Inflation set to top 5%; interest rate cut likely
Inflation set to top 5%; interest rate cut likely
Inflation is expected to have gone over 5% for the first time in 18 years when figures for the September quarter are released tomorrow morning.
Dene Mackenzie
Largesse or restraint the big issue
Largesse or restraint the big issue
The election has already come down to whether voters want Labour to spend money the country does not have on things we might need, or National's plans for financial restraint.
Low-key visit for National leader
Low-key visit for National leader
National Party leader John Key was in Dunedin yesterday but not too many people would have been aware of it.
National to 'stocktake' expenditure
National to 'stocktake' expenditure
A National government would take the knife to some of the public sector, warning state department chief executives that if they did not cut back, they would not spend on any new projects.
Cullen says super fund not a 'piggy bank'
Cullen says super fund not a 'piggy bank'
National Party leader John Key was proposing to establish a $10 billion private piggy bank for a future minister of finance's pet projects, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said yesterday.
Candidate finds not all equal in MMP numbers game
Candidate finds not all equal in MMP numbers game
Act New Zealand's Dunedin North candidate Hilary Calvert faces something of a dilemma as she campaigns in this election.
Changes quick fix; inequities remain: Deloitte
Changes quick fix; inequities remain: Deloitte
Labour is proposing a temporary quick fix to the problems surrounding the underpayment of provisional tax, Deloitte Dunedin tax partner Steve Thompson says.
Plans likely to affect share holders
Plans likely to affect share holders
Telecom's plans to spend more than $500 million on a new mobile network was welcome news for telecommunication users, but came at the expense of shareholders, ABN Amro Craigs broker Chris Timms said last night.
Benson-Pope will not stand
Benson-Pope will not stand
Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope yesterday ended months of speculation by announcing he would not contest the general election.
Narrow victory for Key in debate
Narrow victory for Key in debate
Law and order questions proved to be the turning point for National Party leader John Key last night during the Television New Zealand-YouTube election debate with Prime Minister Helen Clark.
OECD aim revisited
OECD aim revisited
Finacnce Minister Michael Cullen was yesterday rehashing a former Labour Party goal to lift New Zealand into the top half of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in terms of per capital GDP.
One door closes for MP, others sure to open
One door closes for MP, others sure to open
David Benson-Pope seems unlikely to fade away into obscurity when he stops being the MP for Dunedin South on November 8.
Parental income test to go
Parental income test to go
More than 1000 University of Otago students cheered and applauded the announcement by Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday that the parental income test for student allowances would be phased out if Labour was returned to power.
Design Institute deal welcomed
Design Institute deal welcomed
The collaboration between the Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago and the Dunedin City Council was an example for the rest of the country to follow, polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker said yesterday.
Doubters even as four big banks sign up to scheme
Doubters even as four big banks sign up to scheme
Doubts emerged yesterday about the quality of the Government's scheme guaranteeing bank retail deposits.
Lavish spending promises attacked
Lavish spending promises attacked
Labour and National clashed yesterday over the costing of election promises and whether either party would borrow more to fund them.
Students give PM rock star welcome
Students give PM rock star welcome
It's official. Helen Clark is a babe. Not only did the Prime Minister almost kiss a baby at the University of Otago yesterday, but seemingly besotted young men were wearing "Helen Clark is a Babe" badges.
Global financial tsunami engulfs Govt surpluses
Global financial tsunami engulfs Govt surpluses
Four months ago, the Government had $2 billion in cash sitting on its books. Now, it is projecting a $6 billion deficit for next year.
Dunedin to get design institute
Dunedin to get design institute
New Zealand's first design institute is set to be launched in Dunedin soon.
Parties turn attention to student vote
Parties turn attention to student vote
The importance of the student vote to the fortunes of political parties will be reinforced today when Prime Minister Helen Clark addresses a forum at the University of Otago.