Car sales are on the rise, according to a new report - but there's one key factor that's leading the charge.

BYD, GWM, MG, Chery and Zeekr all appeared in the top 15 car makes for the month, with Chinese-made EVs helping grow overall car sale numbers.

Motor Trade Association CEO Lee Marshall says this proves that the market dynamics are shifting.

"I think it's a demand for EVs overall, but I think you've got a few different factors that are all playing into each other - and making something of a perfect storm." 

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IMAX has been seeing a big surge in popularity thanks to films like The Odyssey, and the head of Hoyts is looking to utilise this to meet demand.

Event Cinemas currently operates the only two IMAX theatres in New Zealand, in Wellington and Auckland.

Film critic Darren Bevan says it's likely Christchurch will get an IMAX theatre - and Hoyts has said there's plans to upgrade existing cinema complexes in Riccarton in Christchurch, Te Awa in Hamilton and Sylvia Park in Auckland.

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Chris Luxon's standing by his comments telling struggling business owners to take more responsibility for themselves.

The National party leader told a Rotorua business function on Friday to "be adult", responding to a question about the city's struggling economy. 

He says they had a "parent-child mentality" - and that he didn't wait for the Government when he was Air NZ's CEO. 

Luxon told Mike Hosking that his government's trying to empower businesses.

He says they've partnered with businesses through the fuel crisis, which is different to Labour's approach of dictating to businesses through Covid.

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When the cost of living crisis is driving your day-to-day costs up, putting money in to a Kiwisaver might not seem appealing. 

But is it still important to keep the flow of money in to Kiwisaver going? And what do you do when you want to get started investing in an index fund?

Founder and Managing director of Koura wealth Rupert Carlyon joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money to discuss. 

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A Rotorua business leader told Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about the city’s struggling economy at a function, prompting the PM to tell business owners to 'be adult'.

Luxon was in Rotorua last week with appointments including the recent Business Chamber Westpac Smarts Breakfast.

Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Luxon's comments have prompted outrage, with Labour condemning him for 'lecturing' business owners about the state of the economy.

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Manufacturing and construction are showing signs of recovery. 

ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey finds confidence rose 19 points over the last month, to 56%. 

In terms of past activity, manufacturing was highest, while agriculture saw a marked fall and construction lifted. 

ASB acting chief economist Kim Mundy told Andrew Dickens the construction sector has been struggling for some time, so this is welcome news.  

She says it's good to see the rise in residential consents transfer into activity.  

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South Island business leaders want to be recognised as the engine room of New Zealand's economy. 

The eight chambers of commerce have launched a joint manifesto, representing around seven thousand businesses. 

It calls for policies to lift productivity, with a goal of increasing South Island GDP per capita to at least $130 thousand by 2035. 

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking it shows there's great alignment across the South Island. 

She says if New Zealand wants stronger productivity, higher incomes, and greater resilience, backing the South Island is the smartest investment. 

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It's been a big week for the tech sector, with Meta and Microsoft moving to post their earnings.

But it's sparked concerns about the future of AI, and whether or not another sector bubble is set to burst.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further.

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Auckland's Watercare is taking a mixed approach to funding a $15.2 billion capital investment. 

This includes $4.3 billion for renewals, upgrades to prevent wastewater spills, and lifting the daily flow of drinking water from Waikato River to $300 million by 2033. 

Watercare CEO Jamie Sinclair says separating from Auckland Council means the utility will need to explore new funding streams to get this through.

"We've got to go find our own debt funding, which we've been pretty successful at, I'd have to say, over the last year or so." 

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Farming is powering strong small business sales growth.  

A Xero Small Business Insights report reveals an 8.6% year on year increase in sales in the June quarter. 

Agriculture saw a 16.3% increase, construction climbed 11%, and manufacturing rose 8.6% during the same time period.  

Country Manager Bridget Snelling told Mike Hosking it is a bit of a two-speed recovery, with retail only growing by 6.4%. 

She says there’s some ongoing uncertainty around fuel costs and geopolitical events which will continue to influence small businesses when it comes to hiring and investment decisions. 

Plus, Snelling told Hosking, consumers are still going to be a bit circumspect with their discretionary spend heading towards the election.  

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