In the aftermath of the 2005 election, the business community expressed admiration for Prime Minister Helen Clark’s political abilities, but skepticism about Finance Minister Michael Cullen’s plans for economic transformation. A broad range of commercial issues arose in the comments of those surveyed, including the impact of the removal of Telecom’s broadband monopoly, the ramifications of considerable inflation levels, the …

The Mood of the Boardroom 2005 tackled a range of business issues pertinent to the election of that year. The emergence of John Key was noticeable, with much support for the National Party’s new finance spokesperson in comparison to then-Minister of Finance Michael Cullen. In particular, the business community expressed strong support for asset sales and lamented New Zealand’s shortage …

FRAN O’SULLIVAN talks free trade with China’s Commerce Minister  Bo Xilai, the Chinese Commerce Minister – and in the judgment of some a man destined for the premier’s suite – has been quick to use New Zealand’s recognition of China as a “market economy” in negotiations with bigger countries. Since Prime Minister Helen Clark made her April 14 announcement, Singapore …