The Supreme Court has rejected a bid by two Christchurch firms to appeal a decision relating to the way Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee used his powers over land zoning in Christchurch, saying it would be “inappropriate” for the bench to give advisory opinions on how minsters exercise their powers. Independent Fisheries and Clearwater Land Holdings were seeking leave to …

Fonterra Cooperative Group, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, has appointed Singaporean director Simon Israel to its board to replace the retiring Ralph Waters. Israel will join the Fonterra board on May 1, replacing Waters who stayed on with the dairy group to help bed in the changes from the Trading Among Farmers regime. His appointment comes as Fonterra looks increasingly …

The Labour and Green parties have promised to rip up the existing electricity market model, returning to a centrally planned electricity system, a single state-owned power buyer, and breaking up the integrated generator-retailer electricity companies. Announced on the eve of the partial privatisation of state-owned MightyRiverPower, the announcements have a triple political purpose: to show a united Labour-Green front, a …