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Property

Prolific property flipper’s assets frozen

Liquidators of Rickhil Prakash’s property investment entity found it transferred a number of properties just before it failed.

Nicholas Pointon Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Property

Prolific property flipper’s assets frozen

Liquidators of Rickhil Prakash’s property investment entity found it transferred a number of properties just before it failed.

Nicholas Pointon Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Patsy directors are key to Aussie ‘phoenixing’ scams

ANALYSIS: Australia has had some success in cracking down on patsy directors linked to criminal corporate activity.

Underarm

Patsy directors are key to Aussie ‘phoenixing’ scams

ANALYSIS: Australia has had some success in cracking down on patsy directors linked to criminal corporate activity.

Lachlan Colquhoun Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Luxury Property

Trelise Cooper marooned in St Heliers; Cheshire’s Kohi beachhouse

NBR takes a look at what’s hot and what’s not in this introductory edition of Luxury Property.

Luxury Property

Trelise Cooper marooned in St Heliers; Cheshire’s Kohi beachhouse

NBR takes a look at what’s hot and what’s not in this introductory edition of Luxury Property.

Brent Melville Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Law

$75k pregnancy discrimination damages timely reminder for bosses

DLA Piper partner Carl Blake says this is the Human Rights Tribunal's third recent high damages award.

Law

$75k pregnancy discrimination damages timely reminder for bosses

DLA Piper partner Carl Blake says this is the Human Rights Tribunal's third recent high damages award.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Quick Takes

Financial literacy to be taught at school

Education Minister Erica Stanford says financial education will be embedded in the refreshed social sciences curriculum for Year 1-10 students from next year. The curriculum will cover key financial skills, such as identifying 'needs' versus 'wants', having a bank account, earning, spending and saving. Stanford said older students would cover more complex concepts such as budgeting, investment, interest, taxes and insurance. Financial maths has already been included in the new maths curriculum for this year. She said a variety of tools and resources – developed in collaboration with financial organisations, banks and charitable trusts – would be made available to schools to help deliver the new curriculum. The Retirement Commission would also work with the Ministry of Education to ensure the resources and tools were consistent with the curriculum.

Carpet makers settle court proceedings about marketing campaign

Bremworth and Godfrey Hirst have settled court proceedings brought by Godfrey Hirst against Bremworth, which arose from Bremworth's 2020-2021 marketing campaign comparing nylon carpet on the floor of the average Kiwi home equating to about 22,000 plastic bags in weight. Bremworth at the time had ceased producing synthetic carpet and moved to manufacturing wool carpets only.
Godfrey Hirst alleged that aspects of that campaign mischaracterised the relative environmental and health impacts of synthetic and wool carpets and breached the Fair Trading Act. Godfrey Hirst dropped its damages claim against Bremworth in 2022.
Bremworth denied breaching the Act, but acknowledged that the marketing campaign may have misled some consumers. The campaign was removed and will not be used again.

MARKET MOVEMENTS

Podcast #54: Managed retreat

NBR Lister Rod Drury, Dame Joan Withers – Hall of Fame inductees

Politics

Government performance reporting must focus on what matters most

Morning Brew

White House targets Amazon; Carney wins Canadian election

Investment

Rakon shares rocket on earnings guidance and Chinese customer cut

Investment

Investors cheered by Pacific Edge news

Primary Industries

Fonterra axes Hamilton packaging plant

Property

Prolific property flipper’s assets frozen

Luxury Property

Trelise Cooper marooned in St Heliers; Cheshire’s Kohi beachhouse

General Business

NBR Lister Rod Drury, Dame Joan Withers – Hall of Fame inductees

Law

$75k pregnancy discrimination damages timely reminder for bosses

Underarm

Patsy directors are key to Aussie ‘phoenixing’ scams

Morning Brew

White House targets Amazon; Carney wins Canadian election

Politics

The Finance Minister’s big budget cuts

Beehive Banter

Winston Peters’ war against woke and RNZ, the PM, and new roads

Hunter’s Corner

An embarrassment of riches

Politics

The Government’s plan to simplify the building consent process

Law

1543 Capital still active despite ‘problematic’ Greg Olliver loan

Economy Matters

There is no such thing as a ‘national’ economy

Jayne Hrdlicka appointed chief at hospitality group Endeavour

The outgoing Virgin chief executive will take up the new role from January 2026.

General Business

Carter Holt Australia writes off $33m

The sole Australian plywood plant in Graeme Hart’s wood products group books a big loss.

Finance

Kernel hits out at fees as it launches shares, ETFs

‘Bluntly, the offerings via our competitors are confusing,’ says Kernel chief customer officer.

Toil & Trouble

Getting to grips with restraints of trade

EMA head of legal Mauro Barsi says disputes over employee restraints of trade are on the rise.

Featured

Investment

Auckland Airport faces heightened regulatory risk – Forbar

Commerce Act competition review process raises questions about airport information disclosure regime.

Law

FMA mulls tailored token rules as first sandbox cohort named

Daniel Trinder says financial services and technology are increasingly blurring, with New Zealand behind the pack.

Law

FMA mulls tailored token rules as first sandbox cohort named

Daniel Trinder says financial services and technology are increasingly blurring, with New Zealand behind the pack.

Politics

The Finance Minister’s big budget cuts

Nicola Willis says the Government cannot keep racking up big debts.

Politics

The Finance Minister’s big budget cuts

Nicola Willis says the Government cannot keep racking up big debts.

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #54: Managed retreat: saving the town of Kumeu

LISTEN: Auckland Council has told residents of Kumeu-Huapai their town can’t be protected from future weather disasters. So what are the options and who is going to pay if Kumeu has to move?

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #54: Managed retreat: saving the town of Kumeu

LISTEN: Auckland Council has told residents of Kumeu-Huapai their town can’t be protected from future weather disasters. So what are the options and who is going to pay if Kumeu has to move?

Analysis

Margin Call

Tariffs, rollercoaster markets, and the tombola of turmoil

ANALYSIS: President Donald Trump can be seen on one level as a modern-day circus ringmaster ... under his platform, the markets are positively acrobatic.

Tim Chesterfield Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Shoeshine

Ministry for Regulation dips toes into murky telco waters

ANALYSIS: The Telecommunications Development Levy – a bugbear of the industry – has been excluded from David Seymour’s ministry’s review.

Will Mace Mon, 28 Apr 2025

Economy Matters

There is no such thing as a ‘national’ economy

ANALYSIS: To truly tap into NZ’s economic growth potential, we need to adopt a more regionally focused approach.

Hillmarè Schulze Mon, 28 Apr 2025

Book Review

Hollywood’s century of cinematic catastrophes

Filmgoers beware: Low-flying turkeys.

Nevil Gibson Sun, 27 Apr 2025

Professional Services

Du Val lawyer splits from iClaw legal firm, new CEO also ousted

Restructure of one of Hamilton’s biggest legal firms comes after its link to failed townhouse developer Du Val.

Brent Melville Fri, 11 Apr 2025

Scyne cuts Aussie headcount by 10% as Canberra cuts consultants

Created as a specialist firm to service the public sector, Scyne is hurting from the move to insourcing.

Lachlan Colquhoun Fri, 04 Apr 2025

Shaping the future: EY New Zealand elects new managing partner

Assurance leader Susan Jones takes over from Simon O’Connor, who has led EY NZ since 2011.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 02 Apr 2025

Primary Industries

Academic urges kiwifruit industry to address problems

‘Denial is the poisoned chalice, easily drunk by those who have worked hard to build the status quo.’

Kate McVicar Thu, 17 Apr 2025

New ownership offers ‘big opportunity’ in China for Egmont Honey

The mānuka honey company has been acquired by international private equity, in a deal thought to be more than $100m.

Kate McVicar Thu, 10 Apr 2025

NZ startup puts eyes on farms as it closes post-seed raise

Aimer founder Jeremy Bryant targets up to $2m to grow team and expand to new markets.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 09 Apr 2025

Finance

FNZ class action to be filed next month, say dissidents

Employee shareholders pull the trigger on legal claim alleging oppressive conduct by the fund administration group's board.

Tim Hunter Wed, 23 Apr 2025

Staff threaten lawsuit against FNZ over alleged oppression

Employee shareholders seek compensation for preferential shares issues they say have cost them billions.

Tim Hunter Mon, 14 Apr 2025

NZ bank sector heavily regulated? No way, says FMA

Chief executive Samantha Barrass also tells banking inquiry that NZ is way behind on open banking.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 09 Apr 2025

Investment

Telco users group demands Govt leadership for tech growth

Prominent leaders surveyed for Tuanz’s annual Digital Priorities Report believe the Govt is missing in action.

Will Mace Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Rakon chair Witten to retire, earnings guidance slightly improves

Lorraine Witten had been on the board since 2017 and chair since 2022, but her departure forms part of a ‘board refresh’.

Will Mace Mon, 28 Apr 2025

Pacific Edge now in a ‘challenging spot,’ analyst says

The cancer diagnostics company’s share price dives after finally losing reimbursement of 60% of its US revenue.

Fiona Rotherham Mon, 28 Apr 2025

Tourism

US visitors hit all-time high, Chinese numbers subdued

Tail of the Covid pandemic border closures is proving to be a lengthy one.

Brent Melville Mon, 14 Apr 2025

Zero rating inbound tourism GST not on the itinerary, says IRD

There’s about zero chance of a GST exclusion for inbound tourism operators despite a sympathetic ear by Tourism Minister Louise Upston.

Brent Melville Mon, 14 Apr 2025

Trump tariff war’s silver lining for NZ tourism

US airlines could be forced to deploy excess capacity into markets like Australia and New Zealand, says airline body.

Brent Melville Thu, 10 Apr 2025

Marketing & Media

MediaWorks now 100% Aussie owned as Oaktree sells out

Digital outdoor advertiser QMS has acquired the 45% of MediaWorks it did not already own.

Lachlan Colquhoun Mon, 07 Apr 2025

Government urged to help creative sector grow its exports

Annual exports for New Zealand's video game sector, for instance, exceed pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, and wood pulp.

Brent Edwards Thu, 27 Mar 2025

Advertising firms Thompson Spencer, Reason merge

The newly formed Thompson Spencer Group has global ambitions.

Nicholas Pointon Wed, 19 Mar 2025

Politics

Mystery of when Peters appointed Minister for Rail solved

KiwiRail shares had to be transferred to the new Rail minister, while ministers told to seek assurances from KiwiRail about its intention to keep servicing the Cook Strait ferries.

Brent Edwards Tue, 29 Apr 2025

New space infrastructure law to deter foreign malicious actions

They have ‘deliberately misrepresented’ their intentions, says Judith Collins.

NBR Staff Mon, 28 Apr 2025

The Government’s plan to simplify the building consent process

It says it will cut building costs without sacrificing quality, although Labour's local government spokesperson says care must be taken to ensure construction cowboys don’t slip through the cracks.

NBR Staff Mon, 28 Apr 2025

Property

Renting still a better bet than buying, but gap closing, says BNZ

Mortgage rates are tracking down, but renting a comparable home is still cheaper, the bank’s research shows.

Brent Melville Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Ray White Remuera ‘back in business’ after losing top spot

Auckland realtor run by Megan Jaffe and Thomas Farmer had been top performer among 1000 offices for nine years, before losing out to the hot Sydney market.

Brent Melville Wed, 23 Apr 2025

Mortgage wars: BNZ wins skirmish, drops 18-month rate to 4.95%

Big banks start rolling back one-to-two-year mortgage rates, while longer-term rates remain higher.

Brent Melville Wed, 16 Apr 2025

Luxury Property

Failed foreign buyers’ tax ‘lost opportunity’ for NZ and Govt

While high-end real estate confidence is returning, the door is still locked for most foreign buyers.

Kate McVicar Sun, 24 Dec 2023

Economics

Inflation expectations soar as consumers monitor trade turmoil

ANZ’s latest measure of consumer confidence shows inflation expectations at highest level since July, 2023.

Jonathan Mitchell Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Inflation nudges higher amid global tariff uncertainty

Stats NZ data shows annual inflation rose to 2.5%, above 2.2% at the end of last year.

Jonathan Mitchell Thu, 17 Apr 2025

‘Wrong in so many ways’: RBNZ’s Conway kicks op-ed misinformation

The central bank’s chief economist aims to improve understanding of forecasts in a volatile and uncertain world.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 15 Apr 2025

Retail

More Aussie retail failures to impact Kiwi high streets

Wittner and Jeanswest join the Noni B and Rivers brands in the hands of administrators.

Lachlan Colquhoun Thu, 17 Apr 2025

The Body Shop NZ owes $12m

The first liquidator's report shows the retailer recorded multiple years of trading losses.

Kate McVicar Thu, 03 Apr 2025

Analysts estimate Ikea will generate $191m revenue in NZ

Incoming Swedish retailer expected to grab market share from existing players such as Briscoes, says Forsyth Barr.

Kate McVicar Tue, 18 Mar 2025

Comings & Goings

Colonial Motor Company appoints independent director

John Beveridge will be subject to election at the next annual shareholder meeting, scheduled to be on November 7.

Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Partners Life appoints chief people officer

Helen Meade has more than 20 years of expertise in human resources, transformation, and communications.

Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Burnett Foundation Aotearoa appoints new CEO

Liz Gibbs’ appointment follows a comprehensive executive search in partnership with Tribe.

Mon, 28 Apr 2025

NBR Focus

The Accountants 2025: PwC plotting AI-driven future

NZ chief executive Andrew Holmes on client agendas, consultations, and cautious optimism.

Hamish McNicol Fri, 11 Apr 2025

The Accountants 2025: the country hasn’t performed well

BakerTillyStaplesRodway chair David Searle on longevity, outsourcing, and surviving through 2025.

Hamish McNicol Thu, 10 Apr 2025

The Accountants 2025: why accounting is ripe for PE investment

ANALYSIS: Mercury Capital’s Findex deal a sign of things to come for New Zealand firms.

Hamish McNicol Thu, 10 Apr 2025

Deals

Capital raise values Kiwi-founded Supabase at US$2b

California-based venture capital execs fly to Wānaka to line up the deal.

NBR Staff Thu, 24 Apr 2025

How a Tweet led to a $175m deal for Serato

In an exclusive interview with NBR, co-founders talk Commerce Commission, growth, and getting into politics.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 02 Apr 2025

DJ software company Serato sells 66% stake to Canadian company

Deal values Serato at close to $175m.

Hamish McNicol Tue, 01 Apr 2025

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #53: The business of charity

LISTEN: Starship Foundation CEO Jo Simon talks ‘starvation charities’ and how she has a business plan to keep hers sustainable.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 22 Apr 2025

Podcast #52: Craigs self-confessed bogan CEO Simon Tong

LISTEN: There’s nothing he likes more than old vinyl. Craigs Investment Partners CEO Simon Tong reveals his addiction to records – plus the reasons behind the $100m-plus private equity deal.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 15 Apr 2025

Podcast #51: The Accountants – the numbers haven’t been great

LISTEN: NBR’s annual Accountants series reveals tough times for the normally bullet-proof sector.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 08 Apr 2025

Infrastructure

Auckland, Northland focus of multi-billion-dollar transit plans

Government moves on the first of 17 roads of national significance, with the likely bill already sitting at $15 billion.

Brent Melville Wed, 23 Apr 2025

Public Works sweetener payments won’t cost the earth – Linz

Land agency and the NZTA say the incentives should be about half a percent of project value, citing about $20m across an initial three major national highway jobs.

Brent Melville Fri, 04 Apr 2025

250,000 new build products is a pipe dream, industry says

A new law will make little difference to the price of building products, observers say.

Brent Melville Thu, 03 Apr 2025

General Business

Kiwi pet food manufacturer sees uptick in US demand post tariffs

North American pet food brands are looking to New Zealand as a way to work around US-China trade barriers.

Kate McVicar Mon, 28 Apr 2025

IoD slams practice of appointing patsy directors

It ‘undermines the integrity of directorship and fails to meet the expectations of ethical, responsible governance’.

Nicholas Pointon Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Ziwi confirms restructure, pet food production slowdown

Petfood company says it is operating in a tough environment amid economic downturn and global pressures.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 23 Apr 2025

Te Ao Māori

Indigenous storytelling a headline act

Māori and Pasifika films are captivating audiences and driving significant economic growth in New Zealand's film industry.

Mike McRoberts Thu, 17 Apr 2025

Urgent action urged on Treaty settlement failures

Ngāti Toa wants the Government to act on Treaty settlement failures as PM pledges stronger oversight.

Mike McRoberts Tue, 15 Apr 2025

Waikato Tainui, Brookfield in billion-dollar Ruakura Superhub JV

Waikato Tainui representative predicts: ‘With our culture and your dollars, we’re going to be awesome.’

Mike McRoberts Fri, 11 Apr 2025

Featured Listers 2024

Featured NBR Listers 2024: Wi Pere Trust

Representing the 500 or so descendants of the former eastern Māori MP Wi Pere, the trust generates above-average returns from 7000 hectares of hill country and a relatively small 79ha horticulture unit.

NBR Staff Wed, 23 Oct 2024

Featured NBR Lister 2024: Sir Michael Hill

Earlier this year Sir Michael held a private golf tournament at his exclusive golf course, The Hills, to raise money for environmental conservation organisation Southern Lakes Sanctuary.

NBR Staff Tue, 22 Oct 2024