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China challenge tipped for big Aussie banks
Reserve Bank deputy governor Grant Spencer says the arrival of Asian banking giants is a watershed event that will boost competition and keep the dominant lenders "on their toes".

Beef prices continue to set records
Global dairy markets have plummeted but New Zealand beef prices have continued to hit record highs, while sheepmeat prices have stayed firm, Rabobank says.

Profit takers drive NZX 50 lower
New Zealand shares fell yesterday, paced by Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mighty River Power as some investors looked to crystallise recent gains.

Bob Jones eyes UK
Wellington-headquartered investor Robt. Jones Holdings has added to its commercial and industrial property portfolio and is turning its attention to the British market.

NZ's cheapest homes revealed
A humble road in central Kawerau has been revealed as a bargain hunter's dream, laying claim to the cheapest stretch of residential real estate anywhere in New Zealand.

Grass will not cut it for cash cows
The grass-only dairy farm model has become a thing of the past for New Zealand as farmers increasingly turn to supplementary feeds to increase their production.

Liam Dann: All signs point to happy Christmas
The Christmas madness is about to begin and for many retailers the stakes have never been higher, writes Business Editor Liam Dann.

Most pass financial advice test
New Zealand's market watchdog has declined only one financial adviser application since the collapse of David Ross' Ponzi scheme two years ago.

Did the wings work?
Anthony Dixon is happy to be back. The chief executive of electronics technology company Times-7 was in front of New Zealand's angel community again at the annual showcase investment event, but this time he had a lot more to smile about.

Profit lift boosts F&P Healthcare
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare shares have soared to a record high after the medical device maker's sixth profit guidance upgrade in two years.

Loss hits $3.6m as Serko hunts sales growth
Serko, the online travel booking business, widened its first-half loss in line with its May prospectus as it hired more staff to chase sales growth.

F&P at record on higher profit
New Zealand shares rose as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare advanced to a record after lifting its annual profit guidance. Xero fell as its first-half results showed a slower pace of growth.

Milk firm to join ASX in dual listing
The a2 Milk Company says it is planning to list in Australia, where most of its earnings come from, in the first quarter of 2015, while maintaining its listing on the NZX.

NZ part of global push against tax avoidance
There is broad global support for moves to curb international tax avoidance, Finance Minister Bill English said on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brisbane.

Seminar for digital marketing catch-up
New Zealand is catching up with other countries co-ordinating growth in technology with the marketing sector, say the organisers of AdTech.

Fonterra units still causing confusion
Fonterra's NZX-listed units are still causing confusion, two years after their introduction.

Recession warning to Australia
Australia is headed for recession and nothing can be done to stop it, a prominent economist warns

Childcare roll-up Evolve sets IPO price
Childcare roll-up Evolve Education Group has set the price for its initial public offer at $1 per share giving it a market share of $177 million.

Hippies back at Vic Park
The rebirth of an old market, once teeming with hippy and bohemian traders and curious customers, has lured three Aucklanders back to Victoria Park where they spent happy times as teenagers.

Food producers must adapt: report
New Zealand primary producers need to be prepared to do things differently in a rapidly changing world if they are to retain their place in global food markets, says KPMG.

Sunair may be north's saviour
A Tauranga-based operator is poised to take over Air New Zealand's cancelled regional air services from Whakatane and Kaitaia but will charge similar prices.