Wellington Business Editor
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Supermarkets on notice: Govt seeks swift progress
David Clark hints at stiff action if supermarket behaviour does not change.
Hamish Rutherford: Final supermarket report a major backdown from ComCom
Final report is a far cry from the sweeping measures mooted last year.
ComCom's final supermarket report - competition 'muted'; what's needed for lower prices
Competition watchdog releases final report into major sector.
Hamish Rutherford: Supermarket study - has watchdog stuck to its guns?
OPINION: As the cost of living climbs, will the competition watchdog push for change?
Blunt warning: Govt told new lending rules would hurt first-home buyers
Banks sent blunt warning that new lending laws would make banks more conservative.
'Slow' Reserve Bank raises recession risk
Central bank faces unusual criticism of being too slow to move by former acting governor.
Covid support payments broadened after warnings
After warnings most businesses would not qualify, Government broadens Covid support.
Businesses confused, disappointed by Covid support
Businesses complain support payment criteria is contradictory, thresholds too tight.
Reserve Bank sets up market for double hike
Reserve Bank narrowly decided against the biggest hike since 2000, but it could come soon.
Meridian's blunt demands to Rio Tinto - commit long term or leave
Meridian Energy says it wants a long-term commitment from Rio Tinto.
Meridian reports flat half-year earnings
New Zealand's largest electricity generator hit by lower revenue from Tiwai Point smelter.
Kiwibank review: Jarden makes move for Kiwi Wealth
Investment bank understood to have approached Kiwibank and its advisers
Hamish Rutherford: Is Kiwibank really for sale?
If the Government buys into Kiwi Group, its commercial funds may have good reason to exit.
National closes gap on Labour in new poll
New poll shows National within four points of Labour, and its leader gaining popularity.
Public interest journalism fund 'beauty contest'
Independent report says $55m fund risks protecting incumbents from new entrants.
Contact Energy expected to report strong earnings, amid wholesale pricing questions
Contact Energy set to report strong earnings, amid signs of more high wholesale prices.
Govt raising minimum wage to $21.20
Government hiking minimum wage and starting out wage from April 1.
Kiwibank up for grabs? Govt launches ownership review
Finance Minister confirms how Kiwibank's parent is owned is being reviewed.
America's Cup stoush heats up: Multi-millionaire's challenge to Dalton
Businessman challenges Team NZ over funding dispute, offers to pay for budget audit.
Hamish Rutherford: David Clark digs in over lending laws
Commerce Minister's defence of lending rules ignore the strain they are causing.
Govt to review controversial mortgage lending rules
David Clark claims responsible lending rules weren't being followed by banks.
The billion-dollar letter Infratil thought was a joke
Former Infratil chief executive doubted blockbuster Aussie takeover attempt was serious.
Low NZ unemployment should boost wage pressures
Low unemployment pushing wages up, but not expected to outstrip inflation.
Hamish Rutherford: Inflation heightens dilemma for Reserve Bank
The Reserve Bank may be forced to raise interest rates even if house prices are dropping.
Inflation fears stoked by domestic pressures
Inflation hits highest level since 1990 with domestic pressures surprising economists.
'Really worried': National leader reacts as NZ inflation hits 30-year high
Cost of living rising at the fastest pace since 1990, Statistics New Zealand says.
House prices 'most vulnerable in a long time'
Investment adviser says analysts will not be shocked by 'meaningful' fall in prices.
ANZ predicts 'painful' rise in interest rates
NZ's largest bank sharply increases its forecasts for how far interest rates will rise.
Hamish Rutherford: Credit crackdown - did Govt ignore warning signs?
A consumer lending probe will not avoid awkward questions for minister and his advisors.
'Peculiar lack of ego': The understated Kiwi boss who led a revolution at $20b business
From humble beginnings, 'visionary' has led Morrison & Co to world-leading investor.
Meet the lobbyists: The powerful few trying to influence the Govt
Money, power and prestige: New Zealand's top lobbyists revealed
'Horrendous compliance': Experts slam new IRD rules for bach owners
If the rules stand, they could create "horrendous" compliance requirements, says expert.
Retired judge issues blunt America's Cup warning to squadron
Fresh legal warnings for RNZYS if it tries to take the America's Cup offshore.
Silver Lake saga: Phoenix boss' warning for NZ Rugby
A-League club's chairman says blocking private equity deal risks harming game.
RBNZ staff turnover 'unfortunate but normal': chairman
Chairman of central bank backs governor amid questions over leadership and turnover.
Business heroes: The low key visionary who reshaped Morrison & Co
The low key reform of a New Zealand-focused asset manager into a global leader.
'Unlawful and out of step': Big blow for Government's fair pay plans
BusinessNZ refuses central role in fair pay agreements, suggesting further delays.
Hamish Rutherford: The truth about most 'small' electricity companies
The new name in electricity retailing is not quite what it seems.
RNZYS members seek to pull vote over cup venue following Dalton's 'collapse' warnings
Group pulls vote on Am Cup venue citing Dalton's warnings that team could be liquidated.
Residential boosts construction pipeline
MBIE forecasts show construction sector bounced back from Covid-19 and tipped to grow.
Dalton claims Team NZ could collapse if Cup held in Auckland
Grant Dalton threatens Team New Zealand could collapse unless it is taken offshore.
Hamish Rutherford: Do the rich only get richer?
IRD study is looking into how the rich get rich, but excludes some who have got poorer.
August power cuts 'need not have happened'
Review finds power cuts to more than 34,000 homes should never have happened.
RNZYS 'parroting' Team NZ: Mark Dunphy
Rebel members force RNZYS to put vote on Am Cup venue to members, despite reservations.
Hamish Rutherford: Robertson digs in over SailGP comments
OPINION: Sports Minister seems more concerned about being right than being truthful.
Meridian sells Australian business for $750 million
New Zealand's largest electricity generator to book big profit from sale of Aussie unit.
Lack of guidance on lease changes sees landlords 'fill the void'
Sick of chasing officials for advice on law changes, Property Council publishes its own.
Plexure shares sink as company concedes expensive growth push failed
Mobile technology company announces structural review after losses grow.
RNZYS members demand vote on America's Cup venue
Lawyer says petition already has enough members to require a special meeting of RNZYS.
Revealed: Govt-backed Venture fund's staff severance costs
Venture fund, given hundreds of millions for investment, pays out heavily on staff exits.
Infratil pumps interest in US renewables
Investment fund reports record half-year results but hints at undervaluation of US unit.
Tim Brown, the 'face and voice of Infratil' to retire
Wellington Airport chairman and public face of Infratil announces retirement.
Tilt sale boosts Infratil result
Infratil reports its biggest half-year surplus following sale of renewables business Tilt.
Astoria cafe to keep name after makeover
Well known gossip spot to be reinvented more than a year after it closed in 2020.
Dunphy urges squadron members to pressure exec over America's Cup
Magnate says Auckland should be named as next venue when protocol is announced next week.
Lawyers slam 'intrusive' new Inland Revenue power
Law Society wrote scathing letter to Attorney General about rushed tax law change.
Apec 2021: An authentic Kiwi experience
The 'new normal' has allowed Abac to run an ambitious programme.
Law firms pitch to challenge IRD wealth project
Wealthy Kiwis targeted by IRD project seek legal pitches for possible court fight.
Infrastructure group Ventia could hit NZX this month
Infrastructure giant Ventia lays out plan to list on both sides of the Tasman this month.
Blame game: Electricity Authority finds a problem it can't fix
EA shows that if all else fails, you can always blame the aluminium smelter.
The $500m subsidy pushing up your power bill by $200 a year
Deal to keep smelter open could be costing every household in New Zealand $200 a year.
Former Team NZ director will sue if Cup goes to Saudi
QC invokes court action that stopped ABs' tour of South Africa in possible Cup challenge.
The $20m question: IRD wants answers from rich Kiwis - and their partners
IRD wants information and will check answers against spouses.
Lease law changes could be further backdated
Labour and Green MPs recommend little change to controversial lease law changes.
Covid-19: Labs say ministry should contract, not commandeer
Testing companies say giving ministry requisition powers will mean less investment.
Two polls have Act close to National
Second poll this week shows Act just 6 points behind National, with Labour well ahead.
New poll shows Act closing on National, Seymour's support surges
Polling company has Act and David Seymour hitting new highs in monthly poll.
Hamish Rutherford: Why Govt is the biggest winner of the booming housing market
Government accounts show a massive boost from rising asset prices and consumer spending.
Fuel giant Z Energy set for $2b Aussie takeover
Owner of Z and Caltex petrol stations recommends shareholders accept Aussie takeover bid.
'Progress', but no timeline for rapid testing pilot
Government claims "progress" on rapid testing, but still no details of business pilot.
FMA boss to head NZGCP
Former FMA boss likely to be new CEO of government-backed venture fund.
Govt's secret commercial rent move: Law society disputes minister's statement
Top QC calls on Justice Minister to withdraw a statement he made about lease law changes.
Lease changes will mean less support for small retailers, warns property boss
Landlord warns commercial rent laws will see support go to companies suffering no losses.
Commercial rent relief changes driven by anecdotal discussions with lawyers
Changes to Property Law Act go significantly further than abandoned 2020 proposals.
Business groups left confused by road map
Employer groups say road map offers few rewards or incentives for businesses.
Business groups: Keeping Auckland border shut 'not an option'
Those with double jab and negative test should be allowed to travel, business groups say.
Were commercial rent changes dreamed up this week?
Retail NZ believed letter from Kris Faafoi showed calls for help had been "dismissed".
Property giants say they've given $320m in rent relief
Property giants claim they have given major rent concessions in plea for lease law tweak.
Hamish Rutherford: 'A couple of holdouts' does not justify Government by fiat
OPINION: With little evidence of a problem, Labour's lease move leaves everyone surprised.
Property industry blindsided by commercial lease changes
Landlords face arbitration if they cannot agree 'fair proportion' of rent with tenants.