What's left for Little's Labour? Hotchin ponders return, Dick plans $100m wireless network

In NBR Print today: An increasingly narrow, inward-looking defensive and incoherent Labour Party is struggling for relevance in the 21^st century. Rob Hosking asks what’s Left for Labour. Can it get over its “born to preach” view of the world?

NBR Rich Lister Malcolm Dick is planning a launch a new wireless network, called Blue Reach, with the first phase going live by the end of this year. The telecommunications entrepreneur has a five-year plan to extend Blue Reach around the country, which he estimates will cost $100 million. Chris Keall reports.

City councils are mulling ways to promote equity release style products to help home-owning pensioners pay rising rates bills, reports Tim Hunter.

Hanover co-founder Mark Hotchin is understood to be contemplating returning to New Zealand or Australia to live. Sources say he has been talking to land agents in both countries and has put his house in the plush Honolulu suburb of Diamond Head on the market for $11.8 million. Duncan Bridgeman reports.

To some people, the listed retirement stocks are simply a play on residential property. But others see the sector as having less to do with the property market than with providing essential services to the elderly, albeit with a residential property underpinning. Jenny Ruth asks analysts which of the main listed companies offer the best opportunities right now.

Meanwhile, Calida Smylie tests the pulse of the unlisted companies operating in the retirement sector.

Moody’s Sydney-based economist Faraz Syed sees turbulence ahead for the New Zealand economy. Michael Coote reports.

Meanwhile, NBR Rich Lister John Ryder is forecasting the government will do more to stimulate the economy and rely less on the Reserve Bank’s policies. Mr Ryder, who has an estimated net worth of $70 million and is the author of an upcoming book on global investment, is optimistic about New Zealand’s economic wellbeing but says some changes could be on the horizon.

NBR’s Special Feature this week: Showroom, by NBR Motoring editor Cameron Officer.

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

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