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 …

Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai has given a strong indication that New Zealand will stay at the front of the queue despite a flurry of countries seeking free trade deals with his nation. In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Bo said there were at least 10 or even 30 countries “who were willing to talk about an FTA with …