Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on Australian business confidence dropping to Covid-era low

The ongoing Middle East conflict has seen Australia business confidence hit lows not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic. The US has today moved to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, and the supply shock is likely to hit households hard, according to experts. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained …

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Richard Allen being named Fonterra's new CEO

Fonterra has named Richard Allen as its new chief executive, succeeding Miles Hurrell. Allen - who joined Fonterra as a graduate in 2008 and has worked in various roles across the dairy co-operative - will take over next month. Hurrell will remain in a transition advisory role until September. T…

Tracey Green: Destination Marlborough general manager on the ferry disruptions gaining international concern

New Zealand's growing a reputation among the global tourism industry for its difficult inter-island travel.  Industry workers who attended the world's leading travel trade show in Berlin have made claims that ferry disruptions are leaving tourists and travel companies wary about the possibility of…

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac chief economist on the bank forecasting an OCR increase for September

Another bank is predicting an upcoming OCR raise.  ANZ has already picked three consecutive Official Cash Rate hikes in July, September, and October. Now Westpac says it's becoming more of a possibility next month - but is more likely in September.  Chief economist Kelly Eckhold says the Reserve…

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Qantas scaling back flights amid Middle East conflict

The Iran war is prompting Qantas to scale back flights within Australia, but it's flying more to Paris and Rome. The airline's scaling back domestic Qantas and Jetstar flights about 5 percent. Qantas says fuel prices have more than doubled since late February, and remain highly volatile. Austral…

Alan Morrison and Adam King: Viva la Dirt League founders and owners on the success of their online media business

While many may not have heard of ‘Viva la Dirt League’, their kids probably have.  Self-described as a ‘bunch of nerds who play games and make comedy sketches about games,’ they’re a YouTube sketch comedy group and independent production company based in New Zealand.   But what was once a channel…

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on oil prices going up following Trump's blockade threat

Global oil prices have shot up again, with Donald Trump gunning for authority over the Strait of Hormuz. The President's announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, after peace talks collapsed in Pakistan yesterday.  Despite the ceasefire, he's looking at resuming strikes.   Harbour Asset Manag…

Andrew Little: Wellington mayor on Wellington's new water entity receiving double the board's original pay

Concerns have been raised over the new Wellington water entity, as its board members will be paid twice as much as their Wellington Water counterparts. The group's new chair will be paid $110,000 - a higher figure than the $60,000 Wellington Water's previous chair was paid. The entity's CEO will …

Chris Bishop: Associate Finance Minister on the prospect of the OCR going up

There's growing concern about the impact of the Middle East conflict, and at least one major bank has forecasted increases to the OCR. ANZ has revised its outlook, with forecasted increases to the OCR bringing rates up to 3 percent by October. Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says skyrocke…

Alexander Cornwell: Reuters Middle East correspondent on Donald Trump threatening a navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

A warning Iran has more ways to inflict economic pain if war resumes with the US, other than in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump's threatening a navy blockade of the shipping lane from 2am NZT after talks in Pakistan have brought no deal. Iran says military vessels approaching the Strait will b…