Business

Port of Tauranga Ltd paid tribute to logistics industry figure Simon Tapper today as it announced the purchase of Tapper Transport for $15 million.

The Serious Fraud Office has begun an investigation into Capital + Merchant Finance following a referral from Grant Thornton, the receivers of companies within the Capital + Merchant Group.

The banking ombudsman has warned people using eftpos and cash machines to take care to hide their personal identification (PIN) numbers, following an increase in complaints to the office.

The $1.3 billion Kupe Gas Project in Taranaki was officially opened today by Prime Minister John Key.

Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Kathmandu Holdings reported a 27.5% lift in half year revenues to $106.6 million, saying the result came in an improved retail environment and reflected new stores and a strong Christmas promotion.

The New Zealand dollar rose to an eight-week high against the greenback, as the United States currency fell against higher-yielding currencies after the Federal Reserve's commitment to low interest rates yesterday prompted investors to seek higher returns elsewhere.

New Zealand motorists should receive some protection from sharp rises in the price of petrol at the pump as a sluggish United States economy and a continuing low dollar keep interest rates stable in the US.

Competition among meat companies for a diminishing number of prime lambs is keeping prices higher than they should be.

Rising interest rates and petrol prices, along with worsening unemployment combined to knock the confidence of consumers in the March quarter.

Fruit and vegetable growers fear they will be the losers if a plan to increase GST goes ahead.