Positive news from the manufacturing sector.

Data from inventory management software company Unleashed shows that both revenue and profitability is up.

In the first quarter of the year, revenue across the sector was up 7.5%, and profitability was up 30% compared to the same time last year.

Food, beverage, and the building industry are the big winners.

Alan McDonald, EMA Head of Advocacy, Finance and Strategy, told Mike Hosking this latest survey just reinforces the trend we’re seeing about growing confidence in the sector.

He says all signs indicate things are looking much better down the track.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US debt burden has been thrust into the spotlight - and it's an ongoing point of concern.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains why this is happening.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has slammed the Government for not getting a better trade deal out of the current Trump administration.

New Zealand currently has to pay a 10 percent tariff on all imports on New Zealand products out of the US.

But the opposition has claimed the Government is failing Kiwis by 'being comfortable' with a 10 percent tariff.

Former trade negotiator Stephen Jacobi says the Government is watching and consulting with trading partners.

"It's doing all those right sort of things. You have to remember that we are being charged as an additional tariff at the lowest end of the scale - we don't have a lot to offer the United States."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is proposing to give grocery suppliers a leg up in their dealings with the supermarket giants.

The commission has proposed updates to the Grocery Supply Code, including stopping retailers charging suppliers for stocking shelves and requiring retailers to keep records on how they’re complying with certain parts of the code.

Night 'n Day general manager Matthew Lane says this crackdown comes with encouraging implications for the sector.

"What's most encouraging for us is that the CommComm's cracking down on the fact that other retailers are being charged more for their wholesale than what the supermarkets are actually retailing the same products for."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK has managed to escape Donald Trump's recent executive order doubling steel and aluminium tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent.

The order raises import taxes for US-based firms buying metals from other countries going forward.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the UK evaded these tariffs as a result of the trade deal between both nations.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeowners need to brace for another cost increase, this time to help fund the state disaster insurer, the Natural Hazards Commission.

The minister responsible for the commission, David Seymour, says levies will 'almost certainly' need to rise, with Cabinet set to decide the changes in the coming months.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business leaders across New Zealand have voiced concerns that Donald Trump's tariffs could have a more severe global impact than the Covid-19 pandemic and the Global Financial Crisis.

The months since Trump’s 'Liberation Day' announcement have seen sustained market volatility, tit-for-tat trade wars and fears of a resurgence in inflation.

New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says experts are right to be concerned - as Trump's tariffs could potentially derail the economy for years to come.

"The GFC and the pandemic were over after three of four years, whereas the destabilisation of globalisation with the tariffs Trump is imposing - that could derail the economy for decades to come. There's so much uncertainty about it."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief state-owned enterprises need to go back to basics in order to up their game.

New Treasury documents show the Government's told New Zealand Post and Landcorp it's not impressed with their recent performance.

Simeon Brown - the Minister responsible for State-Owned Enterprises - has told them to deliver bold turnaround plans.

Northland MP Grant McCallum says Lancorp's lost its purpose.

He says previous leadership and ministers haven't helped - but rather, encouraged a move away from the basics of New Zealand farming.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.