Stuff.co.nz - Business

Hotchin: 'Nothing in it for me'

By TIM HUNTER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

Mark Hotchin arrives 20 minutes late for our meeting and he's still signing papers as we walk in. He looks tense, keyed up.

Allied dangles carrot for investors

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

The tantalising prospect of a 100% capital return is once again being raised as the carrot to tempt Hanover debenture holders into voting for a new rescue deal.

Rich pickings for taxman as rich pay up

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

A blitz by the taxman on the nation's wealthiest people netted an extra $81 million in the past tax year.

Tainted directors not wanted

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

One of the sharemarket's own prospectus watchdogs has called for directors who served on collapsed finance companies to be banned from holding directorships in listed companies.

Are repo men toeing the line?

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

Lenders are up in arms over proposals to limit their ability to carry out repossessions despite concerns at the Ministry of Consumer Affairs that vulnerable indebted families are being abused.

Advisers to dob in dodgy deals under new code

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

Financial advisers will be forced to inform on the dirty practices of their peers under a snitch clause in a contentious proposal for a new code of ethics to clean up the industry.

Life returns to troubled debt markets

By ROB STOCK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

Life has been returning to the troubled debt markets that caused carnage among investors in products such as ING's Diversified Yield Fund and Forsyth Barr's Credit Sails.

A costly exercise in hypocrisy

By ROD ORAM — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

The Government has made an utter mockery of the emissions trading scheme. Such is National's abuse of policy-making, consultation and parliamentary process, the country will pay dearly for the government's ETS mistakes for years to come.

Kiwi company flush with success

By GREG NINNESS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

A New Zealand company is cleaning up in 40,000 toilets around the world thanks to an innovative hygiene product.

New town home sales turn a corner

By GREG NINNESS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +1300

Few property developers would have been as pleased to see the recent upturn in the housing market as Infinity Group's Bob Robertson.

Here's some free advice for the advisers

By SIMON HASSAN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:51:00 +1300

Consumer's recent mystery shopper survey had its limitations – journalism is journalism – but it would be dire folly to imagine this means it can be ignored. No matter how you see it, the report showed up real shortcomings in some of the financial advice on offer in New Zealand today.

Agria Corp takes cornerstone share

By ALAN WOOD — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

PGG Wrightson's $180.7 million capital raising will see upstart Chinese firm Agria Corp take over the top cornerstone position with a 19 percent stake, pushing ahead of traditional large stake holders.

Code an 'opportunity to get it right'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

Financial advisers have been portrayed as both collaborators and fall guys in the finance company collapses. Catherine Harris asks whether the Securities Commission-driven code of conduct will make any difference.

Certification for financial advisers welcome

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

The Institute of Financial Advisers says the push to have financial advisers certified will bring others up to the standards that it has long required.

Griffin's moves biscuits to Fiji

By AMANDA FISHER — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

Some of the nation's favourite biscuits are no longer true Kiwi institutions, with Griffin's outsourcing some of its production to Fiji after more than 140 years of New Zealand manufacture.

Family stung by Bridgecorp tells of devastation

By CATHERINE HARRIS — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

Nothing's changed in more than two years for Feilding couple Mary and David Fauchelle, who with their daughter lost $200,000 savings in the Bridgecorp collapse.

Name change, new office and business as usual

By MARTIN VAN BEYNEN — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

The Australian-run talent agency at the centre of a storm of damaging allegations says it can "quite easily" continue in business in Christchurch.

Moro production to move to Australia

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

The Moro bar – Cadbury's best-selling chocolate bar in New Zealand – is set to be made in Australia, along with other popular Kiwi treats including Perky Nana, Crunchie, Jet Planes and Eskimos.

SCF seeks to sell troubled resort

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

South Canterbury Finance is trying to recover $10 million by selling Wanaka's largest resort, but the resort's owner believes his financier will be lucky to get half that.

Credit card sales weak as shoppers remain wary

By CLAIRE MCENTEE — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1300

Credit card spending inched up in October but "the plastic" is still a long way off fantastic, Reserve Bank figures show.