Dene Mackenzie

The Otago-Southland services industries, by and large, had a busy September with the Performance of Services Index (PSI) rising more than three points in the month to 57.1.

Small  businesses are showing more confidence in the economy heading into summer, the ANZ Business Micro Scope says.

Hawaiki Cable chief executive Remi Galasso says a significant milestone has been reached with the start of system manufacturing.

Manufacturing  has remained solidly in expansion in nearly all months since October 2012, ManufacturingNZ executive director Catherine Beard says.

Otago-owned franchises of national chains, along with some new entries, are a feature of the 2016 Otago Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Air New Zealand passenger numbers continued to rise in September and the airline carried  1.5 million passengers in the month, a 4.7% rise on the corresponding month last year.

Inflation is likely to have been close to zero in the three months ending September, taking annual inflation to 0.1%.

The Scenic Hotel Group is planning a five-star hotel in Dunedin but the company will not reveal where it will build the $34 million 120-room hotel, or its height.

The regions are leading the charge when it comes to job advertisements and growth outside the main centres  remains extremely strong.

The New Zealand dollar rose from a 10-month low yesterday  and  BNZ currency strategist Jason Wong says it will stay at about this level for the rest of the year.

The Government has found itself in a prime position a year out from the general election as the Crown accounts boast a surplus of $1.8 billion for the year ended June.

The expected Crown surplus of about $670million for the year ended June gives New Zealand some ''real options'' on financial stimulus, BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert says.

Chorus provided a timely reminder yesterday it continued to run a construction business alongside its provision of fixed-line telecommunication services.

KiwiSaver is reaching a new phase as members realise they need to take more interest in their investments as their balances grow, Forsyth Barr superannuation specialist Damian Foster says.

Angel investor Bill Murphy is seeking more angel investors in the South, hoping his recent visit to Dunedin will spark more interest in supporting young entrepreneurs.

The Green Party is calling on the Government to hold the line in the face of foreign trust lobbying to water down new foreign trust disclosure reforms.

The price of petrol rose in New Zealand this week as oil prices started to rise following the draw down of United State crude inventory supplies.