Michael Gordon: Westpac senior economist on the Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index dropping to lowest level since 2004

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the 'volatile' state of AI-based investments

It's been a turbulent time for AI-based investments. The AI capital expenditure-leveraged Korean and Japanese share markets have recovered from last week's drop, but experts say things are still 'volatile'. Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Louise Tanguay: Sleep Store co-founder and director on the company turning 20

The Sleep Store is celebrating 20 years of helping families find the right products for their kids. The brand has gone from a kitchen table start-up to filling more than 150,000 orders per year. Co-founder and director Louise Tanguay says it's 'wild' to look back at how much the brand has grown. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the Government's goal to double exports by the 2030s

The Finance Minister is hopeful that New Zealand's exports will grow significantly over the next ten years. If reelected, National says it will pursue trade negotiations with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.  It would seek talks with a further six trading nations over the next decade.  Nicola Willis says it's likely there will be more demand for New Zealand-made products over the years as the market grows and changes.  "If you'd asked me 20 years ago - what will China buy from us? I probably wouldn't have predicted some of the products that they now buy from us. I wouldn't have said that they would be an importer of our wine, that they would be such a massive importer of dairy products." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Tim Groser: former Trade Minister 'encouraged' by Government outlining future trade plan

A former Trade Minister says he's very encouraged by National's election promise that it'll pursue trade talks with seven economies. It says it would prioritise trade talks with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. It's also promised to advance negotiations with a further six countries over the next decade. Tim Groser says if you don't aim high, you achieve low.  "It's possible - and even if they fall short, it's certainly going to set the direction of travel." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large calls for bipartisan effort to reform KiwiSaver

There's hopes compulsory KiwiSaver can help New Zealand catch up to Australia's economy.  The National Party is campaigning on making KiwiSaver mandatory for all workers, and for gradually raising the matching rate to six percent.  NZ Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann says he wants to see a bipartisan effort and for the Labour Party to get on board.  He says people will need to get used to that six percent figure.  "They're at higher levels than that in Australia - it's painful in the short term, but they do cope. And then, you move on and then you forget about it and you just look at that giant figure on your KiwiSaver statement." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.