A multi-million dollar project to inject new life into the city's ailing marine refit industry is on the verge of overcoming major financial hurdles.

Rob Jeffrey was an understandably proud parent when he joined sons Grant and Craig and their team as they picked up the top award for family-owned company Kiwifruitz.

Pressure is mounting on Air New Zealand to lower its fares in and out of Tauranga.

Alan Clarke writes: The average New Zealand houseland has about $400,000 in housing (March 2014). Kiwis just love houses and put all their money into them.

Jeremy Tauri writes: As of this year, it's become a lot easier for the average investor to put their money into high-risk, high-return start-ups and small personal loans.

New Zealand has signed a free trade agreement with Korea - delivering good news for kiwifruit growers but with a big compromise over milk powder.

Paul Bowker first made his name in his adopted city of Tauranga by completing the landmark redevelopment of the old Tauranga Club into Hotel on Devonport/Devonport Towers in 2004.

Home improvements provided the go-forward in an otherwise unspectacular set of building approvals handled by the Tauranga City Council last month.

The core business of a bank is to gather up funds from investors to lend to borrowers, writes Liz Koh.