Latest from Best of Business Analysis

Brian Gaynor: Auckland lacking apartments

One of the main differences between Auckland and the three major East Coast Australian cities is the huge number of apartments.

Brian Fallow: Productivity stats get a nudge

A more cheerful picture of productivity growth than the official statistics give us emerges from new research into what has been happening at the level of individual firms.

John Drinnan: Little light on illicit movie sales

The Mt Wellington movie pirating operation shut down by Hollywood studios was run by a New Zealand representative sportsman.

Robyn Pearce: Are you too available?

Robyn Pearce talks about the effects of being too available. "Many go home every night frustrated by the myriad interruptions that block them from attending to their real work."

Fran O'Sullivan: Andrew Little's grab for territory is weak

If Andrew Little was hoping to craft a new Labour playbook, last weekend's sop to the party faithful at their annual conference was remarkably effete, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Bella Katz: John Lewis Christmas ad and long running narratives

Department store John Lewis has created another much-talked about Christmas advertisement and rings in the upcoming retail season.

Brent Sheather: Ethical investments - or not

There are some fundamental issues with investing in ethical funds which retail investors should be aware of.

Juha Saarinen: Wireless upgrade huge boost for users in north

People tend to use Wi-Fi rather than ethernet cables to connect their computers and tablets, because it's more convenient, but don't realise multiple users and devices require beefier routers with new technology, writes Juha Saarinen.

Diana Clement: Five Ds for Auckland property investors

Saddling yourself with debt for poor gross yield is dopey, says expert.

Mary Holm: BNZ's cash fund prompts rethink

Bank defends set-up but it's eyeing change.

Fran O'Sullivan: Lochinver about-face needs explaining

After saying it would not put property back on the market, Stevenson has now sold it.

Brian Gaynor: Apple and tax

Why is IRD billing an 81 year old New Zealander $40m a year while Apple has an annual tax bill of less than $10 million?

Brian Fallow: Pricing key to electricity's power

The way electricity lines companies charge for their services is all wrong and needs to change if we are to take advantage of emerging technologies, the Electricity Authority says.

John Drinnan: Who was that masked pirate?

Hollywood studios are all Secret Squirrel about the identity of the alleged international movie pirate who ran the YTS and YIFY websites.

Banks facing hefty challenges

The A$30 billion combined annual cash profit reported by Australasia's big four banking giants is an eye-popping figure by anyone's measure.

Jane Kelsey: Trade negotiations with EU, just as fraught as TPP

Jane Kelsey explains what the EU has to gain from an agreement with NZ, which has almost no tariffs and Europe is the 2nd largest source of foreign investment.