Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the RBA increasing the OCR for the second month in a row

Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank bumped the OCR up to 4.1 percent, up by 0.25 percentage points. This is the second significant hike it two months, and it's got experts speculating about what this means for the economy on the whole. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham wondered what this could me…

Shane Jones: Resources Minister explains why Crown funds should be directed towards geothermal sector

The Resources Minister is insistent Crown funds should help heat the geothermal sector. A Government strategy has been released on its plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal ene…

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on data showing food prices rose 4.5 percent in the year to February

There's fears there'll be no slowdown any time soon to the rapid rise in food prices. Stats NZ figures show they rose 4.5 percent in the year to February. Steak, mince and chocolate all shot up more than 20 percent. Infometrics head, Brad Olsen, says the spike in oil prices because of the war in…

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the RBA hiking the OCR up again amid inflation concerns

The Australian Reserve Bank has increased interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, up to 4.1 percent. This is the second month the RBA has lifted rates, with the bank hiking up to 3.85 percent in February. Australian correspondet Murray Olds says the vote to increase rates was divided, but there…

Sam MacKinnon: Hospitality NZ Head of Communications and Advocacy on the Government's changes to alcohol laws

There's praise for Government's aims to smooth the process for venues to serve alcohol during major televised events like the Rugby World Cup. The bill proposes a raft of changes, includes a permanent mechanism to let pubs operate outside licensed hours during major events. Sam MacKinnon from Hos…

Kerre Woodham: New Zealand's conflict of interest problem

What I found more outrageous on the internet yesterday was yet another example of this country's propensity for doling out jobs for the boys and indeed the girls. Every political party does it, every government does it, rewards the party faithful and their generous donors and backers with cushy sin…

Mark Troughear: Freightways CEO on the impacts of the Middle East crisis and fuel prices

The Government is considering its options if petrol prices keep rising, but the head of Freightways is warning people not to panic. The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week, but the Finance Minister has ruled out measures like reducing the fuel excise. Freightways CEO Mark Troug…

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the third week of the Iran conflict

The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week and there's concerns about what it could do to the markets. Iran's still restricting movement through the shipping strategic choke-point as part of its retaliation for the relentless bombing by the US and Israel. Harbour Asset Management …

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on retail spending trending upward before Iran conflict

There's hopes the war in Iran doesn't reverse gains in our retail sector by making shipping more expensive.  Stats NZ data shows back-to-back increases in electronic card spending for January and February.  Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young says it's not happened in a long time.  She says …

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Nicola Willis urging Kiwis not to panic over fuel shortages

The Government's yet to make a call on whether New Zealand would ease sanctions on Russian oil, as the Iran war affects shipments. The US has eased some of its sanctions, as its barrage on Iran continues - alongside Israel. Crude oil prices have skyrocketed since Iran stopped ships traversing the…