being encouraged to warm up before work in order to reduce the impact of injuries. The construction industry is a high source of of work-related ACC claims, and some managers are educating their teams on the benefits of warming up. Chris Polaczuk from Construction Health and Safety NZ…