John Weekes
Senior Business Reporter
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and court.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has covered some of New Zealand and Queensland's most high-profile court cases and trials, as well as politics, breaking news and consumer affairs. He covered transport disasters at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and soon after reported on the Antarctic adventurer Busby Noble. John's work since has assisted abuse survivors, fraud victims and people suffering from rare illnesses. He rejoined the Herald in 2020, previously working at Stuff and News Corp, Australia.
Check out John’s latest content
Olivado liquidation: Seeka boss explains why they bought the company
New boss hopes to keep jobs, liquidator says claims still coming in.
Olivado owes more than $3 million, liquidators say
After oil company's troubles, demands made for 'unpaid debts'.
Burger demand fuels trade, US overtakes Australia to be NZ's second-biggest export partner
New Zealand recorded a rare trade surplus last month.
Seeka joins court action against oil company Olivado
One of the country’s biggest agribusinesses wants to see Olivado liquidated.
Avocado supplier in liquidation takes oil company to court
Oil company with colourful past set for court as liquidator cites tough times for growers.
Exports up, imports down as fruit trade with Europe booms
A leap in kiwifruit and apple exports helps narrow the trade deficit.
Diplomat says Russian attacks on ships, Ukraine farmers show need for NZ support
Machinations around oil and shipping as Ukraine faces tough winter.
Middle East conflict could impact NZ exporters
Many of NZ's friends are hostile or indifferent to Iran and its proxies, analyst says.
Power pylon problems: New line to Coromandel alone could cost $500m
The huge cost of new power lines to aid energy security is revealed after the debacle.
NZ exports reach all-time high in May
Surge in trade with US beefs up New Zealand's exports.
Marlin magic: NZ inventor’s lure wins fisherman US$1.7 million
A decades-long quest needed a Kiwi lure to land the fish of dreams.
Exports up, imports down in March - so should we be happy?
Imports take a tumble, kiwifruit and apples get country out of deficit.
Exports struggle to get good prices but NZ trade deficit still shrinks
Expensive imports gobble up some of our strong export volumes.
'Evil' inflation cooled slightly in third quarter
New inflation figure below most market expectations.
What is Prefu and why does it matter?
A nasty surprise spawned the Prefu, but today three big numbers may be crucial.
Falling food prices win one battle - but war on inflation goes on
On the path to lower inflation, a few nasty surprises could still trip us up.
Concerns Russian attacks could spark food price mayhem
“Some people can’t just sit down and watch it online or from a distance. They’re heroes."
Buried lead cables less risky than DIY, health expert says
Kiwis making bullets, sinkers, doing up old homes face lead poison risks.
'Walk away': Australia’s farmers rubbish NZ-Europe free trade deal
EU deals show globalisation is not dead - but some sectors ask what difference that makes.
Berry big deal: Steven Adams takes stake in Kiwi brain drink company
Curiosity got the Grizzly: Steven Adams takes a stake in Kiwi brain drink company.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Hawke’s Bay heartbreak, concerns some growers will quit
Terrible blow to workers, orchardists as fruit growers confront cyclone devastation.
Flood wrecks crops, shoppers could face more inflation
Piles of onions pepper Pukekohe roadside after deluge, shoppers could face more inflation.
‘Never seen rain like that’: Farmers assess damage, tonnes of crops possibly obliterated
After an already tough summer, major farming and growing regions assessing new damage.
Food price rises at 14-year high
Latest food price data shocker: How big a bite is inflation taking?
Kiwi exporter mega-survey highlights huge challenges but offers streak of hope
Our exporters are still tangling with Covid mayhem - but hope's on the horizon.
Bat-shipped crazy: Ecologist speculates on animal importers' motives
'Bizarre' dead bat shipment perplexes.
Fonterra Chile factory unclogged after protests
An ominous warning was issued to Fonterra - but protest seems to be resolved now.
Why annual food prices rose at the fastest rate in 13 years
Your food bill may contain traces of Putin, fuel costs and an 8-billion person question.
Cost of living bites: Fresh produce leaps 10 per cent
Cheesed off at food prices? Fear not, economist says, there's reason to be upbeat.
Oat milk makers get $6 million loan
People moo-ving on from dairy: Oat milk producer gets loan of up to $6 million.
'Open for business': NZ's borders fully reopen from July 31
Despite 'heavy clouds', Kiwis have cause to be optimistic.
1500 new meat, forestry, dairy workers could jet in
With meat industry hit and calving season approaching, hundreds more workers fast-tracked.
'Big boost week': Text and email alerts start today for 1m NZers
PM says Omicron is likely to accelerate quickly.
Exclusive: Opening the gates - border changes expected from this month
After Omicron delays plans, international borders set to reopen - for some.
Watch: Luxon says Govt snoozed in summer, now NZ loses
National Party says "Delta mindset" must go and urgent steps needed to protect vulnerable.
Mayors' coalition wants fresh talks on Three Waters
'We don't all have green slime, and frogs coming out of our taps.'
Stuart Nash: No apology to 'racist, anti-vax' elements at Groundswell protests
Nash says 'horrifying' post about his friend Mahuta means no backdown.
Truckies eyeing up alert level border jiggle
Private car owners' needless jaunts could jeopardise animal welfare, trucking group says.
Mass chicken deaths: MPI won't prosecute
No prosecution over mass chicken deaths: MPI says electrical failure to blame.
Feral rabbits could be shot as hunting dog gets invite
Pets to pests: Rabbits running rampant in Auckland Domain could be shot.
Mass chicken deaths referred to Crown lawyers
Death of nearly 200,000 animals referred to Crown Solicitor for any possible prosecution.
Body in the boot case: Man in court to face murder charge
A member of the public stood up in the courtroom and gazed intently at the accused man.
Goat slaughter in suburban Auckland ritual sacrifice sparks investigation
Un-billy-vable: Goat slaughter in suburbia sparks warning.
Chicken mass deaths saga takes off
Chicken deaths disaster: Animal welfare inspectors spread way too thin, legal expert says.
Formula threat: More resources pumped into investigation
Authorities are no closer to saying if the threat to poison baby formula with 1080 was a hoax, or who wrote the blackmail threats - even with 30 staff on the case.
Few had access to 1080 used in threats
Only a few people had authorised access to the 1080 poison most likely used in the baby-milk blackmail letters, says a food safety expert.
Fury over formula threat
Threats to contaminate infant formula with 1080 pesticide have been described as despicable and sick - but have caused more outrage than fear.
Cuts blamed for food poisoning fiasco
Angry growers are doubtful authorities will be able to prove the origins of the painful food poisoning outbreak as a consumer backlash against carrots and lettuce hits home.