Lobby Group silent on mystery $7m, Hotchin’s defends claim and Weldon’s plan for MediaWorks

Federated Farmers is refusing to explain the exact origins of $7.45 million in “other revenue” it has recorded since 2008, as PwC auditors flag “significant financial reporting matters” with the country’s largest lobby group. Jamie Ball reports.

Mark Hotchin’s lawyer wants to see the Financial Markets Authority investigation file on Hanover as part of an attempt to poke holes in the regulator’s case. Courts reporter Victoria Young is in the High Court.

MediaWorks chairman Rod McGeoch remarked this week that former NZX chief executive Mark Weldon has as many degrees as a thermometer. The question is though, how will he run a media company like MediaWorks and generate a sustainable investment return for the current shareholders? Chief reporter Duncan Bridgeman discusses this and more.

Business reporter Nick Grant talks to new Mega chief executive Graham Gaylard, who admits he has a a bit of a learning curve ahead of him.

Investors are pulling out of junk bonds amid potential interest rate hikes and falling yields. Business reporter Calida Smylie finds out what this means for KiwiSaver funds prone to dabbling in high-yield fixed interest securities as part of their global portfolios.

Shoeshine takes a view on Gentrack’s handling of its profit downgrade and the disclosure of Christchurch City’s takeover offer for Lyttelton Port. Also revealed is the broking house that snapped up Lyttelton shares in the half hour before a trading halt went on.

In Margin Call, Nevil Gibson reflects on New Zealand start-up companies, including Orion Health currently being advised by two sharebrokers ahead of a possible IPO.

Property reporter Chris Hutching says recent large transactions give CBRE the lead in big office deals.

Technology editor Chris Keall covers the brouhaha over Slingshot’s advertisements this week, putting the spotlight on Netflix’s threat to traditional broadcasters.

Former revenue minister Peter Neilsen is fronting a campaign saying most people do not realise they are being overtaxed on their long-term savings through “stealth taxes.”

Michael Coote says accusations of racism are getting bandied about thick and fast ahead of the 2014 general election.

Meanwhile, in politics, Rob Hosking canvasses MMP and the limits of tactical voting in his Order Paper column

Briefly:

• Neville Bennett sheds a tear for Argentina
• Ad Media reporter Campbell Gibson looks at political party advertising
• Jacqueline Rowarth berates science soundbites in the media

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