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Underlining just how much in thrall of Washington global financial markets are right now, US stocks and the euro sold off after U.S. House Speaker and senior Republican John Boehner said there had been “no substantive progress” in talks to avoid the fiscal cliff. Boehner made the comments after speaking with President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, saying …

Japanese car brands at the Guangzhou auto show admit to difficult sales in China in a year which has seen violent protests over territorial disputes with Japan in the South and East China seas. Other foreign brands report growing sales in the world’s biggest car market

By Brierley Penn Food quality and security is becoming an increasing priority for Indonesia’s rapidly expanding middle class. This provides great potential for New Zealand firms to meet the growing demand in this market, particularly if they are able to differentiate themselves through the integrity of their products. It also creates a further opportunity to move up the value chain …

A giant cow bell, crafted especially for the occasion, will be used to ring in the launch of Trading Among Farmers on the NZX at Fonterra’s Darfield site at midday. Fonterra Southern Operations Engineering Manager, Greg Millane says the large stainless steel bell was based on an old cowbell and was commissioned with the help of Fonterra’s team at its …

Business Insider – The Bush family is, without a doubt, both polarizing and prominent. With the exception of the Kennedys, the Bushes have the distinction of being America’s foremost political dynasty. Bushes have served in both the executive and legislative branches of our federal government — the family provided a pair of Presidents – the 41st and 43rd, and have held …

New Zealand shares edged up to a new five-year high as Sky Network Television surprised investors with a special dividend and Tower said it would return capital to shareholders after the sale of its medical insurance business. The NZX 50 Index rose 4.61 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4016.77, the highest since the start of January 2008. Within the index, …

In her report on fracking, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, suggested tougher rules for oil and gas workers may improve protection for the public and the environment.  Listen here

By Brierley Penn Potential was the common theme underlying the speech of the Prime Minister, and in fact, the conference as a whole, at the Indonesia Forum. New Zealand’s relationship with Indonesia is one of strength, however, it is imperative to build upon this further to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the region’s growth. Key cited Indonesia’s high growth …

With another round of TPP negotiations beginning  in Auckland a dialogue amongst ourselves about TPP is helpful. This is important in these times of austerity when transparency is at a premium, because it was after all a conspicuous absence of transparency in  financial oversight that  created much of the  present economic turmoil. Inside NZ itself  TPP has been presented throughout …

By Brierley Penn New Zealand is not only losing its own students to Australia, but we’re also missing out when it comes to attracting foreign students to our shores. Each year, more then 1.7 million students graduate from high schools in Indonesia – many of whom look at attaining an international tertiary qualification. While Australia was able to attract 17, …