The Finance Minister has adamantly denied any suggestions of the Government trying to interfere in the Reserve Bank.

Critics have raised concerns that the Reserve Bank's temporary Governor and Chair are acting to appeal to Nicola Willis' interests.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further.

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Despite the negative press and volatile climate, some financial markets have managed to hold up solidly throughout 2025.

The consumer staples industry - food, beverages, household products - and all the brands tied to that sector have managed to stay strong throughout the year.

Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains further.

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Chicken exports are returning to normal after a bird flu outbreak in Otago last year.

Last December, New Zealand experienced its first confirmed case of avian influenza on an Otago egg farm and thousands of chickens were culled.

While the outbreak was contained to the Hillgrove farm, measures were taken to prevent further spread, including surveillance and temporary suspension of chicken exports.

The Country's Rowena Duncum explains further.

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There's been some positive trade news.

Stats NZ data shows goods exports rose 19 percent to $7.6 billion in March - compared to the same time a year ago.

Milk powder, butter and cheese rose 35 percent to $2.3 billion.

Goods imports rose 12 percent to $6.6 billion.

Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon unpacked the factors.

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There's less than a month to go until the 2025 Budget is unveiled - and the Finance Minister has been clear about the goals she aims to tackle.

Nicola Willis says New Zealand has been in a significant deficit since 2019, and she's determined to get back into surplus by 2027/2028.

She explained getting the country back into surplus will help to pay down debt.

"We're borrowing every day right now to keep our hospitals, schools and police going - but we can't do that forever as a country, we need to get the books back in balance."

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Limited Easter trading hours are bringing extra financial burdens for businesses according to retailers.

The Retail Radar survey shows almost 70 percent of retailers are concerned about the cost of living - with merchant fees also top of mind.

The law says local council have the final say on when businesses are allowed to open.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says these restrictions are 'outdated' and don't reflect the current market.

"When these laws were first established, we didn't have the internet, people weren't shopping 24/7 online any day they wanted - and families work in different ways and shopping is available in different ways."

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If you live in a city, there is something quite special about waking up on Good Friday - to the sound of silence.

There are no cars on the road, no hum of traffic in the distance, no sound of people going about their day-to-day routines. My first thought on Friday was - it’s like Christmas Day. My second thought wasn’t as pleasant - it’s like lockdown. But the feeling was the same - how nice the world is when it pauses for a moment.

But as much as I appreciate these few days a year when many get to stop, the crazy rush, chock-a-block carparks and supermarkets on Thursday and Saturday made me wonder whether it’s worth it.

We don’t seem to be able to cope, or prepare, for supermarkets to shut. If we weren’t down on hot cross buns, I certainly wouldn’t have made the trip to my local. It’s lovely having Friday and Sunday off, but not, if the days around it are a nightmare.

We have been talking about the inconsistencies and confusion around retail laws over Easter for as long as I can remember. What is open and shut depends on where you are in the country; sometimes where you are in a city. Don’t forget it’s the local authority which decides whether stores can open or not.

It depends on what you’re selling. There are strange restrictions on what can be sold, and you must be selling something that people can’t put off buying until the next day. But you can get a haircut. And just to make it even more confusing - the Shop Trading Hours Act covers both public holidays, and days that aren’t public holidays, such as Easter Sunday.

I think it’s time to let people decide for themselves how they want to spend their Easter. Whether they open their businesses, work or shop, or do none of the above and quietly go about their day.

We’ve been arguing forever the merits of a day off and people being able to spend time with family and friends, or businesses being able to make the most of people wanting to spend money and get jobs done.

We have spoken about employees facing pressure from their employers to work over Easter when they would prefer not to. And how there are plenty of employees who would happily take the benefits of working a public holiday.

Let’s not forget online retailers can sell you whatever they like on these days.

What a minefield of confusion. Let’s just bite the bullet, simplify the laws, make sure employees are protected, and let businesses decide if they open or not, and get on like it’s 2025 and not 1990.

I’m also pleased sense is being shown around the purchase of alcohol over Easter. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s Bill to change rules around alcohol sales on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas was voted through its first reading a week or so ago.

Currently, people must order a meal before having an alcoholic beverage at a restaurant or pub. Once again, it’s all about simplifying the rules for both hospo, tourists, and Kiwis catching up at a restaurant over the holiday period.

And there are a lot of businesses who would appreciate it being simpler to make a buck.

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With China and the US promising trade war escalations, economists are speculating about the future of the tariffs and how they'll impact global economies.

Some have have drawn parallels with the Great Depression - and warned the world should be prepared for a downturn.

Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further.

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