Minister accuses Kiwis of racism
Opposition to foreign investment is more about racism than overseas ownership, the minister charged with deciding whether a Chinese company can buy a large chunk of New Zealand dairy farms says.

Dollar gallops higher in night trade
The New Zealand dollar continued to climb overnight, ending the week on a stronger note than the start.

Crafar farms' would-be buyer rethinks plans
The Hong Kong company aiming to acquire the Crafar dairy farms, Natural Dairy (NZ) Holdings, has scaled back its New Zealand investment plans after running up against the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's listing rules.

NZX on Forbes best under a billion list
Forbes Magazine has picked a list of 200 "best under a billion" top-performing companies in Asia - those worth under US$1 billion - including one New Zealand company and 13 Australian companies.

Economy 'safe' from double-dip recession
The economy is in no danger of falling into a W-shaped recovery, dropping back towards recession, according to a Business New Zealand report.

Dairy prices still 'wobbly'
A surprise rise in average dairy commodity prices on Fonterra's latest online auction helps keep the faith for a bumper payout to farmers this season, but economists need some convincing that the upturn will last.

Social networking expert banned in US
An American consultant subject to a lifelong ban by the US Federal Trade Commission has been flown to Auckland to take part in an online seminar by NZX-listed food supplement marketer New Image Group.

Top tips for buying or selling property
Depending on the day, the residential housing market is either in the doldrums or picking up for spring.

Partner in Brooklyn Rise deal went to jail for fraud
One of the two men involved in an attempt to revive the trouble-plagued Brooklyn Rise housing development has been bankrupted twice and jailed for fraud.

Banks ready for SCF funds
SBS Bank, Kiwibank and CBS Canterbury are picked as three savings institutions likely to gain a substantial chunk of South Canterbury Finance (SCF) bailout money.

Central Plains Water seeking $3m
Central Plains Water (CPW) is sounding out shareholders for another $3 million to fund the next stage of its $200m Canterbury Plains irrigation scheme.

Heliventures put in liquidation
The ill-fated Saxton family is locked in an internal struggle over its helicopter business, with founder David Saxton obtaining a court order to wind-up the company.

Time to use our cultural flexibility
A few months ago David Shackleton left New Zealand for China and a job that was just too good to pass up.

Payout decision against CPW upheld
Central Plains Water has lost its bid to avoid paying $46,000 to a Canterbury farming couple left out of pocket by "premature" restrictions placed on their land.

PGC, Torchlight weigh up which assets to bid for
Pyne Gould Corporation (PGC) and Torchlight Fund, linked to its cornerstone shareholder, are interested in buying assets within failed lender South Canterbury Finance (SCF).

Tax compliance takes less time but costs the same
Small and medium-sized businesses are spending much less time on tax than five years ago but the cost of compliance is almost unchanged, an Inland Revenue Department survey shows.

Fonterra rules out bank status
Dairy giant Fonterra has ruled out adding a bank to its business operations as farmers' borrowing options are squeezed by the failure of dairying lender South Canterbury Finance.

VB serves up mateship with a twist
When men cry to a Neil Diamond track in a beer ad, you know there has been a seismic shift in society.

Wall St continues winning streak
US stocks rose on Thursday, extending their gains from the day before, after reports on housing, manufacturing and jobs all indicated that the economy continues to grow.

The shopping list revival
I love writing a good list.