The Mood of the Boardroom in 2004 was broadly upbeat, with optimism about the prospects for international economic growth and stability as well as political movements to create a single market with Australia. However, underlying concerns regarding domestic growth were still on the mind for many CEOs.

New Zealand is on track to become the first Western nation to strike a free-trade deal with China after the Government told Beijing it recognised its “market economy” status. Negotiations on a deal that will greatly improve access for New Zealand agricultural exporters to the vast Chinese market are expected to begin early next year. Unlike most other countries, New …

Should New Zealand move quickly to recognise China’s status as a “market economy” to strike an advantaged relationship with the world’s rising economic superpower? That question is not top of the agenda for the Seriously Asia forum in Parliament this week – but it is one of the goals up for debate. Access to Asia’s growth motor, and the concessions …