Dene Mackenzie

Control of one of New Zealand's most well-known manufacturing companies, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, has passed into the control of Chinese-based Haier.

Labour leader David Shearer yesterday advocated a return to government intervention in the job market, including adopting a "one in a million" target for government contracts.

Claims yesterday by Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee that job availability was good both in Christchurch and the rest of New Zealand were only partially borne out with the release of the ANZ Job Ads series.

Inflation is expected to have remained at the bottom of the Reserve Bank's target policy range of 1% to 3% in the year ended September but prices in the September quarter are known to have risen.

Finance Minister Bill English remains focused on getting the government accounts back to surplus by 2014-15 but the target remains a challenge.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances shareholders are facing a dilemma about whether or not to accept the takeover offer by Haier Group.

The rebuilding of Christchurch is spurring positive hiring intentions in the South Island, the latest Hudson report on employment trends says.

The Co-operative Bank has been around in various forms since 1928. But since changing its name from PSIS, the bank is pushing into a wider area of banking and client base. Business editor Dene Mackenzie talks to new chief executive Bruce McLachlan.

Moa Group is forecasting a loss of about $3.6 million for the year ended March 2013, as it yesterday confirmed it was proceeding with an issue of shares to raise $15 million in an initial public offering.

Finance Minister Bill English got to tell half a good economic news story yesterday, when the Government accounts showed a significant fall in the operating deficit before gains and losses.

The Government aimed straight at middle New Zealand yesterday, announcing a starting-out wage it says will help young, inexperienced people into jobs.

No matter how you were feeling yesterday, there was a business survey which would have matched your mood.

Quantitative easing is being promoted as the way out of New Zealand's economic woes caused by the high kiwi. Business editor Dene Mackenzie looks at the consequences of printing money.

Retail banks continue to compete for customers this week with under-fire ANZ extending its $2000 cash offer for new home lending.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters last night pushed his party's case for changes to the Reserve Bank Act, which he said would give the central bank flexibility to support growth, employment and exporters.