Simon Hartley

The southern construction sector is looking strong in the years ahead, despite evidence of some softening in other regions around the country.

Synlait has lodged an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court over the removal of land covenants, which was later overturned by the Court of Appeal.

The three winners of the 2019 Startup Dunedin Challenger Series have been announced, with each getting $15,000 in business services and cash.

Three decades of entrepreneurial business in Dunedin has ended badly for identity Bjorn Oscar Sollie and his specialist Konig Gourmet Foods.

An easing in tourism has meant Otago's regional economic standing slipped from second place to fifth during the quarter to March, but positive momentum continues on several fronts.

Oceana Gold is seeking a High Court judicial review over a controversial decision by Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage last month, which declined a land purchase for expansion at its Waihi...

Gains in national average house values are waning in the face of winter, but regional areas continue to go from strength to strength, some still hitting double-digit growth.

More than 300 southern foresters attended the recent 2019 Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards in Dunedin, reflecting an emphasis on training and opportunities in the sector.

Consumer confidence continued to ease in May, sliding to a six-month low, although the reading was close to the historical average.

Port Otago begins its $2 million benching of Flagstaff Hill overlooking Port Chalmers next month, removing about 45,000sq m of rock and fill over about four months.

The shape of the economy and borrowing has economists concerned over the net debt situation building up with government borrowing rising by an extra $6billion.

Otago should be in for a fair slice of this year's Budget, from business capital funding initiatives through to infrastructure spending.

Businesses will get a boost from access to a new $300million venture capital fund and a further $157million innovation fund, the latter to assist with creating high-value, low-emissions products.

Port Otago has given the University of Otago a slice of wharf-side land in the upper harbour, effectively laying a foundation for future development around the Steamer Basin.

The immediate future of fossil-laden Foulden Maar in Middlemarch appears secure.

The extractive mining industry has to work hard in gaining its ''social licence'' from communities, as the latter demands more action on climate change from big business.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels was the theme of the final debate at this week's annual Minerals Forum hosted in Dunedin, but in a measured way, so as not to harm the economy.

Dunedin bladder cancer diagnostic company Pacific Edge has reined in its annual loss to $17.9million, for its trading year to March.

New technology in the mining sector might be the answer to transitioning away from fossil fuel use, but the industry is coming under increasing scrutiny to deliver.