business
Categories under business
- No categories
Insurance Council goes Galt
Written By: - Date published: 1:34 pm, November 3rd, 2013 - 62 comments
Well that didn’t take long. The Insurance Council has come out attacking Labour for KiwiAssure. Which is odd really, given the claim that there’s already a competitive market. You’d have thought they would welcome a new member to the industry. Wouldn’t you? Or alternatively, they’ve been making big money at the expense of all of […]
Outsourcing poverty: Paula Bennett’s shame
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, October 29th, 2013 - 51 comments
A charity is taking on the funding of the essential work on monitoring poverty, in the face of Paula Bennett, Bill English and John Key et al failing to do their job: a return to Dickensian & Edwardian times.
Lucy Lawless to Steven Joyce: ‘U killed NZ film industry’
Written By: - Date published: 2:23 pm, October 25th, 2013 - 103 comments
NZ needs government legislation & financial support to maintain local screen productions. Steven Joyce makes some hollow noises about prioritising NZ-focused productions, while allowing the Auckland industry to decline. Lucy Lawless blames Joyce for NZ Film tax rebates & prioritising BIG Oil.
Granny Herald tries to de-legitimise political opposition, again
Written By: - Date published: 7:42 am, October 15th, 2013 - 36 comments
Yesterday, the Greens illustrated the size of the gambling concessions in the SkyCity deal with a to-scale cardboard display in Aotea Square. The visually striking move got extensive coverage on Breakfast yesterday and a rather, odd, story in the Herald, which chose to focus on the cost of the protest. What was that, presumably, outrageous cost? $3,000.
Mighty River Power is buying back shares
Written By: - Date published: 11:32 am, October 10th, 2013 - 45 comments
The Board of Mighty River Power has announced that it is buying back up to 2% of its shares because this is a prudent use of capital and will be value enhancing. It is a shame that the Government was incapable of seeing this. Expect a surge in its share price to occur and I suspect that this will be beneficial for the Meridian float.
Hooton – please apologise
Written By: - Date published: 1:46 pm, September 23rd, 2013 - 220 comments
Matthew Hooton accused David Cunliffe of lying about his involvement with the Boston Management Group when it was providing advice that led to the development of Fonterra. A little research supports Cunliffe’s claims and not Hooton’s.
NRT: Rewarding failure
Written By: - Date published: 3:27 pm, September 18th, 2013 - 17 comments
What seems to be the defining feature of this government is in providing corporate welfare to incompetents who underbid their competition for government work or want bigger subsidies at the taxpayers expense. Give them the vaguest excuse and Key or Joyce will wilt like a flower in a desert and throw money at companies who […]
Syria et al.
Written By: - Date published: 5:09 pm, August 29th, 2013 - 311 comments
Sometimes the most complicated and complex situation becomes clear when viewed from a simple and obvious perspective.
Hands-on National
Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, August 10th, 2013 - 19 comments
It doesn’t suit the Labour Party narrative – and indeed it’s not their espoused philosophy – but every now and then National can’t help but be “hands on”. We’ve had the South Canterbury Finances in the past (won’t somebody think of the shareholders!), but this week was a real doozy for it, between Fonterra, Tiwai Point and Chorus.
UK: Zero Hour Contracts
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, August 7th, 2013 - 9 comments
There’s a Guardian-led campaign in the UK at the moment over “zero-hour contracts” – contracts that guarantee an employee no hours, and often leave them on-call at a moment’s notice to fulfil the employers whim. They’re common here, but I don’t expect a major newspaper to run with it…
Fool’s gold
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, August 2nd, 2013 - 12 comments
In its submission on the Pike River bill, New Zealand’s second largest mining company has told Select Committee that workers can’t be trusted to look after their own health and safety, and everything’s just fine the way it is.
But at the same time one of their mines has been partially closed due to a safety hazard.
The magical world of New Zealand’s, Neo-Liberal right wing.
Written By: - Date published: 6:06 am, August 1st, 2013 - 83 comments
It has been obvious that some people live in a different world than the rest of us. One where Chicago school economics, work! One where you save the village by blowing it up! One where global warming can be stopped, Canute like, by legislation. One where dropping wages and giving everything to bloated financiers, makes […]
Diss Loyalty
Written By: - Date published: 6:57 pm, July 31st, 2013 - 97 comments
So, what’s with all the negativity toward the Labour Party? Why so many comments on the Standard rubbishing the leadership, running down the party’s prospects at the next election, putting the boot in to the only party with enough mass support to bring an end to the dismal Key Government? They must really love Labour?
Speculation
Written By: - Date published: 8:32 pm, July 30th, 2013 - 143 comments
I know many of the liberal left don’t like or can’t accept the thought that banning non-residents from speculating on residential property in NZ is in any way xenophobic. Thankfully, from my perspective at least, the liberal left doesn’t speak for the whole of the left. Thing is, this banning of foreign investment is similar […]
A conservative view on low wages.
Written By: - Date published: 11:33 am, July 25th, 2013 - 37 comments
It is a national evil that any class of Her Majesty’s subjects should receive less than a living wage in return for their utmost exertions… where you have what we call sweated trades, you have no organisation, no parity of bargaining, the good employer is undercut by the bad and the bad by the worst; …
Wellington workers
Written By: - Date published: 6:52 am, July 23rd, 2013 - 28 comments
Let’s hope that workers’ rights and safety are protected in the wake of the Wellington quakes.
Don’t vote for more pokie victims
Written By: - Date published: 10:41 am, July 11th, 2013 - 50 comments
It seems that the Sky City Bill means pokies in Auckland InterCity bus terminal. So much for monitored and controlled environments. Those MPs who vote for this legislation are voting for more social harm, including more suicide. Contact them – ask them not to create more pokie victims.
Sky City deal – personal vote
Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, July 10th, 2013 - 30 comments
Multiple reports on Twitter that Key’s grubby Sky City Bill will be a conscience personal vote. If true, I guess we get to see if any Nat MPs have a conscience.
GCSB Bill scaring off investors
Written By: - Date published: 7:22 am, July 4th, 2013 - 103 comments
One of National’s favourite lines of attack on any significant lefty policy is that it will “scare off investors”. So how now do they respond to Google’s threat that global telecommunications companies may well abandon New Zealand because of the compliance costs of the new GCSB legislation?
“Women of Influence” awards: from the left or the right?
Written By: - Date published: 12:11 pm, June 27th, 2013 - 11 comments
There’s something to be said for Fairfax and Westpac’s launch of the Women of Influence NZ awards. Many women do not receive social recognition, or a fair financial reward, for their valuable contributions to society. The Fairfax-Westpac, right-leaning, individualistic awards foreground money, profits, leadership and business.
Should a country be run like a business?
Written By: - Date published: 2:50 pm, June 22nd, 2013 - 102 comments
Many business people say that a country should be run like a business. Maybe they are right. It should be run like a SUCCESSFUL business. It is appropriate for Government to take lessons from business success, and the reverse. But when it comes down to details, right wing Neo-Liberal business do not want Government and country they govern to become too successful or democratic…
NRT: The problem of SOEs
Written By: - Date published: 3:36 pm, June 20th, 2013 - 7 comments
A second repost (with thanks) from I/S at No Right Turn. This time on SOEs.
The Blame Game.
Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, June 20th, 2013 - 84 comments
Blame beneficiaries, blame the young, blame the old, blame the boomers, blame Maori, blame Pakeha, blame granny, hell, why don’t we just blame the Jews! Anything except place the blame where it belongs. On successive Governments who have sold us out to the rich, and offshore corporates. And the system which allows a few stupid […]
The nub of the issue
Written By: - Date published: 11:16 am, June 19th, 2013 - 112 comments
John Key can’t admit there’s a crisis in manufacturing. His response is to huff and puff and call people bozos. Not good enough. Here are some basic questions that Key should be able to answer…
Manufacturing Inquiry report
Written By: - Date published: 2:59 pm, June 17th, 2013 - 83 comments
The parliamentary inquiry into the future of manufacturing has released its report today. I’ve not had time to read it, but it’s great to see a report by 4 out of parliament’s 7 or 8* parties, showing a united stance to one of our country’s biggest economic problems. 40,000 lost jobs in 4 years; the worst current account deficit in the developed world (overtaking Greece) – and a government that’s ignoring it. We need some big solutions and a combined force committed to it.
Supporting NZ Power
Written By: - Date published: 12:37 pm, May 6th, 2013 - 12 comments
The chief executive of the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association supports the Labour / Green electricity proposals.
Massive changes to employment legislation announced today
Written By: - Date published: 12:15 pm, April 26th, 2013 - 139 comments
The changes announced today to employment law represent the most serious attack on the rights of working people to a fair go since 1991. As I wrote on this blog that the Bill will reduce the Employment Relations Act to a farce and the result will be wages are driven down and employment agreements broken […]
Nats still at panic-stations over NZ Power
Written By: - Date published: 8:29 am, April 22nd, 2013 - 16 comments
Can there be a greater sign of the threat that National sees in NZ Power than the fact they have put out 5 press releases condemning it in 4 days? I bet Key spends his Monday media round attacking it too. National knows they’re on to a hiding – they’re defending excessive profits over lower power prices for people. But they’re ideological bound to reject the solution.
It’s Not Enough To Be Nice
Written By: - Date published: 7:34 pm, April 21st, 2013 - 21 comments
Being a good employer takes a collective effort. Being nice, inquiring about the kids and genuinely taking an interest in your employees is good but does not a good employer make. Good employers are a result of what the business model allows them to do, and with the levers in NZ all set around price […]
Asset Sales: Orcon
Written By: - Date published: 6:08 pm, April 15th, 2013 - 8 comments
It was announced today that Government-owned Orcon was sold off last Friday.
Networks of influence
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, April 14th, 2013 - 57 comments
John Key is into networking and schmoozing with the wealthy & influential. He’s given special attention to the entertainment industries, GCSB, intellectual property & commerce. He crossed paths with Warner’s people the year before the Hobbit dispute, but never played golf with Dotcom.
- Council Urges Government To Drop Treaty Principles Bill
The Council has particular concerns that the Bill would negatively impact the trust and collaboration underpinning its long-standing relationship with Ngāi Tahu. ...1 week ago - ‘A sick wish fulfilment fantasy, so badly written’: Harry Ricketts’ biggest book regret
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Harry Ricketts – poet, literary scholar and author of memoir First Things and around 30 other books. The book I wish I’d written Byron’s comic verse-novel Don Juan. ...1 week ago - Pure SEO Report Reveals Carbon Footprint Of New Zealand MPs
The critical analysis of MPs’ travel emissions reveals inefficiencies and discrepancies across all major parties. National leads in both expenses and emissions, with Labour close behind, reflecting the significant environmental impact of the dominant parties. ...1 week ago
- Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brands
Our legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season. Note: When we first published this guide six years ago, it was about finding the small labels and makers out there and pointing hungry shoppers in their direction. Since then, there has been huge and exciting growth in ...1 week ago
- Five classic summer road trips, with burgers to match
Lollies and chips can only sustain you so far. Here are five of our favourite New Zealand road trips, with burger pairings to enjoy along the way. Auckland to Northland I know not everyone is a fan of new roads being built, but the drive from Auckland to Northland is ...1 week ago
- Stuff ‘consciously uncouples’ into two separate digital and print businesses
Exclusive: Leaked emails and documents show that the media giant will soon be two legal entities – opening up a range of options for owner Sinead Boucher. Duncan Greive analyses the move. News media giant Stuff will soon be two separate businesses, as it splits into one built around the ...1 week ago
- With its daily news bulletin scrapped, what’s next for Whakaata Māori?
With funding stagnant since 2008, the broadcaster is racing to adapt to a digital world – and a hard pivot might be the key to ensuring its survival. Last week, Whakaata Māori announced the end of its flagship daily news bulletin, Te Ao Māori News, which has been a fixture ...1 week ago
- PSA Takes Legal Action To Stop Govt Cutting Working From Home Arrangements
The PSA has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices, including the recent directive on working from home. "The PSA is firmly of the view that the Government is unable to do ...1 week ago
- Greyhound racing sprints toward the finish line
Some in the industry say a small number of negligent trainers ‘buggered it’ for everyone else, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- Furious minister calls ‘please explain’ meeting over Lake Alice payments
Survivors of torture in state care say they’re being shortchanged by the Health Ministry, a situation that has left Cabinet Minister Erica Stanford “incandescent”.In October, Stanford, the minister in charge of the Crown’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, announced the Government had set aside $2.6 million ...1 week ago - Calls for inquiry into billion dollar Kiwi dietary supplement
The US Food and Drug Administration reveals it’s received 118 adverse event reports this year alone, for users of a supplement marketed by big-name influencers as ‘made in NZ’.In particular, there are 30-plus reports of elevated hepatic enzymes and related symptoms of liver harm in 2023 and 2024. Scientists and ...1 week ago
- Auckland Council opposes new housing because motorists won’t be able to see a hill
Over the motorway from Sylvia Park is Mutukāroa / Hamlins Hill Regional Park. Parts of it can be seen from the motorway and Auckland Council is fighting to keep that view sacred. If there’s one rule for being a safe driver, it’s keeping your eyes on the road. That may ...1 week ago
- How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?
Alex Casey takes a look back at the long history of Aotearoa’s child stars shining on the world stage and asks: are they our greatest export? If you too feel as if your sense of national pride is sinking into oblivion like a pavlova left outside in the forthcoming hottest ...1 week ago
- Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 December
The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- How NZ businesses can find offshore success
As a small country at the bottom of the world, opportunities for New Zealand businesses to bring in offshore revenue at scale can be few and far between. But a sector that transcends borders – the technology industry – has shown an ability to do so and do so at ...1 week ago
- ECan councillors briefed in private by vested interests
Canterbury regional councillor expresses discomfort with minuteless, closed-door meetings which often have a ‘single narrative’ The post ECan councillors briefed in private by vested interests appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Cabinet approves $5m loan to support Whakapapa buyer
Whakapapa Holdings has received Crown support to buy the ski field out of receivership The post Cabinet approves $5m loan to support Whakapapa buyer appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Xmas: The best poetry books of 2024
The perk of being the judge for the anthology Best New Zealand Poems 2024 is that I am being sent all the books of poetry written this year. That may sound like hell to you, and it is, but I am like a pig in hell, if that’s the idiom. ...1 week ago
- Conspiracy theories overwhelm Reserve Bank submissions
A Voices for Freedom campaign saw record levels of submissions – mostly against – the Reserve Bank’s digital cash process The post Conspiracy theories overwhelm Reserve Bank submissions appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- NZ in strong position to talk tariffs with Trump – US ambassador
Joe Biden’s man in Wellington talks to Newsroom about the growing strength of the NZ-US relationship The post NZ in strong position to talk tariffs with Trump – US ambassador appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand 101 for those seeking refuge
Aqela Barati and her husband, Mohammad Kazim, are waiting for news about their new home in Palmerston North, which they hope to move into by Christmas.The house hasn’t been found yet – there’s a team working on that – but they have a general idea of what it will look ...1 week ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 11 December
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 11 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Managers are entitled to be treated fairly as well
Opinion: Changes to employment law are couched as if all the unfairness is on the employer side of the ledger The post Managers are entitled to be treated fairly as well appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s final climate plan relies on unproven technology
Analysis: The Government’s new climate plan relies on unproven methane-busting technology and partially disproven carbon capture schemes for as much as half of its promised greenhouse emissions reductions.The final version of the second emissions reduction plan, which outlines the Government’s climate policy for 2026 to 2030 as it seeks to ...1 week ago
- The most electric place in Auckland this year? Penrose 1061
A much maligned old friend is reborn as a field of dreams. In a year with too few causes to celebrate, in a city that still feels a few chips short of a scoop, one beacon shone bright and long and radiant. In the perfunctory suburb of Penrose, postcode 1061, ...1 week ago
- A Historic Victory For Greyhounds In New Zealand
"This is a huge win for greyhounds across New Zealand and sets a powerful precedent on the global stage," says Danette Wereta, spokesperson for the Animal Justice Party. "There are so many amazing ways to have fun that don’t harm animals or put them ...1 week ago
- No More Complicity! Aotearoa National Rally For Palestine
For over a year, thousands of New Zealanders have joined the millions across the world in taking to the streets to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. ...1 week ago
- PSA Demand End To Sexist Pay Discrimination
"Thousands more women employed or funded by government are moving through the pay equity process to address the undervaluation of their work," Davies said. ...1 week ago
- Stand Tū Māia Sues Children’s Ministry For Breach Of Contract
Chief Executive Dr Fiona Inkpen said the Trust had been forced to bring court action to hold the Children’s Ministry to its contractual obligations and prevent the Ministry from acting as though the contract has been cancelled. ...1 week ago
- The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024
The best local books published this year, as selected by books editor Claire Mabey and a panel of experts. Welcome to the first of four best-of-books lists for 2024. These are the New Zealand books, for both children and adults, published in 2024, that stuck with our panel of writers, ...1 week ago
- PSA Calls On Minister To Reverse Cold-hearted Cuts To Children’s Charity Funding
Children’s charity Stand Tū Māia is today taking urgent legal action against Oranga Tamariki for unilaterally reneging on a three-year $21 million contract after only six months. ...1 week ago
- Review: Ram Raid Mums provides a blueprint for breaking the cycle
With youth crime dominating headlines and the government doubling down on punitive measures, Ram Raid Mums offers a powerful, humanising alternative. Liam Rātana reviews. It’s easy to say that all criminals should be locked up. That we should throw the book at people who break the law in an attempt ...1 week ago
- A close reading of the United Healthcare CEO suspect Luigi Mangione’s Goodreads account
Last week, the CEO of United Healthcare was shot and killed in New York. Today, we assess the suspect’s reading habits. Disclaimer: There is a slight possibility that someone with the same name and same face also has a Goodreads account and an interest in environmentalism and the healthcare industry. ...1 week ago
- The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world
Alex Casey talks to the owners of some of the country’s smallest cinemas about how they’re surviving – and even thriving – in 2024. To sit in the foyer of Ethel’s Cinema in Akaroa is to feel smack bang in the epicentre of the 600-strong Banks Peninsula community. The coffee ...1 week ago
- The cost of being: A thrifty baking apprentice who’s saving up to travel
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 21-year-old explains why she’s always on the hunt for a bargain. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 21. Ethnicity: NZ European. Role: Second-year baking ...1 week ago
- Explosive LNG Report Casts More Doubt On Govt’s Plan To Build Fossil Gas Import Terminal
The ‘ Explosive Truths’ report commissioned by Greenpeace delves into the history of LNG accidents, highlighting a lack of transparency, underestimated risks to human safety, and failing safety protocols. ...1 week ago
- A tale of two polls
Te Pāti Māori hits a high, but not at the expense of Act, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- Freezers, pasteurisers and funding woes: A day at a human milk bank in Christchurch
Shanti Mathias visits a volunteer-run milk bank, where donated breast milk is processed and distributed to newborns in need. The milk is in bottles with light blue tops, neatly labelled, the three fridges humming steadily to keep the liquid cool. But a closer look at the milk shows not the ...1 week ago
- ‘More than a business’: Auckland institution Geoff’s Emporium to close after 42 years
The last buttons will be counted out on Dominion Road at the end of January. At the large wooden counter towards the back of the store, Derrol Lamb measured two meters of cream poly cotton from a roll of fabric. Once out, he deftly ran big silver scissors along the ...1 week ago
- ‘The window has closed on tree-planting’ – Rod Carr
The former climate tsar discusses opposition from ‘vested interests’ in the fossil fuel sector and the opportunity NZ is at risk of squandering The post ‘The window has closed on tree-planting’ – Rod Carr appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
Recent Comments