Best of Business

Kate Acland: Beef and Lamb Chair comments on red meat driving increase in exports

New Zealand's exporters are seeing success, with the total value of exports adding up to $8.9bn in May.  This is a rise of $1.4bn from last year, and red meat is the biggest driver. It's jumped 43% year on year - with frozen beef being particularly successful.  Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the success is due to a combination of factors.  "High demand, low supply, and I think, you know, I have to say it is supported by a low Kiwi dollar at the moment." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hayley Horan: Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO on the canning of the Golden Mile project

Businesses in the capital are looking forward to more certainty, with the controversial Golden Mile project now officially canned.   Councillors voted yesterday to scrap the CBD upgrade plan in favour of more modest upgrades.  It follows a review last week finding further budget blowouts were likely.  Wellington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Hayley Horan told Mike Hosking businesses want a more vibrant city and are now feeling like they're at the table.   She says the years of reviews and re-scopes have been exhausting, so having a decision beats another year of limbo.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on Kevin Warsh making debut as Federal Reserve chair

Kevin Warsh made his debut at the wheel of the US central bank today, and it's prompted a divided response. The Federal Reserve unanimously voted to keep interest rates unchanged today. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Rabobank's latest survey showing farmer confidence has taken a hit

Farmer confidence has fallen slightly, as the impacts of the Iran war continue to be felt. Rabobank's latest survey shows 29 percent of farmers expect things to improve in the coming year, down from 39 percent last quarter. Growers are feeling more negative. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on whether the economy will bounce back following US-Iran peace deal

New Zealand's continuing to feel the knock-on effects of continuing economic downturn - but is there light at the end of the tunnel?  The latest data shows GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter, before the fuel crisis started to hit. However, EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald is urging caution at this stage. "Everyone's kind of hedging their bets a little, but those underlying good factors that were evident in those numbers...they're still there. But some of the intentions to hire and invest - understandably, it's gone on hold." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.