Zespri smuggling defence doubts, Meridian’s low price, treat TPP with caution and drug company goes global

Internal documents cast doubts on kiwifruit marketer Zespri’s defence against Chinese smuggling allegations.

In a special investigation in today’s National Business Review print edition, Jamie Ball reveals Zespri has previously referred to its Chinese sales as being on consignment, in contrast to testimony given to a Chinese court last year.

The internal documents include proof of significant rebates to its Shanghai-based importer, Neuhof Trade Co, whose employee Lie Xiongjie has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Business editor Duncan Bridgeman details what factors turned off investors from buying Meridian Energy shares.

Columnist Neville Bennett says Trade Minister Tim Groser is running a gross deception on China’s likely involvement in the Trans Pacific Partnership, and how New Zealand should be treading more carefully.

Meanwhile, AFT Pharmaceuticals says sales of its codeine-free pain relief pill Maxigesic will propel it past Douglas Pharmaceuticals in New Zealand this year – and how it is considering a share float to help expand globally.

Political editor Rob Hosking sits down with Finance Minister Bill English to discuss a third term, the government’s focus and when the next recession might arrive.

Auckland International Airport and the tourism industry at large are bracing itself for a bumper summer season, after an early lift-off in September.

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Kim Campbell argues for careful policy intervention to encourage local processing of New Zealand logs.

Property editor Chris Hutching reports Pacific Property Fund’s plans for the $7.8 million it wants to raise, and the unlisted Tauranga-based company’s long term plans.

Business reporter David Williams reveals the New Zealand golf open’s links to Japanese business, with two big company heads – and the wife of one of Japan’s top politicians – likely to play in the tournament’s pro-am.

In brief:

• Shoeshine traverses the exit this week of two Australian investment funds – Quadrant Private Equity and Retirement Villages Group – from New Zealand retirement village companies, and what it means for private equity in this country;
• Margin Call assesses the political implications of a change of government on SkyCity’s expansion plans;
• In Initiative Matters, Oliver Hartwich hatches some novel ideas to reform the “odd” economics Nobel Prize.

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