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

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.

Jack Crosti: Auckland chef explains why he was disappointed with this week's Michelin ceremony

A Michelin-trained chef has criticised the Michelin Guide after Tuesday night’s inaugural awards ceremony in a post on social media. Jack Crosti, who has worked for Michelin-starred kitchens across the UK and Europe, voiced his support for Michelin coming to New Zealand, but described the ceremony as a 'joke' and questioned the selection process. He says this was a 'once-in-a-lifetime' event for chefs and operators and it wasn't delivered properly. "It felt very disconnected...some restaurants were left out, some others were included, there's no consistency, really."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on the increase in delivery fees in online shopping

Finding a deal online is getting harder and harder, according to new reports. Delivery software firm Shippit has found standard New Zealand delivery fees have risen 30 cents this year, to an average of $10. Express delivery's gone up $3 to average $17.40 Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says it's down to global factors.  "When the Middle East crisis started, we know that freight companies increase their prices immediately."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the IMF warning the Government will need to hike taxes and cut spending

The International Monetary Fund is broadly happy with how the Government and Reserve Bank are steering the economy - but it's warned some changes need to take place. The agency says the Government will need to hike taxes, as well as continue cutting spending, to get the country’s finances on a more sustainable path forward. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained how this could be implemented. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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

2026 is halfway over, and experts have noticed which trends are leading investor conversations. The chips and computer hardware sector has seen some growth thanks to the AI boom, but the Middle East conflict has continued to generate concerns. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.