By Pattrick Smellie Sept. 23 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand negotiators are “holding our ground” in talks to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade and investment treaty with some improved access expected for dairy exports to the highly protected markets of North America and Japan, says Trade Minister Tim Groser. He acknowledged that comments from Prime Minister John Key on Monday, that whatever deal was achieved …

By Pattrick Smellie Sept. 23 (BusinessDesk) – Christchurch City Council is rolling out the welcome mat for Guoxin International Co, one of China’s largest infrastructure development companies, which is committing to raise a US$2 billion fund for investment projects in the city as it enters the mature phase of its post-earthquake reconstruction. While the letter of cooperation and friendship signed between Guoxin …

By Margreet Dietz Sept. 22 (BusinessDesk) – Wall Street rose along with equities in Europe, though gave up some of its earlier gains as shares of drug makers dropped on a tweet by Hilary Clinton that she will detail a plan to curb “price gouging.” Adding to rate hawks, US Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart said he …