Where did all the IPOs go? No danger in Aussie reform - Intueri, lobbyists lick lips over ETS review

In NBR Print today: Sixteen companies listed on the NZX [NZX: NZX] last year to raise $5 billion, the most in a decade. This year, the number dwindled to two. Calida Smylie investigates why the tap suddenly turned off.

Reform of how private training is funded and regulated in Australia will not affect Intueri Education Group’s [NZX: IQE] business across the Ditch, chief executive Rob Facer tells Tim Hunter. NZX-listed Intueri, whose shares have been decimated by news of a regulatory review in New Zealand, garners substantial revenue from Vet-Fee Help, which the Australian government froze funding to this week.

Fresh economic data is making it more difficult for the Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler to cut interest rates next week, reports Rob Hosking. The economy is tracking better than expected with forward-looking indicators such as this week’s ANZ Bank [NZX: ANZ] business outlook showing firms are in expansionist mode again, with both hiring and investment intentions rising.

Meanwhile, Reserve Bank insiders will run both sides of the OCR debate before making a decision, says analyst Christian Hawkesby.

The crisis of 2008 seems like it sits in the distant past most days, but all the different “fixes” to the world system haven’t taken, writes Nathan Smith. Unless brave new economic ideas can be implemented – coupled with an equally courageous political will – the true consequences of the global financial crisis for the world may be waiting around the corner.

Meanwhile, Michae Coote says retirement savers may need to sock a lot more away to fund future lifestyle if new predictions about expected investment returns prove accurate.

Lobbyists and law firms are licking their lips as business sectors look to plead their case on a government review of the Emissions Trading Scheme. And, as Shoeshine points out, the government has given only two and a half months over summer for submissions on what could be a billion-dollar redistribution programme as it looks to tighten the settings of the scheme.

Wellington Airport’s $300m runway extension is a tough sell, argues Tim Hunter in Hunter’s Corner. Paying no tax while seeking huge taxpayer subsidies won’t make the job easier for proponents of Wellington’s long-haul ambitions, he says.

This week’s cancellation of RadioLive’s Sunday Business programme is both an example of a shift in the media industry and a boost to NBR’s own radio ambitions, reports Nick Grant.

A Manurewa High School partnership linking students with business studies and opportunities has been signed off by NBR Rich Lister John Hynds. Chelsea Armitage reports.

Will Xero [NZX: XRO] protect your financial data from prying government eyes, unless it’s legally compelled to spill the beans? It’s a difficult question and one that Xero doesn’t seem to want to answer, Jenny Ruth writes.

New Zealand’s biggest competitive advantage isn’t water, or dairy or grass, the departing head of the country’s largest business organisation says. “Our biggest competitive advantage is we’re the least corrupt country in the world,” outgoing Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O’Reilly tells Rob Hosking.

New figures have revealed China’s decision to abandon its one-child policy will be of more benefit to New Zealand’s dairy industry than was originally forecasted. Jason Walls reports.

Don’t miss: NBR Special Report: Spotlight on Queenstown

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