Welcome to Today in Business - Powered by Spark for Business, an experimental AI podcast by the New Zealand Herald.

Each weekday, we bring you five stories, the best of the New Zealand Herald business journalism, summarised and delivered by an AI voice as an easily digestible recap.

It's Friday, November 14, 2025, and here are five stories you should know about.

Complaints against real estate agents rose 35 percent in the year to June 30, according to the Real Estate Authority's annual report. The Crown agency says challenging market conditions contributed to the increase in formal complaints about licensed agents. Chief executive Belinda Moffat noted growing consumer dissatisfaction with agency performance. The most common complaint themes were customer service, skill and care, disclosure, misleading advertising, and poor communication.

In markets, global stocks fell sharply even after US President Donald Trump signed a spending Bill ending the 43-day Government shutdown. Investors had hoped reopening federal services would lift sentiment, but major exchanges in Europe and the United States declined. A market analyst from financial services network StoneX says while technology shares look "increasingly overvalued and overstretched," it is "far too early to call a top in this cycle" as investors remain enthusiastic about artificial intelligence. Oil prices partially rebounded after recent losses.

In other news, part of the Hilton Auckland's exterior has been reclad, and developer David Henderson's former apartment converted into additional hotel rooms. Brosnan, the building contractor, says the project was challenging because the five-star waterfront hotel continued operating during construction. A custom scaffolding system attached to each level was used to minimize disruption. Brosnan says it maintained safe conditions for guests and nearby businesses on Princes Wharf. Property owner M&L Group says the recladding is part of its ongoing reinvestment in the 165-room hotel, including the conversion of the former level-eight apartment.

Meanwhile, broadcaster Jenny-May Clarkson will leave TVNZ's Breakfast programme next Friday after six years on air. TVNZ says Clarkson and the company agreed she would finish on November twenty-first following a "long and valued contribution." Co-host Chris Chang paid tribute, calling her an "amazing partner in crime." Clarkson told viewers it had been "an absolute honour and a privilege." TVNZ says Breakfast will be refreshed, with a search for a new host underway. Clarkson's exit follows other recent leadership and programming changes at the state-owned broadcaster.

And Auckland developer COD Crown Projects has been fined forty-eight thousand dollars for illegal earthworks in Browns Bay and Northcross. The company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Resource Management Act. Judge Melinda Dickey found the breaches caused significant sediment discharge and environmental harm. She says the developer "turned a blind eye" to what was happening on its land. Auckland Council's investigations leader Paul Cowling says the penalty shows courts treat such breaches seriously. Council rules require strict erosion and sediment controls before, during, and after earthworks to protect the environment and surrounding properties.

That was Today in Business - Powered by Spark for Business - your NZ Herald daily business summary. For the best in business, subscribe to Herald Premium at nzherald.co.nz.

Welcome to Today in Business - Powered by Spark for Business, an experimental AI podcast by the New Zealand Herald. 
Each weekday, we bring you five stories, the best of the New Zealand Herald business journalism, summarised and delivered by an AI voice as an easily digestible recap. 
It's Friday, November 14, 2025, and here are five stories you should know about. 
Complaints against real estate agents rose 35 percent in the year to June 30, according to the Real Estate Authority's annual report. The Crown agency says challenging market conditions contributed to the increase in formal complaints about licensed agents. Chief executive Belinda Moffat noted growing consumer dissatisfaction with agency performance. The most common complaint themes were customer service, skill and care, disclosure, misleading advertising, and poor communication. 
In markets, global stocks fell sharply even after US President Donald Trump signed a spending Bill ending the 43-day Government shutdown. Investors had hoped reopening federal services would lift sentiment, but major exchanges in Europe and the United States declined. A market analyst from financial services network StoneX says while technology shares look "increasingly overvalued and overstretched," it is "far too early to call a top in this cycle" as investors remain enthusiastic about artificial intelligence. Oil prices partially rebounded after recent losses. 
In other news, part of the Hilton Auckland's exterior has been reclad, and developer David Henderson's former apartment converted into additional hotel rooms. Brosnan, the building contractor, says the project was challenging because the five-star waterfront hotel continued operating during construction. A custom scaffolding system attached to each level was used to minimize disruption. Brosnan says it maintained safe conditions for guests and nearby businesses on Princes Wharf. Property owner M&L Group says the recladding is part of its ongoing reinvestment in the 165-room hotel, including the conversion of the former level-eight apartment. 
Meanwhile, broadcaster Jenny-May Clarkson will leave TVNZ's Breakfast programme next Friday after six years on air. TVNZ says Clarkson and the company agreed she would finish on November twenty-first following a "long and valued contribution." Co-host Chris Chang paid tribute, calling her an "amazing partner in crime." Clarkson told viewers it had been "an absolute honour and a privilege." TVNZ says Breakfast will be refreshed, with a search for a new host underway. Clarkson's exit follows other recent leadership and programming changes at the state-owned broadcaster. 
And Auckland developer COD Crown Projects has been fined forty-eight thousand dollars for illegal earthworks in Browns Bay and Northcross. The company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Resource Management Act. Judge Melinda Dickey found the breaches caused significant sediment discharge and environmental harm. She says the developer "turned a blind eye" to what was happening on its land. Auckland Council's investigations leader Paul Cowling says the penalty shows courts treat such breaches seriously. Council rules require strict erosion and sediment controls before, during, and after earthworks to protect the environment and surrounding properties. 
That was Today in Business - Powered by Spark for Business - your NZ Herald daily business summary. For the best in business, subscribe to Herald Premium at nzherald.co.nz.

Today in Business is an experimental AI podcast by the New Zealand Herald. Listen every day at 5pm for the top headlines from the NZ Herald business team. 

Powered by Spark for Business.

Today in Business is an experimental AI podcast by the New Zealand Herald.&nbsp;Listen every day at 5pm for the top headlines from the NZ Herald business team.&nbsp;
Powered by Spark for Business.

Today in Business

Welcome to Today in Business - Powered by Spark for Business, an experimental AI podcast by the New Zealand Herald. 
Each weekday, we bring you five stories, the best of the New Zealand Herald business journalism, summarised and delivered by an AI voice...

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