Otago University senior lecturer Dr Muhammad Cheema says gold has not proven a reliable asset during recent times of turmoil.
Several parties understood to have submitted bids by deadline.
Ratings agency Fitch calls the downgrade but wider impacts remain unclear.
Special meeting vote gives board strong mandate for talks with government.
The bank overcharged customers $1.2m in fees over 15 years, the market regulator says.
Fast ferry vessel will be built by Whanganui’s Q-West for a cost of $13.5m.
The experienced journalist also won two categories in the awards.
The healthcare and animal care company has been on the acquisition trail for the past year.
Laura Scampion takes over from long-standing incumbent Martin Wiseman in January.
Fran Caliari-Pearce has been CEO as half her clinics closed for over 100 days in Auckland.