A $1.3 billion offer for South Canterbury Finance appears to have been rejected after Treasury received advice that the deal was not necessarily the best one it could get.

South Canterbury Finance chief executive Sandy Maier became a director of Ngai Tahu Holdings the day after Allan Hubbard's finance company was placed in receivership.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday poured cold water on Super City Mayor-elect Len Brown's ambitious plans for rail.

For some professionals this week's tax cuts make them wealthier than before. Others take home less money than they did six years ago.

Two radio-thons held in Tonga over the past week have raised almost $600,000 for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.

The "GST-income tax switch" will from tomorrow leave the vast majority of income earners with at least a few more dollars in their pockets each week.

Sir Barry Curtis put $100,000 on his council credit card in his final term as Manukau City Mayor.

How a fibre optic link changed the world.

Will ultra-fast broadband be a game-changer or a costly toy? Anthony Doesburg found five companies already showing what better internet connections can mean.

The first round of quake-affected businesses signed up to the Government's wage assistance package will see money in the bank tomorrow.

Peter Wood writes on the importance of resuming commerce after an emergency.

An estimated 5000 uninsured homes damaged in the Christchurch earthquake will have to make a case of "true hardship" to be considered for financial help.

The Christchurch earthquake is expected to provide a much-needed lifeline for NZ's beleaguered construction sector.