New Zealand business confidence fell 2 points in August to 54 from 56 last month - and it's sparked discussion about what this could mean for the OCR.

There's speculation the cash rate could be set for an increase this Wednesday.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly outlined his prediction further ahead of the next update.

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New Zealand business confidence fell 2 points in August to 54 from 56 last month - and it's sparked discussion about what this could mean for the OCR.
There's speculation the cash rate could be set for an increase this Wednesday.
Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly outlined his prediction further ahead of the next update.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what a drop in business confidence could mean for the OCR

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/091b26b5-482f-4ffb-9ea1-b4b700849e9d/transcript

Prisoners who were freed under the Government's last early release scheme are returning to jail at a rapid rate, according to new reports.

Many of these inmates were let out as part of the 2024 early release scheme to ease overcrowding - with one prison governor describing it as a 'revolving door'. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed interest in making changes, and no has Reform's Nigel Farage.   

LISTEN ABOVE

Prisoners who were freed under the Government's last early release scheme are returning to jail at a rapid rate, according to new reports.
Many of these inmates were let out as part of the 2024 early release scheme to ease overcrowding - with one prison governor describing it as a 'revolving door'.&nbsp;
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed interest in making changes, and no has Reform's Nigel Farage.&nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on UK prisoners reoffending after early prison release

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2d96ecb8-0787-42aa-83c2-b4b700868c50/transcript

Jewellery chain Michael Hill is reporting a 376 percent increase in annual statutory net profit from its global business.

New Zealand retail revenue is up 3.1 percent.

CEO Jonathan Waecker says it's a great result that profit has gone up in all three markets, including New Zealand.

"Our offer in New Zealand is resonating really, really strongly, and in Australia, we are seeing some softness with certain consumers - so we're just needing to go to market a little bit differently." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Jewellery chain Michael Hill is reporting a 376 percent increase in annual statutory net profit from its global business.
New Zealand retail revenue is up 3.1 percent.
CEO Jonathan Waecker says it's a great result that profit has gone up in all three markets, including New Zealand.
"Our offer in New Zealand is resonating really, really strongly, and in Australia, we are seeing some softness with certain consumers - so we're just needing to go to market a little bit differently."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Jonathan Waecker: Michael Hill CEO on the company's profit jumping 376 percent to A$10m

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf0e6308-c697-4ddd-9708-b4b7007fa073/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 31 August, 2026, why the group representing truckies is angry at the Government cancelling next year's increase in the fuel excise tax.

Louise Nicholas on why she supports a proposal to replace juries with expert panels for rape trials.

We ask a pilot if the low-flying planes ahead of the All Blacks test in South Africa really is a safety issue.

And Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani on The Huddle. One of them gives ACT leader David Seymour a telling off.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 31 August, 2026, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/james-smith-road-carriers-association-advocacy-head-on-the-government-delaying-fuel-excise-hike/">why the group representing truckies is angry at the Government cancelling next year's increase in the fuel excise tax.</a>
Louise Nicholas on why she supports a <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/louise-nicholas-sexual-violence-advocate-on-judges-potentially-replacing-juries-on-sexual-violence-trials/">proposal to replace juries with expert panels for rape trials.</a>
We ask a pilot if <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/doug-moss-former-airline-pilot-and-safety-consultant-on-the-jets-that-flew-too-low-over-the-all-blacks-v-springboks-game/">the low-flying planes ahead of the All Blacks test in South Africa really is a safety issue.</a>
And Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani on The Huddle. <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-is-david-seymour-right-about-the-paris-agreement/">One of them gives ACT leader David Seymour a telling off.</a>
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 31 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7e74891a-1d54-4649-9b1f-b4b70078925d/transcript

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what a drop in business confidence could mean for the OCR

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