Alka Prasad is a small business reporter for the New Zealand Herald.
Alka graduated from the University of Auckland in 2018 with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts. She went on to write for Government agencies in Wellington, including Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Alka took part in the Te Rito journalism cadetship where she worked across newsrooms including Whakaata Māori, Pacific Media Network, Newshub and the NZ Herald. She then worked at the Herald covering small business and retail.
What does council’s Long-Term Plan mean for Aucklanders?
Rising rates, council cutbacks and plugging a fuel-tax hole.
Paku co-founder on introducing future generations to Matauranga Māori
Co-founder James Prier says the team launched their second product last year.
January consumer spending up, hospitality spending drops
Data from Worldline shows a slight lift in consumer spending in January.
Briscoe Group reports record full-year sales but expects dip in net profit
The Kiwi retailer has delivered strong results despite an industry downturn.
Small Business: Barbenheimer breaks Penthouse Cinema’s nearly 50-year box office record
The Kisby family bought the Vogue in 1975 and turned it into the iconic Penthouse Cinema.
Supie partially snapped up by another Kiwi business
'The purchase price we paid wasn’t significant.'
Insolvent restaurant racks up $1.2m in creditor claims
The Manawatū restaurant operated for less than two years before going into liquidation.
Creative instinct: Retailer proud to shine a light on Māori designs
'This is the highlight of this business.'
December spending on a “sharper decline than expected”
Electronic card spending fell at the end of last year which might be bad news for retail.
Māori authority exports drop 16 per cent in September quarter
Stats NZ's tatauranga umanga Māori data for the September quarter show a drop in exports.
Kiwi cosmetics manufacturers leading industry growth
New research shows Kiwi cosmetics manufacturers are defying an industry downturn.
Lisa King on expanding AF to the US market
AF and Eat My Lunch founder Lisa King says her biggest success is leaving corporate.
Manawa Udy on sustaining Māori business through political noise
Ngahere Communities' online store Konei opened its first retail store this month.
Mabel’s owner on its mission to bring Burmese flavours to Wellington
Mabel's pays tribute to the owner of NZ's first Burmese restaurant, The Monsoon.
Jaimee Lupton on running TikTok’s most popular haircare brand
The Monday Haircare co-founder says this year has brought successes as well as challenges.
Vaping, swimming pools, live gigs: 2023 sets consumer spending records
Data from ANZ and Worldline showed spending was subdued in December but still set records.
On edge and hoping for a ‘normal year’: Top five retail priorities for 2024
Industry players say 2024 will be a test for businesses and consumers.
Rekkha Yoga founder on getting the ancient practice off the mat
The yoga in social media and studios might sometimes be far removed from its roots.
Gracie MacKinlay on Mighty Ape’s record-breaking 2023 sales
MacKinlay says the retailers face a challenging 2024 despite record-breaking sales.
Bed, Bath and Beyond NZ profits defy downturn, climb 7.5pc
The homeware retailer had a rise in revenue and profits in its latest full-year report.
Pic’s Peanut Butter chief says new Government has a ‘tough road’ ahead
Aimee McCammon studied at Harvard Business School this year and hasn't lost momentum.
SME concerns shift from staffing to survival
New data shows SMEs are under more economic pressure.
From dairy worker to retail boss - Carolyn Young on her priorities as head of Retail NZ
The sector is facing tough economic conditions and crime.
Boxing Day spending flat, ‘disappointing’ result for retailers
Boxing Day spending was flat on last year but pre-Christmas spending pulled through.
Christmas Wonderland Store owner on filling the gap left by Kirkcaldie & Stains’ closure
The business started with an aim to bring the 'indulgence' of European Christmas to NZ.
Lift in Kiwis' pre-Christmas spending rings up $2.65b for month
Worldline data showed Kiwis' spending is up on last year in the countdown to Christmas.
Retailers gear up for last-minute Christmas rush
But consumers remain under pressure from the higher cost of living.
Beaufort Watches founder on growing the ‘untouched’ Kiwi market
Beaufort Watches owner Robert Kwok says his passion is to share the craft of watchmaking.
Retail spending up in November but retail outlook remains ‘cautious’
Stats NZ data showed card spending was up across all categories last month.
Supie collapse: Potential buyers unlikely to continue operating
The grocery retailer went into voluntary administration and liquidation last month.
Photographer on elevating migrant voices in NZ’s fine arts
Abhi Chinniah reveals challenges as she makes strides in Aotearoa’s fine arts scene.
Cost of living hits customers as Woolworths NZ's profits slashed
The supermarket giant's revenue rose 4.5 per cent.
Kharl WiRepa prepares for second run at Paris Fashion Week
Māori designer is preparing to take five indigenous designers to French showcase in 2024.
Kiwi kitset assembly company raising $7m to expand to US
Growing business assembles everything from barbecues to sheds.
Black Friday: A hit or a miss for consumers and retailers?
Black Friday spending was down but some retailers came out with a win.
‘I’m disgusted’: Investors hit back at Warehouse board
Company under fire over customer service, loyalty schemes and struggling brand.
My Food Bag clawing back customers after profits drop 60pc
My Food Bag profits took a 60 per cent hit in its half-year results posted today.
The Kiwi shoe company using cactus leather
Entrepreneur on taking his family's Kiwi footwear legacy from Lower Hutt to California.
Staying at the H on Smith: Darwin here we come!
H on Smith is at the heart of Darwin's vibrant city centre.
Optique Eyecare expands across the Pacific
Optique Eyecare started in Suva and expanded to Auckland this year.
Where to seek solitude in some of Australia's most remote regions
Australia's Northern Territory blends a serene retreat experience with outdoors adventure.
From laksa to cabaret: Five unmissable Northern Territory activities
Australia's Northern Territory is home to the country's unique mix of old and new.
Pah Homestead cafe under new management, previous operator in liquidation
Pah Homestead housed the James Wallace Arts Trust collection.
Can retail bounce back from off-Broadway tragedies?
Barkers snatches victory from jaws of defeat, main street blues pondered.
What happens with Supie customer refunds and the $900k of leftover stock?
Suppliers are waiting on between $800,000 to $900,000 worth of stock.
Why Supie didn’t have enough cash to pay staff: 'We busted our a**es for that place'
Supie completed its second capital raise before going into voluntary administration.
Simon Smuts-Kennedy on the cap-tivating legacy of Hills Hats
The humble Wellington brand has hatted some of the biggest names around the world.
Small business sales down for the first time in two years
New data shows Kiwi small businesses have a "challenging" road ahead.
'The bargain buzz': Shoppers reveal how they get the best out of Costco
A dozen bluff oysters for $3 or a storage headache?
The Costco effect: One year on from giant US retailer's NZ launch
More than 150,000 Kiwis have signed up.
Sneaky Snacky expands despite ongoing economic pressure
The cult burger maker opened its first doughnut shop on Auckland's High St in June.
Possibility, opportunity, hope: Why Kiwis should make a date for Garma
Australia's largest indigenous gathering happens once a year in a remote location.
'Spectacular': Briscoe boss upbeat despite lower profit
The retailer posted a record half-year result, while net profit took a 6 per cent hit.
Czarina Wilson celebrates Aotearoa from the gallery to Glen Innes
There are treasures to be found from a range of artists.
Nike cuts online shopping in NZ
The sportswear giant announced the closure of its online sales in New Zealand today.
Masala Bazaar breaking the ‘stereotypical lens’ for South Asian women in business
Haya Khan says Masala Bazaar is working to change the "Bollywood representation" of women.
Fiji’s Deputy PM calls on NZ Govt for visa-free travel
Biman Prasad says visa-free travel is the surest way to improve economic ties.
K-Fry competition heats up: Korean fried chicken chain coming to NZ
Fast-food retailer plans to open 18 stores around NZ.
Inflation, labour issues take 86pc bite out of Restaurant Brands profit
The fast-food retailer plans to increase prices to deal with a 'volatile' economy.
Q&A: Harper James founder talks inclusive underwear designs for ‘hardworking women’
Social media has become a core tool for selling the underwear.
Retail sales down: Where Kiwis are spending less
Stats NZ data for the June quarter shows another drop in retail sales volumes.
Villa Maria shutting down Māngere operations, 14 jobs affected
Owner Indevin announced its Māngere operations will start decommissioning in October.
Contactless eftpos plans ahead of legislation changes
Payment provider Worldline is working to get more Kiwis using eftpos.
Spilling the ‘Anxietea’ - Better Tea Co. wins grant
Founder Tamarin Howse started the business in 2018 to manage mental health at work.
My Food Bag defends executive salaries, remains focused on 'right-sizing'
My Food Bag chairman Tony Carter defended high exec payouts as the company cuts costs.
Temuka Pottery continues its ceramics legacy
Temuka Pottery was bought by Decopot in 2015, taking the company in a new direction.
Pic's Peanut Butter chief says its biggest challenge is meeting demand
Pic's Peanut Butter chief Aimee McCammon says the brand aims to keep production in NZ.
Craft breweries: Alcohol excise hikes ‘a slap in the face’
Independent craft breweries around the country say excise hikes are squeezing businesses.
Egg shortage: Bakeries, cafes scrambling for supply
Hospitality and wholesalers say they have no access to the staple ingredient.
Brown Pride - a hub for music, haircuts, threads and fitness
Johnnie Timu says Brown Pride aims to bring holistic wellbeing to his community.
Election 2023: How small business feels about the parties
New data from MYOB shows Labour support is down on the last election in 2020.
Auckland Food Show debuts new flavours coming to Kiwi tables
This year's Food Show kicked off today with a focus on New Zealand's small businesses.
Nation of Debt: Kiwis putting more on the plastic to cope with the cost of living
How the economic slowdown is stretching household budgets.
On a mission to spice up NZ's food and beer scene
Chaat Street has partnered with Garage Project for this year's Wellington on a Plate.
Jeweller Michael Hill's sales jump 6pc, earnings expected to be lower
The retailer announced today that sales are up across Australia, NZ and Canada.
Well-trod path: Kiwi shoe making school off to Oz
Founder Lou Clifton says the pandemic and recession have hit NZ' shoemaking industry.
A who’s who of Ponsonby Central: A business hub for film-makers, top chefs and tech giants
Ponsonby Central has become home to some of Aotearoa's big names in business.
Buyers line up for $70m-plus Ponsonby Central: What's inside?
Ponsonby Rd's retail vacancy rate is just 0.9 per cent, the lowest in central Auckland.
Wellington chippy insolvent, blames Covid and Parliament protest
The fish and chip venue received $30,000 in funding following the anti-mandate protest.
Retail spending reinforces expectations for economic downturn
Spending in June showed a small bounce-back after last month's slump.