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National

Efforts to resume China meat export

Officials are working ''around the clock'' to resolve a block preventing our meat entering China.

Winning the company battle of the sexes

Men and women might still be from Mars and Venus so here's how to work it out on the job.

NZ heading towards 'rock star status'

Economist Cameron Bagrie talks up how New Zealand will be the envy of other developed nations.

Straight talk: Kiwi psyche impedes growth

It's not big that eats little, it's fast that eats slow, says EMA chief executive Kim Campbell of business in NZ.

Innovative accessory based on firm footing

Entrepreneur who shows up to an outdoor wedding in hot new heels is inspired by a backwards topple.

Defendants in tax evasion case named

Trial begins of two men accused of facilitating another man's tax evasion of at least $1.5m.

'Overheating' talk as Quadrant cuts stake

Quadrant Private Equity took advantage of Summerset's stellar run on the sharemarket to reduce its stake in the retirement village operator.

Telecom investors in for rocky romance, says analyst

Investors warned job cuts at Telecom may only be sufficient to offset the decline in its core business.

Selling prices reflect higher electricity costs

Businesses pass on higher wholesale electricity prices in their selling prices.

Brothel keepers know how to invest in style

'It's going to be a shock to our friends'

Boozy night out sees entrepreneurial couple buy stake in the sex industry.

Wheel life helps family save for a house

To some a vacant a downtown Christchurch lot is a car park, but to the Simpsons it's home.

Legitimate ways to keep the tax man at bay

Tax time is looming leaving businesses thinking how to slash what they pay while maximising claims.

Privatised social housing to benefit tenants

Government may transfer stock from poorly performing Housing Corporation to other social housing providers.

Tailoring prices to the individual

Kiwi retailers fear US trade negotiators are trying to close down the pipeline to deep discounts.

China blocks NZ meat export

Tonnes of sheepmeat in limbo as Chinese officials reject its certification owing to a NZ Government name change.

Horizon slams power market

The electricity market structure allows generators and retailers to fatten their bottom lines at the expense of customers, Horizon Energy says.

Summerset shares resume trading

Summerset shares have resumed trading after cornerstone shareholder Quadrant Private Equity sold a 14.2 per cent stake.

Vodafone ordered to reinstate lawyer

ERA called in after the telco scrapped top lawyer's role and overlooked him for a newly created, near-identical position.

Key talks up Asian opportunities

An optimistic post-Budget John Key talks up the value of Asia and hints at stronger economic growth.

Consumers finally feel better off

Consumer confidence hits a three-year high in a sign the shackles on consumer spending may have been thrown off.

Hunk clash goes trans-Tasman

A trans-Tasman hunk clash is all go for the rural bachelor competition at this year's Fieldays.

Further delay for Air NZ cargo case

The Commerce Commission and Air New Zealand are arguing over a retracted offer of settlement in their long-running cargo price-fixing case.

Worker wins $29,000 for wrongful sacking

An Auckland accountant's "Chinese custom" of staying in a bedroom with her newborn baby for 30 days was broken by a tearful argument with her boss.

Manager must return unauthorised payments

ERA orders a former manager at printer and publisher Horton Media to pay back more than $700,000.

Double whammy hits petrol prices

Bad news for motorists as petrol prices are lifted by 4c a litre on back of falling dollar.

Tax specialist facing IRD charges named

Brent John Gilchrist named as Wellington man on charges relating to facilitating $1.5 million tax evasion.

Businesses are passing on higher prices

Businesses hit by drought-fuelled higher electricity prices passed those costs on in their own prices, figures released today show.

House prices unlikely to fall fast

Faster consent process won't push Auckland house prices down quickly, Westpac economist says.

Meridian float 'less political' - English

The Finance Minister expects a focus on the merits of the investment rather than the politics.

Joyce defends student loan crackdown

Govt says policy is aimed at those deliberately flouting the system and who had ignored IRD approaches.

CSR still only discretionary for business

Time and money are the biggest barriers to corporate social responsibility in NZ, new study finds.

Donald Trump fights Scottish wind farm

The American tycoon is taking legal action to challenge the Scottish government's decision to approve an offshore wind farm near his luxury golf resort.

Tolls and higher fuel tax to pay for roads

Drivers face paying $135 extra over the next three years, with legislation to increase petrol tax being rushed through Parliament.

Banks and credit unions put on notice

Standard and Poor's puts banks and credit unions on negative outlook, citing economic risks.

Govt has not addressed the big issues

OPINION: The Budget was a demonstration that the Government has other values which won't address many of the biggest issues facing New Zealand.

Businesses optimistic after five frugal years

OPINION: Businesses have done it tough in recent years and this year's Budget will help cement in place the platform for a return to growth.

Prudent Budget ticks the right boxes

OPINION: The Budget demonstrates prudent stewardship of finances with solid progress towards a balanced budget and lower debt and spending targets.

Startups seen as missing out

Some business leaders are unhappy that the little guys have been left out in the cold by the Budget.

Ryman Healthcare expansion depends on Melbourne

Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare may ramp up expansion into the Australian market.

Meridian told to sort out Tiwai Pt before float

The future of the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter must be finalised before Meridian Energy floats on the NZX, say market players.

Business welcomes ACC levy cuts plan

A de facto tax cut of $1b over two years is just around the corner, with Govt plans to start cutting ACC levies from April.

Return to surplus by the barest of margins

The Budget puts the Govt's books back in the black in 2014-15, but only by the barest sliver.

Christchurch rebuild funding gap remains

A "significant" gap still exists in cost-sharing for Christchurch's anchor projects despite more than $800 million committed to rebuild work in the Budget.

Critics tough on airport's big profit

Wellington International Airport's profit has increased by over 80 per cent, but not everyone is happy with the result.

Landcorp to cut use of quad bikes

Government farmer Landcorp will not be using quad bikes on its new farms, and is limiting use of the vehicles elsewhere.

Three-pronged stab at cooling home market

Looming housing bubble spooks Government into urgent action in the Budget to rein in prices and speed up new housing developments.

Scene set for next year's election

OPINION: After nearly five years reminding us there is no gain without pain, Bill English's milestone fifth Budget ticked all the finance minister's boxes, writes Tracy Watkins.