Best of Business Newstalk ZB

Questions are being raised about the future of the Port of Tauranga.

This comes off the back of Auckland mayor Wayne Brown confirming the Port of Auckland's land, assets, and operations will be kept in council ownership.

Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explores a few potential outcomes.

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One expert has noticed New Zealand's biggest banks don't seem to be rushing to get more information about the insurability of the properties they lend against.

The Reserve Bank wants banks to keep a closer eye on the long-term insurability of properties they lend against, amid concerns about natural risks.

Jenee Tibshraeny explains the moves the banks could take to address these issues.

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New research indicates manual cars will be phased out within the next five years.

The number of new manual cars being manufactured has halved within the last six years - and companies like Volvo, Lexus, Jaguar have stopped producing showroom models of manual cars.

AA's Roger Venn says it's likely we'll only be importing battery-powered electric vehicles, according to new regulations.

"They don't come with any transmission that requires a clutch and a gearbox. So yes, new manual vehicles will be off the menu within very few years."

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Meat exporters are celebrating news the Government's negotiating a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says he hopes to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says it's good that we're striking when the iron's hot when it comes to demand from that part of the world.

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The small town of Reefton, located in the West Coast, is sitting on a supply of a valuable mineral.

An Australian mining company believes Reefton could have 5 percent of the world's supply of antimony.

Siren Gold CEO Victor Rajasooriar says it's likely they'll find at least 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes of antimony if they keep drilling.

"We're quite confident with the initial drilling that we've done... there's a lot sitting in that region.

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The country's largest bank has increased its cash profit, despite falling interest margins.

ANZ New Zealand's cash profit rose to $1.15 billion dollars in the six months to March.

That's stable on the previous six months, and up four percent on the same period the previous year.

Chief Executive Antonia Watson says the bank has taken on less provision for 'doubtful' debts this half.

"Revenue is under pressure, costs are under pressure - just like every other business is seeing. But we have had an advantage from that credit provision."

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