Dene Mackenzie

Some Xero shareholders took the opportunity to make some profit on their investments after the market darling reported a loss of $17.1 million for the six months ended September.

The usual pre-Christmas trend of hiring temporary office staff from now until February has been delayed, and Select Recruitment managing director Karen Bardwell is concerned it may not eventuate.

Air New Zealand shares will resume trading this morning after the Government last night completed the sale of a further 20% of the national carrier at $1.65 a share.

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran has been accused of political grandstanding in her comments about Air New Zealand flights through Dunedin being under threat as the Government further sells down its stake in the national carrier.

Dunedin brokers are reporting subdued demand for the Air New Zealand shares freed up yesterday by the Government's decision to sell down another 20% of its holding.

The United States Federal Reserve will again be the centre of attention with investors excited by the prospect of extended stimulus by the central bank.

ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman spent a day on a Dipton dairy farm last week learning how the multimillion-dollar business is run. Later, she spoke at a function in Dunedin and met ASB customers. She explained to business editor Dene Mackenzie why getting out of the Auckland headquarters is important.

To appreciate the latest James Bond book, it pays to think Roger Moore.

The Government has a golden opportunity to sell down its stake in national carrier Air New Zealand but it must act quickly to maximise the sale proceeds.

Political uncertainties remain over Sky City Entertainment's deal to build a convention centre in exchange for an increased number of pokies, Forsyth Barr broker Suzanne Kinnaird said yesterday.

The Reserve Bank governor, Graeme Wheeler, will today provide his assessment on the loan-to-value rules introduced on October 1 with the express purpose of dampening down New Zealand's housing market.

Telecom and Vodafone are both promoting their new 4G high-speed data networks but the experience will remain elusive in the South for a while yet.