Hamish Rutherford
Wellington Business Editor
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.
Check out Hamish’s latest content
Sanford welcomes Ngai Tahu as its largest holder
Brokers at Craigs said to be buying shares in seafood company on behalf of Ngai Tahu.
The big kiwifruit opportunity that went bad - family and friends lose tens of millions
An ambitious Chinese kiwifruit venture has cost investors tens of millions of dollars.
Meridian profit hit by low lake levels
Electricity retailer increases retail sales but low hydro inflows cut profits.
Supermarkets face 'their Telecom moment'
Food & Grocery Council welcomes report showing excessive profits among supermarkets.
Takeovers Panel probes kiwifruit firm Global Hort
Takeovers Panel investigating Wellington Kiwifruit company with illustrious backers.
Record aluminium prices could see potline four at Tiwai Pt reopen
Economics of aluminium smelting are currently 'mind-blowing', analyst claims.
Wetland rules 'have gone too far', Parker admits
Minister says difficulty fixing wetland problem underlines why RMA needs changing.
Developers warn septic tank overflow now classed as wetland, hurting housing supply
New rules capture farm tracks as wetlands.
Rio Tinto's apology to Southland town
Mining giant and Government reach deal to remove contaminated waste from smelter site.
Tiwai Point smelter boss leaving to join Mercury
Smelter boss led tense negotiations over power and transmission under threat of closure.
Tiwai Point smelter clean-up cost rising
Smelter's owners will raise provision for clean-up after audit finds more waste on site.
Rio Tinto faces 'investor backlash': Treasury
Documents obtained under OIA reveal concerns about $290m clean-up obligations.
Inside Story: How Govt planned to directly subsidise Rio Tinto's transmission costs
Officials warned there was no way to smooth smelter's departure than a taxpayer payment.
Mercury doubles down in $3 billion takeover bid for Tilt
Takeover bid sees wind farm developer's value almost double in three months.
'End of an era' as NZOG drops final South Island oil permit
Touted as a 'new North Sea', Great South Basin destined to never produce a barrel of oil.
Govt suspends talks with Rio Tinto over Tiwai Point clean-up
Government halts talks until owners provide more detail about clean up plans.
Climate report: Renewable, but not quite clean
Climate report could pose awkward questions for New Zealand's newest power station.
Government 'left blind' on Tiwai Point
Minister commissions clean-up study, casting doubt on Rio Tinto's own assessments.
Tiwai fallout: What the deal means for power prices, politicians and investors?
Few questions hang over New Zealand's economy quite like Tiwai Point's future.
Power deal reached: Tiwai life extended to 2024
Threats by mining giant to close led to months of negotiations over Southland plant.
National would 'strike Tiwai deal'
Opposition signals it would press Transpower to cut transmission price to smelter.
FMG defends reinsurance cover
Industry veteran had questioned prudence of mutual in public push for board position.
Meridian offer on table, but expects closure
Meridian expects smelter to close in a year, but says four year deal still on the table.
Rio says 'no current plans' to reopen Tiwai potline
Speculation that potline closed during Covid-19 lockdown could be opened in September.
Auditor-General says public deserves a proper assessment of PGF
Government pressed to assess whether the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund was worth it.
Smelter closure: 'A blow for the people of Southland' - Robertson
This comes after a strategic review of the business.
Govt reveals first of $3b 'shovel ready' projects
Government announces funding for social housing, court upgrades and rugby stadiums.
MP: 'Political element' to son's treatment by Fonterra
Fonterra says the issue could have been handled better
Trade Minister accuses EU of protectionism
Trade Minister accused European Union of protectionism after details of offer leaked.
Covid-19 could make NZ's economy more dependent on China - expert
MPs set to hear from Reserve Bank boss and trade experts about impact of Covid-19.
Tiwai Point reduces production in response to virus
Smelter says it is closing one of its four lines amid Covid-19 restrictions.
Coronavirus: Potential $300 million hit to exports
Early unofficial figures show significant hit to forestry, meat and seafood exports.
BNZ sees risk of recession from drought, virus
BNZ sees risk of a recession from drought and coronavirus. ANZ says the risks are rising.
'Extreme nervousness': CentrePort braces for slowdown from coronavirus
Port veteran says exporters are more nervous than they were about Sars or Asian crisis.
Bankers spruik Tiwai, as analysts predict smelter will be sold
Rio Tinto would be better off paying someone $200m to take Tiwai Pt smelter off it.
Housing boost for urban confidence
Most parts of New Zealand more confident, especially the big cities.
The man with OMV's half-billion bit between his teeth
Critics call it reckless, but do we need oil exploration more than we may care to admit?
Warning: Why electricity prices could increase
Analyst warns gas supply problems could hit industry and push up energy prices.
Gisborne family firm does deal with $2.6 trillion Saudi oil giant
Family-owned company secures largest ever deal with world's largest oil producer.
Smelter asks Government for transmission relief
Government seeks advice on smelters request for lower transmission pricing.
Meridian 'has made offer' to smelter
Meridian had offered smelter owners a better deal before threat of closure was raised.
Power bill drop from smelter closing 'uncertain' - Treasury
Closure of aluminium smelter will reduce emissions but also put off clean investment.
Taranaki oil producer 'may be insolvent'
Taranaki arm of Malaysian company suspends payments to creditors.
Power play: Rio Tinto and the smelter that plays wolf
Smelter's claim of precarious position is undermined by how often it has done this before.
Tiwai Pt smelter needs 'tens of millions'
Smelter says it needs major reduction in energy costs, warning the Government not to wait.