There's green shoots emerging for New Zealand's struggling red meat sector, according to new reports.

The Meat Industry Association claims exports to China in August were down 50 percent to $107 million compared with the same time last year.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further.

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Plenty of celebrities have expressed their support for supplement giant AG1 - but an investigation has dug up some questionable details about the company's founder.

Founder Chris Ashenden has resigned amid a Newsroom investigation that raised questions over his criminal history and unpaid fines and reparations by his now-defunct firms.

Newsroom Pro managing editor Jonathan Milne says Ashenden's refusal to be interviewed set off journalistic 'alarm bells'.

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It's less than a week until voters in the US will cast their ballots and determine a new president - and experts are wondering about the economic impacts.

No matter who wins, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have policies that could have implications regarding the future of international business.

NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what the candidates could do for New Zealand's economic future.

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Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has launched a bid to establish a direct flight from Auckland Airport to Brazil's Sao Paulo.

He believes this could boost trade between New Zealand and Brazil by up to $1.5 billion a year.

NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon says this is a good idea - and could open up new opportunities for New Zealand.

"Given the mayhem which is happening in the United States at the moment and their incoherent economic policies - we've got to be innovative."

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Optimism is rising among businesses - largely driven by construction.

ANZ's October business outlook has business confidence up five points on 66, in a 10-year high.

Meanwhile, the proportion of businesses feeling they're faring well, has climbed to -11 in the highest point since March.

Chief economist Sharon Zollner says it boils down to interest rates.

She says fewer construction firms say they're not busy than a year ago - and she explained conditions are tough, but things are starting to look up a little.

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Spark has reduced its earnings and dividend guidance for the 2025 year, saying its financial performance 'falls short of what is acceptable'.

The company said its operating earnings (Ebitdai) were expected to fall to around $1.12-$1.18 billion in 2025, down 4% from a previous forecast of $1.165-$1.22b.

The company has reduced its dividend forecast from 27.5 cents to 25c, 75% imputed.

Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacks the downturn.

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BNZ is set to head back to court tomorrow as part of their ongoing legal dispute with Gloriavale.

If the hearing goes well, the bank could get approval to close the accounts Gloriavale has with BNZ.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny reveals what could come out of tomorrow's case.

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Small businesses want the Government to rethink regulations it describes as a burden.

A new report from Business NZ claims small Kiwi businesses are bogged down by compliance hurdles and complicated regulations, which it says cost time and money.

Business NZ CEO Katherine Rich told Mike Hosking politicians need to ease the burden, and not politicise it.

She says too often the debate around small business involves politicians promising to cut red tape, but she says they need to be more specific about what will actually change.

Rich says they've provided a practical shopping list of possible regulation changes that would help businesses almost immediately.

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