Best of 2024: Greens caught asking to use private carparks after their cycleway impacted parking

Several Greens members have been caught asking to use the private carparks belonging to Wellington retailers for a party event. These retailers were impacted by Green-led cycleway project, which took away on-street parking in the area. Independent Business and Residential Group chairwoman Urmila …

Best of 2024: Transport planner details the feasibility of new Cook Strait links

One transport planner is looking into the feasibility of a fixed link between New Zealand's two islands. KiwiRail are officially cancelling an overseas contract for building more mega-ferries, after the Government declined to foot the bill. Nicolas Reid, the Principal Public Transport Planner for…

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the US Federal Reserve adopting a hawkish outlook for 2025

Over in the US, share prices have slumped after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slower than expected pace for rate cuts in the new year. The Federal Reserve set its key lending rate in a target range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent - down a full percentage point since September. Fisher Funds ex…

Jamie Mackay: The Country host hints towards his ag person of the year for 2024

The Country's Jamie Mackay has been catching up with politicians and farming experts to discuss their picks for Ag Person of the Year. There's been a diverse range of favourites - but who is Jamie's? He revealed his favourites for 2024, ahead of his final show for the year. LISTEN ABOVE

Liam Dann: NZ Herald business editor at large on GDP dropping 1 percent in the September quarter

This was a dire week for the economy - but experts say things can only go up from here. Stats NZ revealed that GDP was down 1 percent in the September quarter, and had been down 1.1 percent the previous quarter. This is the biggest drop since 1991, excluding the Covid-19 lockdowns. Despite the g…

Ruth Riviere: Mastercard New Zealand Country Manager responds to Commerce Commission moving to cap credit card fees

Mastercard is pushing back against the Commerce Commission's plan to put a cap on credit card fees. The Commission says regulation for credit and contactless payments could deliver $280 million in savings a year for merchants and consumers.  But Mastercard New Zealand says the draft decision is d…

Steven Joyce: former Finance Minister on New Zealand's GDP crashing harder than expected during September quarter

People will have questions, after one of the country's worst quarterly GDP dips in decades. Stats NZ figures show New Zealand's gross domestic product crashed down one percent in the September quarter. It's put the country in the deepest recession since the Covid-driven slump in 2020.  Former Fi…

Stephanie Batchelor: Milford Asset Management analyst explains 'Santa Rallies'

We're less than a week out from Christmas - and some key stocks could be well-placed for a Christmas charge-up. The 'Santa Rally' phenomenon refers to a strong share market over the last 5 trading sessions in December, and the first 2 trading sessions in the new year. Milford Asset Management's S…

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor warns debt uptick will come with additional costs

The surprisingly large uptick in the amount of debt the Treasury is expected to issue in coming years will come at a cost, S&P Global Ratings warns. On Tuesday, Treasury increased its forecast bond issuance programme by a whopping 16 percent. It now believes it’ll have to issue $146 billion of Ne…

Chris Bishop: Infrastructure Minister on the Fast Track Approvals Bill passing final reading

There's expectations fast-tracked projects will kick in next year.  The controversial Fast Track Approvals Bill passed its final reading in the House last night - despite heated protest in the public gallery and from Opposition MPs.  It's being characterised as a one-stop shop, facilitating conse…