The Reserve Bank spent most of 2025 lowering the OCR, leaving experts to speculate how these changes impacted the economy.

Since then, economic and business confidence has gone up for the start of 2026, but inflation data for the December quarter has raised some concerns

Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Reserve Bank spent most of 2025 lowering the OCR, leaving experts to speculate how these changes impacted the economy.
Since then, economic and business confidence has gone up for the start of 2026, but inflation data for the December quarter has raised some concerns
Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

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.

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.

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.

Best of Business

Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on the possibility of more OCR changes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/06cd26ee-b2ac-4902-94f8-b3e00068ef29/transcript

As more stores across Auckland's CBD close their doors for good, Crane Brothers has reaffirmed their commitment to the area.

After extending their High Street lease for another 25 years, founder Murray Crane recently revealed the store would expand into the space vacated by Ruby.

Crane says Covid and the subsequent economic downturn have been tough on Auckland, but it's important to control the narrative.

"We had a fairly challenging time, as any business in the central city did, and the recovery has probably been a little bit slower than a lot of people would have liked, for a variety of different reasons."

LISTEN ABOVE

As more stores across Auckland's CBD close their doors for good, Crane Brothers has reaffirmed their commitment to the area.
After extending their&nbsp;High Street lease for another 25 years, founder Murray Crane recently revealed the store would expand into the space vacated by Ruby.
Crane says Covid and the subsequent economic downturn have been tough on Auckland, but it's important to control the narrative.
"We had a fairly challenging time, as any business in the central city did, and the recovery has probably been a little bit slower than a lot of people would have liked, for a variety of different reasons."
LISTEN ABOVE

Murray Crane: Crane Brothers founder on the store extending their High Street lease

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/35aaba6e-89b0-447a-b145-b3e3016fdbe1/transcript

National and Labour are joining forces in support of legislation to tackle modern slavery. 

Their bipartisan backing means the Bill can be introduced in Parliament, bypassing the ballot system. 

The proposed law would require large companies to report their measures to avoid slavery conditions in supply chains, and fine those not complying or acting to mislead. 

National's Greg Fleming told Mike Hosking they’ve taken learnings from overseas, particularly Australia, and will be going with template forms and the like to ensure this does add value, rather than just cost.  

He says a lot of responsible businesses are already looking into the working conditions in their supply lines, so this is just aimed at the recalcitrants. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

National and Labour are joining forces in support of legislation to tackle modern slavery.&nbsp;
Their bipartisan backing means the Bill can be introduced in Parliament, bypassing the ballot system.&nbsp;
The proposed law would require large companies to report their measures to avoid slavery conditions in supply chains, and fine those not complying or acting to mislead.&nbsp;
National's Greg Fleming told Mike Hosking they’ve taken learnings from overseas, particularly Australia, and will be going with template forms and the like to ensure this does add value, rather than just cost. &nbsp;
He says a lot of responsible businesses are already looking into the working conditions in their supply lines, so this is just aimed at the recalcitrants.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Greg Fleming: National MP on the cross party support for the Modern Slavery Bill

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c8f89a32-80a5-4473-936b-b3e1013f43e5/transcript

Meta and Microsoft are among the big tech companies that just released their quarterly results after the stock market closed, and there's more results to come.

Meta shares were up 9 percent, but Microsoft stock was down about 5 percent.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds unpacked the data further.

LISTEN ABOVE

Meta and Microsoft are among the big tech companies that just released their quarterly results after the stock market closed, and there's more results to come.
Meta shares were up 9 percent, but Microsoft stock was down about 5 percent.
Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds unpacked the data further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Meta and Microsoft reporting their results

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1d8d8899-c7b7-4143-81a2-b3e100732eb9/transcript

Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on the possibility of more OCR changes

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