Simon Hartley

Otago has raced up the latest ASB regional quarterly rankings - its leap from seventh place to second underpinned by strong Dunedin house price growth and employment levels among the highest in the...

Auckland underpinned a surge in residential consents in January which nationally hit a 44-year high, while in the South consents for the month were flat.

The receiver of failed Dunedin bedding manufacturer Ellis Fibre hopes for a purchase by interested domestic or offshore parties as the sale deadline looms next week.

Reporting season for listed New Zealand and Australian companies is more than halfway through, and results have been generally "solid'' so far.

Demolition is almost complete of two earthquake non-compliant buildings owned by Delta, which will use the land to store plant and equipment.

High fuel prices, a weak new Zealand dollar and increased operational costs resulted in Air New Zealand's profit plunging by 34% to $152million for its half year to December.

New Zealand's rate of imports are rising much faster than exports, which was reflected in the largest trade deficit book for any January, of $914million.

PGG-Wrightson (PGW) has reported a profit plunge after its soon-to-be-sold Seed and Grain division delivered an $8.6 million loss, paring overall first-half profit down to $320,000.

Tourism operator and campervan renter Tourism Holdings has posted a revenue dip, profit decline and readjusted its full-year guidance downward, reflecting a slowing growth rate of visitors.

High estimated grades of gold and silver have been found at Oceana Gold's WKP prospect, near its Waihi mine in the central North Island.

The economy is expected to regain some momentum this year, largely underpinned by Government spending and strength in the rural sector.

Retirement village operator Summerset's assets have grown 24% to top $2.8billion, but reported profit for the year declined 11% to $214.5million as property prices eased during the year.

The largest proposed shake-up in New Zealand tax law for at least 30 years will have far-reaching effects for every taxpayer in the country.

Business organisations reacted sourly to the Labour coalition Government proposals for an all-encompassing capital gains tax (CGT), citing complexity, cost and "investment distortions".

Oceana Gold finished its calendar 2018 year with a more than $US120 million ($NZ174 million) profit, and debt slashed by almost 60%, but all to a backdrop of rising mining costs.

Beleaguered Fletcher Building has returned to profit and there has been no addition to almost $1 billion in accumulated losses, which had prompted a sweeping restructuring and shareholder backlash.

Total trade for the country's largest port, Port of Tauranga, has risen almost 9% for its half-year result, with expectations its full-year profit will be at the upper end of a forecast range of ...

Otago and Southland's services sector activity eased back in January, barely in expansion mode.

Business and political news this week is set to be dominated by the long-awaited Tax Working Group report on Thursday - and its recommendations around a capital gains tax (CGT).