Dene Mackenzie

A strong increase in fuel spending helped push up new Zealanders' plastic card expenditure last month.

The innovative and market leading intellectual property and technology owned by Fisher and Paykel Appliances will be in the sights of Haier as it contemplates a takeover bid, Craigs Investment Partners broker Greg Easton says.

The value of the New Zealand dollar is again causing concern, with predictions it could reach US90c in value within 12 months to 18 months; ringing alarm bells for manufacturers.

Mass redundancies in New Zealand were becoming an all too familiar pattern, EPMU national secretary Bill Newson said yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key unexpectedly announced this week that the initial public offering of Mighty River Power would not proceed until the second quarter of next year. Business editor Dene Mackenzie looks at the implications.

The loss of a further 65 jobs from the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter was a major blow to Invercargill but only the tip of the iceberg, EPMU director of organising Alan Clarence said yesterday.

The new ACC board has been welcomed by BusinessNZ, with chief executive Phil O'Reilly hoping the debate will restart about competition for the corporation.

Fund Managers Otago chairman John Farry is reassuring investors that the manager and trustees are working on a proposal to provide a positive long-term future for unit holders.

Insurance and financial services Tower spooked investors yesterday with its concerns its reinsurance cover could be exceeded by ongoing claims from the Christchurch earthquakes.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept its official cash rate unchanged at 3.5% and governor Glenn Stevens says growth in the world economy has softened since the early months of the year.

The securing by Cookie Time of 20-year patent protection of a new class of food and beverage the Christchurch-based company created is a major achievement, Dunedin IP specialist lawyer Sally Peart says.

New Zealand's terms of trade are expected to fall further during the next six months, largely reflecting the lagged adjustment of export prices after falls already seen in spot prices.

Gen-i chief executive Chris Quin has had his hands full recently as acting head of Telecom following the recent departure of Paul Reynolds. With Simon Moutter now at the helm of Telecom, Mr Quin talks to business editor Dene Mackenzie about Gen-i and its place in the scheme of things.

The term for the June financial reporting year is "normalised earnings" as companies emerging from a global credit crunch try and impress shareholders with good numbers. Business editor Dene Mackenzie explains.

Auckland International Airport showed its confidence in the future by changing its dividend policy so that in future, 100% of its reported profit will be paid out to shareholders.

Air New Zealand shares rose to a nine-month high after the national carrier, earmarked for an eventual Government sell-down, beat estimates and forecast earnings to more than double next year.