Printing industry’s ticking time-bomb, Crimson under fire, the beginning of Brexit’s ‘phoney war’

In NBR Print today: The vicious five-year price war Fuji Xerox has waged on both sides of the Tasman may yet topple many small businesses, leading print industry figures say. They claim the beleaguered company has begun strictly enforcing contracts with its customers, and fear many will be unable to pay their debts. Karyn Scherer follows up her recent investigation of the company’s accounting practices with an in-depth look at the flow on effects to the wider industry.

Concerns have been raised that New Zealand is not preparing for the inevitable advance of artificial intelligence, reports Calida Smylie. There is a 50% chance AI will surpass average human intelligence within 24 years, rising to 90% by 2076, according to an Oxford University study. AI will cause major issues in almost every sector, Institute of Directors CEO Simon Arcus says.

Following scepticism over its valuation, Crimson Consulting is copping criticism for the onerous non-compete and restraint of trade clauses it’s imposing on its contractors.Insisting on young tutors signing up to a 12-month restraint of trade “far exceeds what is reasonable for an independent contract,” according to solicitor Jennifer Walsh, who says it would be excessive even in an employee agreement. Campbell Gibson reports.

A partial takeover offer for NZX-listed Airwork proposed by obscure Chinese company Zheijiang Rifa is a sign of a missed opportunity for New Zealand investors, writes Tim Hunter in Hunter’s Corner. If successful, the offer will leave Airwork 75% owned by an overseas company with negligible experience of aviation. Minority investors will be in a poor position as a result.

The 20th anniversary of the first MMP election is time to take stock – not just of the system itself but what caused it to be adopted, writes Rob Hosking. In viewing Europe’s economic and political deadlock, and the rage-fuelled campaigns that produced the Brexit vote and the candidacies of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, New Zealanders can look on and say, “been there, done that.”

Theresa May’s pledge to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March 2017 effectively began the manoeuvring for position that precedes the start of open hostilities, writes Michael Coote. The UK will adopt a “divide and rule” strategy to prevent agreement against its interests by the EU’s disunited members.

All this and more in today's NBR Print Edition. Out now.