Dene Mackenzie

The unprecedented growth in customer numbers by mobile operator 2degrees could have a major effect on listed telecommunications company Telecom, sharebrokers say.

Twenty teams of enthusiastic students vied in Auckland on Tuesday to win the Microsoft Imagine Cup by using technology to solve some of the world's toughest problems. Business editor Dene Mackenzie was among the action.

The Government has failed the test of openness and transparency when it comes to dealing with the failure of South Canterbury Finance, a failure which could yet cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.

New Zealanders will not be disconnected from the internet even if they are found guilty of breaching the new copyright legislation, Labour Party communications and IT spokeswoman Clare Curran says.

The stalling of manufacturing activity in the South Island last month was understandable, as it was the first survey since February's earthquake in Christchurch, BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert said yesterday.

Allied Farmers shareholders face more economic pain as the company finds selling assets harder than expected.

Any purchase of AMI Insurance by another New Zealand-based insurer would need Commerce Commission approval, to ensure competitiveness remained in the market.

Labour Party Dunedin North candidate David Clark is under no illusions about his political future. To become an MP he has to win the electorate as he cannot rely on getting in on the list.

European financial difficulties will be the focus of markets this week as the "no" vote looked set yesterday to win Iceland's referendum to repay Britain and the Netherlands money from a bank crash.

Dene Mackenzie reviews a selection of thrillers.

Auckland is set to dominate the New Zealand housing market statistics this year after missing out somewhat on the boom in the early 2000s, BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander says.

AMI relied too heavily on the Earthquake Commission to cover a higher proportion of its risks than other major insurers, Dunedin insurance broker Peter Taylor said yesterday.

Insurance companies and the Insurance Council rushed to calm the fears of policyholders yesterday after an announcement the Government was providing a $500 million last-resort support package to AMI Insurance.