Family battle with bank, Spark faces legal action, IRD targets GST

A large-scale dairy farmer who issued Court proceedings against ANZ [NZX:ANZ] over its Rural Growth Fund (RGF) is warning against certain types of equity partnerships in the rural sector. Jamie Ball investigates.

The University of Auckland has moved to protect its own Spark brand, by opposing a trademark bid made by the company previously known as Telecom, Spark New Zealand [NZX.SPK] Victoria Young reports.

Inland Revenue is reconsidering an approach to GST, which has the bizarre outcome of allowing firms which raise capital offshore a rebate, but not firms which raise funds locally. Rob Hosking has the story.

Those arguing over the future of the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust (AECT) are gearing up for the resumption of rhetorical hostilities following a summer hiatus, reports Nick Grant.

Profit guidance advice is a valuable investor tool for assessing whether a company is on track or going off it. Nevil Gibson casts an eye over Orion Health’s [NZX:OHE] dissapointing latest cash flow announcement and Heartland NZ’s [NZX:HNZ] big lift in profit.

Modest growth is expected for the 49 companies releasing results this upcoming reporting season, on the back of a positive macroeconomic backdrop and low interest rates, writes business reporter Calida Smylie.

Investors can probably expect lower returns over the next five years compared to the previous phenomenal five, but that’s not to say the good times are over just yet. A survey by Anon Hewitt shows which fund managers have performed the best. Duncan Bridgeman reports.

Meanwhile, Shoeshine sees some big changes happening in the local funds management industry that could have major ramifications for the capital markets.

Underlying the Reserve Bank’s decision to put off interest rate rises indefinitely is a rare combination of events, writes Rob Hosking

Consumers can look forward to a bit of extra padding in their bank accounts as a result of lower petrol prices but not all of the extra income will translate into spending. Jason Walls reports.

Auckland-based Pingar has just signed a major deal with a Fortune 200 company for its DiscoveryOne document management software. Technology editor Chris Keall catches up with founder Peter Wren-Hilton.

It is accepted that writers have an important role as the critics of society. But once in a while, society is going to take a swipe back, if only to enter into the spirit of the thing. Rob Hosking wades into the Eleanor Catton debate.

Lower prices from productivity gains and lower import prices relative to export prices are a good thing, says guest columnist Bryce Wilkinson.

All this and more in today’s National Business Review. Out now.