Dene Mackenzie

Today officially heralds the start of the Christmas party season - and new dangers now lurk beyond the traditional overindulgence on alcohol and the personal safety of employees.

December is upon us and as the pace winds up before Christmas, economists remain divided about whether we face a double-dip recession or an upbeat holiday season outlook.

The Serious Fraud Office said yesterday it had been conducting an investigation into Hanover Finance for the past three months and it had reasonable grounds to believe fraud might have been committed.

Brothers David and Ben Clark will be on the campaign trail together for the Labour Party from tonight when Ben is confirmed as the Labour candidate for North Shore.

Tax changes being introduced by the Government will add to the frustration taxpayers feel when they enter into a dispute with Inland Revenue, Polson Higgs tax partner Michael Turner says.

The Emerson Brewing Company was last night named as the Westpac Supreme Business Excellence Award winner at a black-tie function in Dunedin attended by about 330 people.

The contribution Otago businessman John Gilks has made to the city of Dunedin was recognised last night before an audience of 330 of his peers.

Secured creditors of Pike River Coal have agreed to a standstill period of 90 days to give the company time to deal with the tragedy at its underground mine where 29 miners have died.

World financial markets quickly shrugged off the Korean conflict, which started on Tuesday with a North Korean artillery attack on a South Korean island.

Employer representatives see the latest change to employment law as fair and balanced but union representatives are still condemning what they see as a trampling of workers' rights.

The Australian banking system remained competitive but future earnings could be affected by recent negative comments and inquiries, Craigs Investments Partner Chris Timms said yesterday.