Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the state of the markets at the mid-point of 2026

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the US launching safeguard investigation into NZ lamb imports

Meat industry leaders are disappointed with the United States’ move to initiate a safeguard investigation into lamb imports from New Zealand and Australia. The investigation, to be carried out by the US’s International Trade Commission, is expected to take up to six months to complete. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Paul Fuge: Consumer NZ spokesperson on the number of Kiwis switching power companies

Kiwis are often told to look for the best deals on power, and they're not afraid to swap providers for a better price. So who's winning and who's losing the battle for those customers? Data from the Electricity Authority shows that Genesis Energy is the biggest loser here, with the company losing a net 35,015 customers in the year to June. Nova lost 9059, Manawa 3329 and Mercury 2706. On the opposite end, Contact gained 20,577, Electric Kiwi gained 11,590 and Meridian gained 10,288.  Consumer NZ Paul Fuge says the energy market is quite volatile, and many companies have been making changes to keep up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group Managing Director on sluggish retail spending

There's a belief sluggish retail spending is a reminder retailers need to stick to the basics. Stats NZ says core retail spending last month was only 0.4% higher year on year. Spending on clothes fell the most at 4.2% – its fourth straight decrease. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge retailers have to be hungry in the market with strong retail disciplines, but he understands it's tough.  He says rising costs and distribution has made things challenging for retailers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management expert on the listed retirement sector struggling in 2026

Recent reports indicate the listed retirement sector in New Zealand has continued to struggle in 2026. Share market expectations were high in the new year, but the predicted growth has since turned flat and negative. Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Karl Puschmann: entertainment journalist on Netflix looking into buying Letterboxd for $423m

Netflix is in talks to buy the New Zealand-founded Letterboxd for $423 million, according to new reports. Letterboxd was created by Auckland designers Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, and it allows people to create profiles and log and rate their favourite movies. Entertainment journalist Karl Puschmann says Letterboxd has a reputation as a niche social network, and there's concerns about what a corporate takeover could do for it. "That sense of community around it, you feel like you're with film enthusiasts, you feel part of that club - they've got a delicate balance here to keep that feeling and also get that return on investment." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.