Best of Business

AI seems to be having a positive impact on Kiwi businesses.
A new report from 2degrees and Deloitte suggests small and medium businesses using high levels of AI made around $400,000 more in 2025 than comparable non-users.
Larger businesses averaged around $59.1 million more, with 82% of firms using some form of AI.
2degrees Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray told Mike Hosking the ones getting the best results are being disciplined and going deep.
He says they’re not just redesigning existing workflows with the addition of AI, they’re stepping back and looking at what they need to do going forward, and how they can leverage AI as an enabler.
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While most of the world will hold interest rates and wait out the energy shock, Australia and New Zealand are set to lift their rates up.
Both nations are looking to bring down inflation, and the ongoing fuel crisis is set to pose additional economic risks.
HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained why this is the case.
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New Zealand and India have signed a landmark FTA - which is set to slash tariffs on Kiwi exports to India.
The agreement will now be examined by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee before legislation is introduced to bring it into force.
The Country's Jamie Mackay explains how Kiwi farmers will benefit from this arrangement.
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One expert has noticed there doesn't appear to be any significant surprises in New Zealand's new trade agreement with India.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi overnight, and will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 percent of exports to the world's largest country.
BusinessDesk senior journalist Dileepa Fonseka says there's no numerical limits on the international student numbers, but we can make tweaks if needed.
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The popularity of American sports could keep growing here - as streaming giants compete for viewers.
Disney Plus is pushing its ESPN sports offering across Australasia with a new lower-cost subscription plan.
Media commentator Duncan Greive says younger audiences are increasingly turning to American sports on global platforms over watching traditional sports like rugby and cricket.
"The had a moat as wide as the Tasman around them in terms of TV and radio - now with YouTube and TikTok, rugby doesn't have the kind of hold over them."
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