Emerging from recession, CEOs called for ambitious economic policies, such as cuts to the corporate tax rate, mining of conservation land, and the partial privatisation of state assets. Politically, the Cabinet rated strongly, but the push for fiscal tightening to get the Government’s books under control remained, particularly with respect to schemes considered to be ‘middle class welfare’.

Prime Minister John Key secured China’s backing for New Zealand’s bid to win a seat on the United Nation’s Security Council during private talks with the man who is tipped as next in line to run the world’s most populous country. That was the main diplomatic take from the three-day visit by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping that winds up in …

Trade Minister Tim Groser has chalked up a victory in New Zealand’s long quest for a free trade deal with the emerging economic powerhouse of Russia. Let’s just call it “China redux”. The smart geo-politicking by New Zealand’s bevy of trade ministers and officials over nearly a decade has paved the way for this country to form a bilateral FTA …