NBR | Independent business news, Finance, Investment, Tech, Law

Ten major iwi investors posted a 3.9% return in 2025, marking a third straight difficult year as property valuations and carbon markets weighed on results.

Mike McRoberts Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Primary Industries

What’s next for Fonterra CEO?

Co-op silent on speculation over succession planning.

Tim Hunter Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Horticulture startup gets funding for lab-grown fruit and nuts

When seed funding is, literally, for nuts.

NBR Staff Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Fonterra announces another Mainland payout

On a good news day for farmers, the milk price forecast also gets a boost.

NBR Staff Fri, 20 Feb 2026

Australia

Former chief executive Elliott drops legal action against ANZ

The bank executive had sued over bonuses he said were part of his contract.

Lachlan Colquhoun Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Australian Liberals dump leader, elect Angus Taylor

With polls showing plummeting support, the party has elected a conservative as leader as it seeks to differentiate itself from the Labor Government.

Lachlan Colquhoun Fri, 13 Feb 2026

Profits are up but the ASX faces leadership uncertainty

Helen Lofthouse is stepping down as chief executive, with no replacement announced as the ASX goes on a global search.

Lachlan Colquhoun Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Tech & Innovation

NZGCP to trial a new pre-seed fund, Scout

Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says access to capital remains uneven for some startups.

Fiona Rotherham Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Anthropic to open offices in New Zealand and Australia

The AI company says Kiwis and Australians are heavy users of its Claude platform.

Lachlan Colquhoun Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Dear Fonterra employee: You need to do better. Sincerely, AI

New Zealand’s single biggest export company and one of its largest employers is testing AI for everything from mobile phone orders to penning warning letters to staff.

Brent Melville Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Law

Appeal Court ruling a warning to Govt on AI use, lawyer says

Simpson Grierson partner Nick Chapman says the building question of whether AI-generated decisions can be challenged has been answered.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Teak building firms owe $8m, subbies want liquidator out

Lawyer says sub-contractors on various jobs are ‘queuing up’ for claims against the failed builder.

Brent Melville Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Media executive handed 10-month detention, after underage sex

The judge refused to discharge without conviction given the 'gravity of offending' with a 14-year-old in September, but media still can't name him.

Brent Melville Mon, 09 Mar 2026

Finance

RBNZ rejected expert advice about capital requirements for banks

Three independent experts were ‘lukewarm’ about changes, but the central bank proceeded with relaxing the requirements.

Jonathan Mitchell Fri, 06 Mar 2026

Bank capital changes should lower rates, improve GDP: RBNZ

The central bank wants fair capital settings to support a ‘sustainable’ economy and manage the risk of failure.

Jonathan Mitchell Fri, 27 Feb 2026

Kiwibank targets untapped business potential

Profits up, margins tighter as Kiwibank focuses on business startups and entrepreneurs in need of a financial injection.

Jonathan Mitchell Thu, 26 Feb 2026

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #94: The future of banking

LISTEN: Would you trust an AI agent with your money?

Simon Shepherd Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Podcast #93: The battle for Auckland

LISTEN: Both National and Labour are focusing on the super city as a crucial path to power at this year’s general election.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Podcast #92: Hotelier Gavin Faull

LISTEN: He runs an international hotel chain ... and hails from a Taranaki dairy farm. Gavin Faull co-owns Swiss-Belhotel, a 165-hotel management company in 20 countries, a figure he wants to more than triple.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 24 Feb 2026

General Business

Medicinal cannabis firm Helius in voluntary administration

Guy Haddleton-backed company had been involved in a merger with cannabis clinics run by Elysian Group.

Will Mace Wed, 11 Mar 2026

G7 targets global energy security; Putin discusses Iran conflict

And the Bank of England is expected to delay rate cuts amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Hutt Valley aims to boost GDP by 35% by 2035

PerformIQ helps businesses benchmark themselves against their peers.

Brent Edwards Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Deals

Whip Around secures majority investment from PE firm Accel-KKR

One of its early investors, CEO Noah Hickey, will continue to run the company from the US.

Fiona Rotherham Wed, 04 Mar 2026

Magellan to transform with A$1.6b Barrenjoey deal

The deal goes against the industry trend, and integrates investment banking and funds management.

Lachlan Colquhoun Mon, 02 Mar 2026

Ngāti Toa snaps up majority of Wellington infrastructure firm

From co-governance to control: after the debate over iwi influence in Three Waters governance, Ngāti Toa is not just looking for a seat at the table.

Mike McRoberts Wed, 18 Feb 2026

Tourism

THL shares retrace losses, as Trouchet departs

Share price recovery follows initial hit in the wake of travel and oil price fears on the US/Israel-Iran conflict.

Brent Melville Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Tourism Holdings profits up 17%, opens door to new offer

Company chair signals the motorhome company is open to a revised bid from the Apollo RV founder consortium or ‘other potential bidders’ at above $663m level.

Brent Melville Mon, 23 Feb 2026

Easing restrictions on Eden Park paves the way for more events

The new rules should be in place by April.

NBR Staff Mon, 16 Feb 2026

Infrastructure

Winstone Aggregates eyes $650m-plus expansion with fast-track bid

Fletcher Building subsidiary wants to increase production at its Hunua quarry to about 5.4 million tonnes of aggregate a year.

Hamish McNicol Thu, 05 Mar 2026

Advocacy group pushes case for ‘natural infrastructure’

Investing in natural assets can reduce insurance risk and improve investment returns, says Aotearoa Circle.

NBR Staff Wed, 04 Mar 2026

Winston Peters takes credit for KiwiRail’s improved performance

‘We are seeing the benefit of the taxpayers’ investment,’ Peters says.

Brent Edwards Fri, 27 Feb 2026

Property

Consent finally dawns for $3.2b Sunfield development

It’s taken five years, litigation and at least two iterations of ‘fast-tracking’ to get Auckland’s most ambitious housing project over the line.

Brent Melville Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Brookfield snaps up two Super Fund hotels for a quarter-billion

Queenstown purchase sets new per key record while global asset manager signals 'deployment of further global capital' into New Zealand.

Brent Melville Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Property fund in proxy fight

Investor Craig Priscott is seeking to roll the board of the $115m Provincia Property Fund.

Tim Hunter Mon, 09 Mar 2026

Professional Services

Legal industry scrambling on AI, Law Association president says

But international conferences tells Tony Herring it might not change the profession as much as first thought.

Hamish McNicol Mon, 09 Mar 2026

First of its kind: litigation boutique launches in Christchurch

Shane Campbell and Thomas Westaway have teamed up to offer a new kind of disputes practice in the South Island.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 04 Mar 2026

Tech, telco and AI set to drive renewed levels of M&A activity

The annual M&A Forecast Report thinks buyers and sellers will have an easier meeting of minds this year.

Will Mace Fri, 13 Feb 2026

NBR Focus

Election 2026: The battle for Auckland

From red tide to blue wave – what will it be this time?

Simon Shepherd Thu, 05 Mar 2026

Election 2026: Māori seats in the spotlight

A fractured Waitangi, a looming court ruling, a Labour reset, and a referendum threat have thrust the Māori electorates back to the centre of election year politics.

Mike McRoberts Thu, 05 Mar 2026

Election 2026: Will voters care about the deficit?

Forty years ago, former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon said people wouldn’t know a deficit if they tripped over it.

Brent Edwards Wed, 04 Mar 2026

Retail

The man who helped build Kathmandu and Macpac – then walked away

Alchemy Equipment founder Campbell Junor on working in other people’s operations before building his own.

Kate McVicar Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Proven entrepreneur hopes to repeat success with skincare venture

Teen-focused skincare brand Evre is expanding its North American presence and looks to raise at least US$2m.

Kate McVicar Mon, 09 Mar 2026

Former Rich Listers inject $5m into Queens Arcade

The ground floor retail space will be anchored by a luxury New Zealand-owned retailer, which has yet to be named.

Kate McVicar and Brent Melville Tue, 17 Feb 2026

Luxury Property

First Light’s Hickey sells in Ongaonga, Seselj buys in Herne Bay

‘You wouldn’t want to leave your cell phone at one end of this home’, realtor says.

Brent Melville Wed, 25 Feb 2026

Coatesville club, Tuscan in Waimauku, $10m Albert St views

International buyers ramp up interest for homes above $5m; Aussie developer sells down Albert St tower, digs into Queenstown.

Brent Melville Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Matakana’s Matisse, Pyes Pa’s grand dame, and Bendigo wining

For the NBR Rich Listers and other high-net-worths who have everything, comes 800 pieces of art, a high-class restaurant – and pink snails.

Brent Melville Wed, 17 Dec 2025

Aviation News

Bell Helicopter agency to restore competition in local market

Core Aviation says it will end the monopoly of Airbus in rotocraft.

Nevil Gibson Fri, 13 Mar 2026

Air NZ suspends guidance on oil price rise, ‘adjusts’ fares

Airline says it may need to take ‘further pricing action and adjust its network and schedule’ as Middle East conflict pumps up fuel costs.

Will Mace Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Airlines may miss emission targets unless Saf production ramps up

Air New Zealand has joined Qantas in a consortium establishing a biofuel refinery at Marsden Point, which could make domestic sustainable aviation fuel production a reality.

Will Mace Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Energy

IEA reserves a factor as Iran war pushes fuel prices

World fuel stocks are in good shape, says an analyst, but there are risks if Strait of Hormuz stays closed for long.

Tim Hunter Mon, 02 Mar 2026

LNG ‘a pathway to extend life’ of Huntly Unit 5

Genesis cites contracts for coal stockpile as potential model for its main gas-fired generator at Huntly.

Tim Hunter Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Smart energy could save $3b, why aren’t we doing it?

EECA says energy savings of $1.5b for each gigawatt of peak demand reduction could be realised by taking up energy management systems ‘at scale’.

Brent Melville Wed, 18 Feb 2026

Rich List

40 years of the Rich List: Graeme Hart named first billionaire

In the lead-up to the 40th edition of the Rich List in June, NBR is opening the archives to reproduce some of the best content from the past four decades.

NBR Staff Fri, 27 Feb 2026

40 years of the Rich List: a look back to 1990

In the lead-up to the 40th edition of the Rich List in June, NBR is opening the archives to reproduce some of the best content from the past four decades.

NBR Staff Fri, 30 Jan 2026

Featured Rich Listers: Wi Pere Trust

It’s estimated the Wi Pere Trust will need another three years to repair hill country fences affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and rebuild soil structure and fertility on its 7000ha of hill country.

Owen Poland Wed, 19 Nov 2025

Marketing & Media

TVNZ’s interim profit falls as one-off costs bite

The state broadcaster will pay an interim dividend of $1.3m to the Crown.

NBR Staff Fri, 06 Mar 2026

Leaked emails reveal SkyCity breached NBR copyright

The listed casino operator had been distributing PDF copies of NBR articles to staff using just one subscription.

NBR Staff Wed, 21 Jan 2026

NBR bans banking giant Macquarie for alleged copyright breaches

Investigations suggest the A$79b market cap firm shared one subscription among dozens of staff.

NBR Staff Fri, 16 Jan 2026

Comings & Goings

Govt reappoints chair of Guardians of NZ Super board

The reappointment will maintain stability and continuity during the pre-election period and beyond, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

New CEO for Reefton Distilling Co

Lachlan Boyle will swap peanuts for whisky from the middle of May.

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

New hire for comms agency One Plus One

Esther Robinson

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

No, this is not fine

No, this is not fine

Air NZ ups fares between $10 and $90 to offset fuel price rise

Cabinet oversight group to monitor impact of Iran conflict

Free News Alerts

Pegasus Golf course tipped into liquidation, assets seized

Pegasus Golf course tipped into liquidation, assets seized

The knife-edge between failure and success: Iannick Monfils

The knife-edge between failure and success: Iannick Monfils

The Chow bros and the art of a ‘perfectly timed’ hotel opening

The Chow bros and the art of a ‘perfectly timed’ hotel opening

FNZ evasion, Fonterra freak out, JLL downsize, Luxonality

Quick Takes of the Week to March 13

Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed; oil back above US$100

Govt tapping industry data daily as Hormuz Strait stays shut

NZX50 sinks as Iran jitters send oil back over US$100/bbl

Private credit company founder facing shareholder revolt

No, this is not fine

The Chow bros and the art of a ‘perfectly timed’ hotel opening

FNZ evasion, Fonterra freak out, JLL downsize, Luxonality

The knife-edge between failure and success: Iannick Monfils

Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed; oil back above US$100

Pegasus Golf course tipped into liquidation, assets seized

Up to 350 jobs to go as Heinz Wattie’s proposes mass closures

Arria NLG launches ‘aggressive’ capital raise

Centuria sets five-year investment term for $127m retail fund

The man who helped build Kathmandu and Macpac – then walked away

No, this is not fine

Confusion over Iran, Brown’s blunt message, Bayly moving on

ComCom investigating potential pyramid scheme

Qantas profits hit by Iran conflict as Aussie motorists panic buy

Datagrid receives resource consent for ‘AI factory’

Up to 350 jobs to go as Heinz Wattie’s proposes mass closures

The risks of extending the right to make a citizen’s arrest

Minister hoping for bipartisan support of Holidays Act overhaul

Minister hoping for bipartisan support of Holidays Act overhaul

Centuria sets five-year investment term for $127m retail fund

Centuria sets five-year investment term for $127m retail fund

FMA renews calls for ‘virtual asset’ legislation

FMA renews calls for ‘virtual asset’ legislation

Hoping for bipartisan support of Holidays Act overhaul

Law doesn’t save lives, people do: health and safety lawyer

Luxon’s confusion over Iran

Brown’s message on AKL housing

Auckland Boat Show: Late Rich Lister’s superyacht sold

RBNZ ‘focusing on the reality on the ground’: Breman

Andrew Bayly moving on

Goldsmith gives ‘move on’ orders

Limiting pay equity access is “yet another attack on women”

Air New Zealand announced a $59m loss

The social and news media pressure for leadership change

Aussie radio’s A$200m partnership implodes on air – what next?

Where to hide from the AI storm

The rise and fall of EverEdge Global

Investment

NZX50 rallies as blue chips buoyed by calmer oil markets

Briscoe boss aims to return profit to record levels

NZX50 slips as investors question early end to Iran conflict

Economics

RBNZ ‘focusing on the reality on the ground’: Breman

Most economists still picking a rise in the OCR this year

Kiwibank says new capital requirement rules still unfair

Politics

Covid-19 inquiry: mistakes made under time pressure

Cabinet oversight group to monitor impact of Iran conflict

Election 2026: what impact will leaders have on the campaign?

Te Ao Māori

Ruapuke wins customary marine title, again

Māori call for change to traditional capitalist model

Iwi returns lift but stay low

Primary Industries

What’s next for Fonterra CEO?

Horticulture startup gets funding for lab-grown fruit and nuts

Fonterra announces another Mainland payout

Australia

Former chief executive Elliott drops legal action against ANZ

Australian Liberals dump leader, elect Angus Taylor

Profits are up but the ASX faces leadership uncertainty

Tech & Innovation

NZGCP to trial a new pre-seed fund, Scout