Dene Mackenzie

The shape of Port of Tauranga's earnings is changing, as accelerating bulk volumes offset a near-term fall in container numbers, Forsyth Barr broker Suzanne Kinnaird says.

A swell of optimism from the South Island is expected to drive record business activity throughout New Zealand this year, the ANZ's quarterly Business Micro Scope survey of small firms says.

A long legal battle could ensue following French dairy giant Danone's decision to launch legal action against Fonterra over last year's botulism scare.

A significant gas find in the Great South Basin would provide the largest economic boom to New Zealand people would ever remember, Milford Asset Management senior analyst William Curtayne said yesterday.

Genesis Energy, the last of the Government's electricity assets to be partially floated, could struggle to get support in a market likely to be flooded with new listings, Milford Asset Management senior adviser William Curtayne said yesterday.

Market watchers will have plenty to interest them when the United States Congress begins today (NZ time) what promises to be another year of combat and disagreement.

Economic activity provides a positive backdrop for equities, as economic growth this year (2014) is set to be very robust, Forsyth Barr broker Suzanne Kinnaird says.

The New Zealand dollar had a volatile 2013, reaching recent highs against both the Japanese Australian and United States currencies.

Business editor DeneMackenzie has reported on Jade, and its predecessors Aoraki and Linc, for a quarter of a century. During a recent visit to Christchurch, he caught up with chief executive David Lindsay for an update on the software company with port links around the world.

The looming prospect of Wall Street ending the year on a 15-year high is giving investors and traders plenty of optimism next year will continue the environment where stock values continue to rise.

Christchurch-based retailer Smiths City has reported a significantly improved profit for the six months ending October.

The New Zealand economy will grow strongly over the next couple of years, according to the latest NZIER consensus forecasts. Coming at the same time as the improved forecasts from the Treasury, it could be a good year ahead. Business editor Dene Mackenzie reviews the latest data.

New Zealand's September quarter GDP (gross domestic product) was not as strong as it looked but there was no denying the economy was gathering momentum, BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert said yesterday.