Business

More jobs as new stores loom

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Fifty jobs will be created in Taranaki this year as home- improvement retailer Bunnings boosts its presence in the region.

Best farm land 'already sold off'

The amount of productive farmland being taken out of Kiwi hands each year has dropped off sharply in the past decade, newly released figures show.

Hanover sellers due write-offs

Hanover investors who sold their shares immediately after a debt- for-equity swap with Allied Farmers are likely to get tax write- offs, Inland Revenue is to announce today.

Higher house price concern as buyer confidence slips

A growing number of people believe house prices will rise, according to the ASB's quarterly survey of housing confidence.

Refit for country's oldest gasfield

ROB MAETZIG - © Fairfax NZ News

One of the biggest drilling rigs seen in New Zealand has arrived in Taranaki, and will soon begin a drilling campaign aimed at extending the life of the country's oldest gasfield.

Solo mum stitches life back together

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

A New Plymouth seamstress has stitched herself a rags to riches story.

Spud cart brings potatoes to the people

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

A Stratford man is satisfying New Plymouth appetites with roast potatoes and other tater tucker.

Hospitality haunts sought

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

The quest has started to find Taranaki's top hospitality haunts.

Major gas announcement tipped

ROB MAETZIG - © Fairfax NZ News

Greymouth Petroleum is tipped to announce a major gas strike at its Onaero-1 exploration well.

Ultrafast broadband ready by July

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than existing broadband will be available in New Plymouth by July this year.

NCEA tests employers hiring school-leavers

JO MOIR - © Fairfax NZ News

A decade on and getting to grips with NCEA is still a challenge for employers recruiting school- leavers.

TIES powers up new drilling rig

JARED SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

The power source that will drive a $20 million drilling rig - the first of its kind in New Zealand - has been put together by a small company in Hawera.

Fonterra to explain share trade proposal

SUE O'DOWD - © Fairfax NZ News

Taranaki's Fonterra shareholders have the opportunity this week to be updated on the dairy giant's proposed capital restructure.

Farmers furious over milk plan

SUE O'DOWD - © Fairfax NZ News

Farmers upset by government proposals over raw milk regulations are being urged to speak up.

Website attracts record numbers

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

The Taranaki Daily News online team are drawing record numbers to its website by offering fresh content and an interactive experience.

Store's opening day gets closer

LAIRD HARPER - © Fairfax NZ News

The new multimillion-dollar Bunnings Warehouse rapidly taking shape in Hawera will officially open its doors on February 13.

Taranaki firm leads in protective sports vests

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Sportswomen around the globe are keeping their upper bodies safe and secure thanks to a New Plymouth company leading the way in chest- protection technology.

Taranaki firm to specialise in big, mean muscle cars

ROB MAETZIG - © Fairfax NZ News

Taranaki is now the Australasian base for a company specialising in importing and distributing high-performance American cars.

Walkway changes are in the wind

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

The nature and volume of commercial activity allowed on the coastal walkway will be reviewed this year and the New Plymouth District Council says getting the balance right will not be easy.

Holiday parks attract business people

NATALIE FINNIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Business travellers tired of inner city accommodation are trading the confines of dreary hotel rooms for relaxed Taranaki holiday parks, say tourism experts.

Confident start to gas project

ROB MAETZIG - © Fairfax NZ News

A US$12 million (NZ$15.1m) gas exploration project, crucial to the future of Taranaki's multimillion- dollar methanol industry, is about to begin.

Silver lining to e-waste shock

Your World

VIRGINIA WINDER - © Fairfax NZ News

In this blink-of-an-eye-changing world of technology, a Taranaki man has been examining what happens to our cast-offs.

Dive ship set to survey oilfields

ROB MAETZIG - © Fairfax NZ News

One of the world's newest dive support vessels slipped out of Port Taranaki last night to begin a series of assignments of oil and gas fields off the region's coast.

Skate park passion for 15 years

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Taranaki designer Tom Smithers is in the business of building community assets.

Investors can profit in tumult - advisers

Despite the low growth and turbulence in trading partners, investment advisers say New Zealanders have opportunities to make money. William Mace reports.

Crunch year for the euro

A few optimists can see green shoots, pessimists see only wilderness. Charles Bremner looks at the prospects for the single currency in 2012.

Failed Canterbury bus manufacturer DesignLine International Holdings (NZ) was sold for $3 million, the receivers' latest report shows, leaving a shortfall to unsecured creditors, Inland Revenue, BNZ, and employees of more than $7m.

Fresh look for Rural Equities

David Cushing has taken over from his father and plans to adopt a long-term strategy, Alan Wood reports.

Rugby World Cup: Bonanza or bust ?

JENNY KEOWN - © Fairfax NZ News

Did the Rugby World Cup 2011 deliver the much-hyped financial benefits to the country? JENNY KEOWN reports indications so far are that it under- delivered but many view it as successful anyway.

Kath logs off, after 24 years

HANNAH FLEMING - © Fairfax NZ News

At 70 years old, Kath Richardson is finally checking out.

Womad heads TSB grants with $125,000

Womad was the biggest winner in the TSB Community Trust's third round of funding for the 2011-12 financial year.

Kiwi stocks: a year of fat and lean

JASON KRUPP - © Fairfax NZ News

It's somewhat of an inside joke that football matches are often described by commentators as a game of two halves, but the same could be said of the New Zealand share market this year.

Christmas tradition threatened

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

A Taranaki Christmas tradition could be lost next month as the long-running Santa's Choice shop prepares to call it a day.

Award winners aiming for the stars

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

A trio of driven, young English friends running Taranaki's "best new business" is taking the Australasian energy recruitment industry by storm.

Real estate identity feels humble about accolade

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Stratford's Peter McDonald led the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand through its most turbulent times and for his efforts has been named a life member - a first for Taranaki.

Wee bags go miles to beat waste

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

New Plymouth man Gavin Giles is on a crusade to supply every New Zealand household with plastic bag toilets for emergency situations.

Lonely plaza lacks get up and go

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

New Plymouth city retailers are calling for assistance to liven up the Huatoki Plaza.

Award winners aiming for the stars

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Taranaki's "best new business" is taking the Australasian energy recruitment industry by storm.

Pair loving wine adventure

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

A Taranaki couple's Sunday drive ended in the purchase of a stately seaside business.

Melting moments await families

JOHN ANTHONY - © Fairfax NZ News

Summer in Inglewood just got a little bit sweeter - a new icecream parlour opened at Fern Lodge on Saturday.

People the key for award winners

Taranaki company M&O Pacific knuckled down in recent years to stand out above the rest - now that hard work is paying off.

Underdog shreds the competition

The owner of a winning business at this year's Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Awards nearly didn't enter out of fear of failure.

Taranaki oozes oil prospects for driller

An oil exploration company is looking to expand its presence in rural Taranaki.

Hi-tech test time in Southern Basin

One of the largest tests for hydrocarbons undertaken in New Zealand kicks off next week, with a state-of-the-art seismic testing ship heading for the Great Southern Basin.

Pastures, privacy near Inglewood

Lifestyle at 201 Lincoln Rd, on the edge of Inglewood, is as easy as you want it to be.

Vogeltown property value winner

There were some big winners and losers for Taranaki house prices in the latest QV three-year property report.

Retail selling becomes intricate artform

Behind the major supermarkets sit two rival companies at constant war.

Broadband claims disputed

Regional internet service providers, including Taranaki's PrimoWireless, are crying foul at Vodafone's claims it will provide rural New Zealanders with access to broadband internet for the first time.