Simon Hartley

The Reserve Bank has the scope to cut the interest-driving official cash rate (OCR) further, but it is unclear if those cuts will be passed on to lenders.

A little-known Dunedin medical company celebrated the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Molteno glaucoma drainage implant this month, an implant which has changed thousands of lives worldwide since the mid-1960s. ODT former health reporter and now senior business reporter Simon Hartley profiles the family company Molteno Ophthalmic Ltd.

The country's official cash rate (OCR) could well be below 2% by the end of the year, as the Reserve Bank has reaffirmed meeting its inflation target range of 1%-3% is its primary focus.

One  of Southern Discoveries' "red boats'', the Spirit of Milford, is preparing to leave Dunedin after more than 10 weeks in the upper harbour for its annual survey and some refurbishment.

Port Otago is going to put out tenders shortly in preparation for a $15 million 140m wharf extension at Port Chalmers, to better accommodate vessels over 280m in length.

The Reserve Bank has fired more shots across the bows of housing sector investors, applying a new requirement of fronting up with a 40% deposit countrywide.

The first of two new oil tankers begins service this month in the North Island, to deliver refined petroleum around the country and its maiden visit to Dunedin is pencilled in for early next month.

A near 35% increase in the countrywide 2016 grape harvest could buoy the wine industry's exports to the tune of $1.7 billion by the end of next year.

A consultation period is under way for a payout estimated at $20 million or more to hundreds of workers at Bluff's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

The University of Otago has appointed social scientist Prof Robin Gauld as the next dean of its Otago Business School.

Record prices continue to dominate monthly housing data, with Central Otago Lakes' $730,000 median price and Otago's $295,000 among the top five record prices struck across the country for June.

Sometimes with safety products it can be the simplicity that clinches the deal.

Larger container ships are not on the horizon for Port Otago soon, but shipping giant Maersk says it remains an option, dependent on volumes and customer demand.

Central Otago is now the country's least affordable housing area, even displacing Auckland, according to Massey University's quarterly survey to June.

Low interest rates and windfalls from escalating house prices have household debt sitting at higher levels than before the 2007-08 global financial crisis, highlighting the economy's vulnerability to unfavourable changes.