Star Business

Christmas trees at Needle Fresh. Photo: Supplied / Andrew McAllister

Why is the cost of a Christmas tree rising?

It is still possible to get a cheaper Christmas tree, but they will be lower quality, says Andrew McAllister from the Needle Fresh Christmas Tree farm in Christchurch.

35-room mansion on the market

A 35-room limestone mansion in the Waitaki Valley is officially on the market again.

New ChristchurchNZ chair appointed

New ChristchurchNZ chair appointed

Lauren Quaintance has been appointed the new chair of the ChristchurchNZ board for the next three years.

Cherry dog treat business breaks into US market

Snow (John) Newlands and Cookie the dog outside the Radical Dog factory on the Newlands family’s...

Cherry dog treat business breaks into US market

Entering the United States market is the cherry on top for a North Otago farming family who diversified their traditional farming operation to include dog treats.

Hairdresser masters the art of small talk

Award-winning young Christchurch hairdresser masters the art of small talk

Georgia Winchester never tires of talking about the weather, but she’s not a meteorologist - she’s a hairdresser on Manchester St.

Big solar power company goes into liquidation

SolarZero directors say the company explored a range of options for a restructure, but were...

Big solar power company goes into liquidation

A nationwide solar power company that was founded in Christchurch has been put into liquidation, leaving some customers worried about the contracts they have signed with the business.

OCR cut to 4.25 percent

The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points to a two year low of 4.25 percent.

Sam's Rocks a ground-breaking business

Sam Cook is turning his love of rocks into a small business. Photo: Supplied

Sam's Rocks a ground-breaking business

While most kids might outgrow their fascination with treasure hunting, a Halswell 7-year-old is turning his passion for stones into a budding small business.

Christchurch shopping mall sold to developer

A family-owned Christchurch shopping centre has been sold to a local investor who plans to refurbish it.

Car dealer pockets customer’s $15k refund

Christopher Schwartz from iSeeCars Ltd in Christchurch. Photo: Supplied

Car dealer pockets customer’s $15k refund, sends them pictures of poo instead

A “surreal” dispute with a Christchurch car dealer has ended with a couple being sent pictures of a faeces-splattered toilet and car seat after they took him to a tribunal to get a refund for a vehicle they never received.

What is the future of cash?

Competition in the sector meant operators in the industry were wary to increase menu prices but...

What is the future of cash?

Australia will require some shops selling essential items to accept cash from 2026, and the Reserve Bank is not ruling out a policy response to safeguard cash in New Zealand.

Truck driver applied for another job before death

Truck driver applied for another job over safety concerns before he died in workplace accident

A Coroner has found a South Island Sollys Freight truck driver who died in a workplace accident was so concerned about safety standards he had applied for another job.

Taxi drivers’ airport toilet dilemma

The toilet unit is used by hundreds of people multiple times a day. Photo: Supplied

Taxi drivers' Christchurch Airport toilet dilemma

The taxi queue isn’t the only thing backed up at a Christchurch Airport car park.

Foodstuffs to fight for merger

Foodstuffs to keep fighting to merge North and South Island cooperatives

Foodstuffs will continue fighting to merge its North and South Island cooperatives beyond the outcome of its appeal against the decision to block the plan.

What can you buy for $1?

Three dried apricots cost $1. Photo: Matthew Hutching / RNZ

What can you buy for $1?

Twenty years ago $1 could buy you a litre of petrol, half a block of butter or a sizeable bag of mixed lollies from the dairy. These days, you might get three dried apricots or an apple if you're lucky.