Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on GDP rising 0.8 percent for the March quarter

Graham Leaming: Skellerup CEO on the company lifting its full-year profit outlook based on strong US demand

Another positive sign for the economy.  Kiwi manufacturer Skellerup —who makes everything from gumboots to industrial rubber products— has lifted its annual profit forecast to as much as $65 million.  They credit stronger than expected US demand for the increase.  CEO Graham Leaming told Mike Hosking they thought tariffs and the conflict in the Middle East might drive inflation and dampen demand in the US market, but that hasn’t materialised.  He says demand remains strong, and the things they manufacture and sell are often pretty critical to customers, so they were able to adjust prices in response to tariffs and increases to the cost of raw materials.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Cathy Hendry: Strategic Pay managing director on the non-executive director gender pay gap closing

Strategic Pay’s latest Directors’ Fees Survey shows the non-executive director pay gap has narrowed to just 0.5 percent. The findings highlight a significant narrowing of the gender pay gap across New Zealand boardrooms - with women earning 5.9 percent less than their male counterparts in 2025. Strategic Pay managing director Cathy Hendry says growth in the public sector has helped move this change.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Michael Gordon: Westpac senior economist on business confidence picking up for the June quarter

New data shows that business confidence has picked up for  in the June quarter, but Middle East tensions and higher fuel prices remain a concern. The latest NZIER survey shows a net 12 percent of business owners are feeling positive - up from just 1 percent in March. Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon says things are changing day-to-day, and it's unclear where things will end up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Tim Robinson: Delivereasy founder on New Zealand's growing appetite for takeaways

New data shows that Kiwis spent a collective $1.1 billion on takeaways in the first quarter of 2026, as delivery services see more popularity. Delivereasy, Uber Eats, and DoorDash are becoming a key part of New Zealanders' lives - and diets - and many local eateries are reliant on these services. Delivereasy founder Tim Robinson says people like the convenience, and the growth has been interesting to watch. "Even when times are a little bit tough, people seem to like the convenience and the comfort."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Rohan Metrani: SolarZero customer on being locked into a contract with the liquidated solar-panel subscription service

Customers of a liquidated solar-panel subscription service are complaining they're stuck in expensive contracts.   SolarZero went into liquidation in 2024, with thousands of customers still on 20-year-agreements. Now many customers say their power bills are rising more than expected - with no easy solution.  Customer Rohan Metrani says he has no one to speak to, to cancel his contract.  "We want to get rid of their system, we're paying for the rental - which isn't really getting us any savings. So it's become more of a liability." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.