Dene Mackenzie

Apple has sailed into what has been, in recent years, uncharted territory for the world's largest company, Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms says.

A programme to redress the massive shortage of New Zealand IT professionals will be soon launched in Dunedin high schools, Institute of IT Professionals chief executive Paul Matthews announced this week.

New Zealand's exports surged in June, contributing to a strong monthly trade surplus of $331 million compared to market expectations of a $134 million surplus.

Financial institutions were being a "bit precious" about being shut out of the loyalty bonus scheme for shareholders in state-owned enterprises, Dunedin financial adviser Peter Smith said yesterday.

Dunedin North MP David Clark remains confident his Bill to Monday-ise Waitangi and Anzac Days should they fall at a weekend will pass its first vote tomorrow.

Low interest rates are expected to continue until at least July next year as inflation stays benign, Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says.

New Zealand's housing market is over-valued and being unduly propped up by extremely low interest rates, BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert says.

Chinese inflation hit a 29-month low in June but still people are complaining about the rising costs of food and high housing prices. Business editor Dene Mackenzie was in China last week and reports on the economic situation of New Zealand's second-largest trading partner.

New Zealand's unemployment rate is set to hover around 6.5% for the next six months, judging from data from the ANZ Job Ads series released yesterday.

Shower and tapware maker Methven moved yesterday to reinforce investor confidence in the company growing by introducing performance-based fee increases for directors.

Acton Smith used his last speech as chairman of SBS Bank to pay tribute to the "Ginger Group" of close friends that came together in 1991 to save the building society from being taken over by Westpac.

A significant milestone will be recognised when SBS Bank holds its annual meeting in Invercargill this afternoon. Acton Smith, who has been on the board for 21 years, the past 18 as chairman, will retire from it. Business editor Dene Mackenzie spoke to Mr Smith.

Protests and street rallies against state-owned assets sales are likely to re-emerge later this year as the petition opposing the sales gets close to the threshold for a referendum.

Auckland International Airport has continued its business plan of attracting new visitors to New Zealand by announcing Hawaiian Airlines will start flying into the country next year.