Latest from Best of Business Analysis

Liam Dann: Labour must drop monetary madness

The economy is not suddenly perfect just because the economic cycle has turned for the better, writes Liam Dann. There is still serious work to be done,

Stock Takes: Genesis float timetable tight

The Government has given itself a tight timetable for the Genesis Energy float...

Brian Fallow: Strong case for Super changes

Even as John Key was reiterating his pig-headed refusal to address the long-term affordability of the state pension, the NZ Superannuation Fund reported on its performance, writes Brian Fallow.

Liam Dann: Genesis sale a backdown or just pragmatism?

Liam Dann asks: "Is the Government decision to sell as little as 30 per cent of Genesis a back down or just pragmatism? That probably depends exactly where you sit on the political divide."

Kiwisaver: Bar for accepting hardship claims high

How easy it is to access KiwiSaver funds on financial hardship grounds?

Liam Dann: WhatsApp and Beatles make Spark the right move

It might be worth $23 billion because it's the new app the cool kids are using but I can confirm WhatsApp has already lost some of its street cred, writes Liam Dann. I've signed up.

Stock Takes: Bond fever

While the sharemarket has been overloaded with a raft of company financial reports this week, the fixed interest market has had a flurry of its own announcements.

Brian Fallow: Power policy needs more illumination

Brian Fallow asks :Does the electricity market entrench the ripping off of consumers? Would replacing it with a single buyer model address the issue of energy hardship among some households?"

Mark Lowndes: Around the world in 240 days

Travelling the world as a New Zealand businessperson can be a heartening exercise, says Mark Lowndes.

Greg Visser: Energy management reaps financial reward

The more energy efficient your business, the lower your energy spend. Reduced cost, improved bottom line. It's so obvious, writes Greg Visser.

KiwiSaver: When death taps you on the shoulder

I am 56 years old and still work full time, but I have not yet joined KiwiSaver.

Brian Fallow: Rate rise will be less than in past

The Reserve Bank is announcing its OCR decision this morning. Brian Fallow looks at whether interest rates need to rise as high as they did in the last cycle.

Brian Fallow: Oz economy still setting the pace

The plain fact is that in industry after industry, Australians have a longer stride, writes Brian Fallow. As long as that remains true, they will outpace us and the gap in incomes and living standards will widen.

KiwiSaver: The five biggest myths

Asked about the KiwiSaver myths he has heard most often, Mercer's NZ managing director Martin Lewington comes up with five off the top of his head.

Steven Joyce: NZ must keep moving forward to become 'Pacific Tiger'

The economic omens for New Zealand this year are good.

Fran O'Sullivan: Plenty of concerns to drive Key's year

John Key will probably get in a few more rounds of golf in Maui before he returns to New Zealand to get his election year planning under way in earnest.

KiwiSaver: Kickstart incentive for kids to join

I'm considering signing my kids up for KiwiSaver, in part to get the $1000 kickstart but will also make regular contributions.

Liam Dann: Market will give verdict on Chorus

Well, this was supposed to be the quirky, light-hearted year-ender column, full of whimsical reflections on the big business events of 2013.