Dairy cow numbers hit record hit
Sheep numbers have continued to fall, dairy cow numbers are rising and grain crops increased markedly, latest agricultural production figures show.

Income gap dealt blow with $85b coal deal
Prime Minister John Key's insistence that New Zealand can close an income gap with Australia has been dealt a further blow, with the signing of an $85 billion deal to export coal to China.

Deutsche eyes NZ's Craigs Investment
Global giant Deutsche Bank is understood to be eyeing a slice of local share broking firm Craigs Investment Partners.

Tower outperforming last year
Insurer and fund manager Tower performed ahead of its year ago results in the three months to December, chairman Tony Gibbs told the company's annual meeting today.

Warehouse seeks to raise $100m
The Warehouse says it will seek up to $100 million through a public debt offer.

Live Chat: John Key's tax reform speech
Join Stuff's live chat and rolling coverage of John Key's tax reform speech, with expert commentary and analysis.

Speirs Group raises $5.9m
Fresh food and Omega-3 company Speirs Group says it has raised more than $5.9 million in equity and medium term debt.

Boeing's 747-8 takes flight
Boeing flew for the first time its twice-delayed 747-8 Freighter, a significant milestone in the history of the legendary 747 family and a step that could bolster the credibility of the world's second-largest plane maker.

ASX heads south, takes Wall St cue
The Australian share market has opened lower, taking its cues from a negative finish on Wall Street and led by the weak performance of financial stocks.

Global recall for Toyota Prius
Toyota will announce a global recall of all 2010 Prius hybrid petrol-electric cars because of a braking problem.

Tax plan will hit property investment
John Key will unveil measures aimed at cooling New Zealand's love affair with property investment in a speech today that is expected to outline major tax reforms.

Lawyers lining up for Toyota pot shot
Law firms across the United States are scrambling for a chance at the mother lode: a lawsuit against embattled, but cash-rich Toyota Motor Corp.

NZX slips at open
The New Zealand sharemarket dropped in early trading, with Contact Energy down 5c as it remained stuck in a narrow range after falling from a four-month high in early January.

Business confidence easing, survey
A new survey shows business confidence easing in the past month, but remaining firmly positive.

IRD to appeal surgeon tax case
The IRD will today appeal a High Court decision in favour of two Christchurch surgeons it had accused of underpaying themselves in order to save on tax.

Can you make cents of our money quiz?
Can you make cents of our money quiz?

Monaco Village faces liquidation bid
A Nelson company that developed the $60 million Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco appears to have struck financial problems.

RBNZ's rates view unchanged
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard says the worse-than- expected unemployment data last week has not altered the bank's view on when it might start raising interest rates.

Gough mines $63m deal
Gough Group has secured its biggest machinery order and will deliver 43 pieces of Caterpillar equipment worth a total of $63 million to state-owned coal miner Solid Energy.

Genesis in drive for SI clients
North Island power company Genesis Energy has launched a campaign to attract South Island customers.