Neal Wallace

Another period of strong economic growth has Otago well set up for the coming year, says Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie.

Alliance Group shareholders have reacted favourably to the first day of meetings with company directors to discuss the creation of a meat super group.

Evidence is growing of an economic slowdown, with the New Zealand dollar yesterday reaching a post-float high of US81c and commentators warning it could exceed US85c by the end of the year.

The benefits of an improved half-year performance by Skycity casinos was eroded by a $60 million write-down of its cinema operations, which saw the entertainment company report a 97% fall in net profit.

The man advocating a meat industry merger says he is disappointed the proposal has become politicised just one week after the concept was released.

Fonterra says its capital restructuring proposal is still alive despite the axing in May of the first of two votes on changes to the company's structure while it extends consultation with shareholders.

Get on with it was the overwhelming view of sheep farmers spoken to at the Southern Field Days in Gore yesterday about moves to create a mega meat-company.

Invercargill meat company Alliance Group will seek a shareholder mandate to initiate the restructuring of the meat industry along similar lines to the dairy sector.