Roading revamp equals highway robbery, Sealegs’ fight with bellicose billionaire, Season’s greetings

In NBR Print today:

In Part 2 of NBR’s special investigation, Karyn Scherer writes a new focus on the billions of dollars that central and local government spend each year on roads has prompted a radical shake-up of the civil construction industry. NZTA has slashed its highway contracts from more than 300 to just 23.  And councils have also been urged to review their spending on roads, after a decade-long blowout.But some fear the shake-up could increase, rather than decrease, the potential for corruption.

Tim Hunter writes  NZX-listed Sealegs may have won a High Court injunction this week but in doing so it has provoked the wrath of “pain in the ass Yankee” John W “Jack” Baker. The billionaire considers the injunction an obstruction of his contractual rights. “If they interfere, Sealegs will get sued – by me,” he says.

Nathan Smith writes Christmas came early for Kiwi cyber-security company RedShield, thanks to a successful funding round. “Selling a stake to Sage Technologies – owned by well-connected billionaire tech investor Harald McPike – means the company is now well positioned to be the next New Zealand high-growth technology story.”

The haul of medals brought home from the Rio games by Kiwi Paralympians – including Liam Malone’s three – exceeded the target of Paralympics New Zealand. But Campbell Gibson writes that that performance is rivalled by the organisation’s success in attracting commercial sponsors, making it less reliant on taxpayer money at the same time as it is rewarded with more government funding.

Rodney Hide says the founders of Free the Nipple stirringly describe their organisation as “a global movement of equality, empowerment and freedom.” “The evidence, however, suggests they are hypocrites anxious to trumpet their rights while trampling those of others. After all, although staring and ogling show bad manners, they aren’t unlawful activities in a public place.”

This issue is the final edition of this year, with the first issue of the New Year on Friday, January 27.

Those seeking a respite from “silly season” reportage will be relieved to know that, as in past years, NBR ONLINE will continue running through the holidays with business stories as well as coverage of topical issues.

Meanwhile, NBR Radio will be playing the best audio clips of 2016, packaged on its own internet stream and via iHeartRadio, Tunein, iTunes and SoundCloud.

NBR’s head office in Auckland will be closed from today and will re-open on Monday January 16.

In the meantime, NBR’s publisher and staff wish all subscribers, readers and advertisers a safe and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

All this and more in today’s NBR print edition. Out now.