Dene Mackenzie

Prime Minister Helen Clark faces a dilemma: sack New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as Minister of Foreign Affairs or face a growing perception she is prepared to hold on to power at any cost.

Labour may have only three MPs south of Christchurch after the election, judging from the party list released yesterday.

Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope remains coy about his future after the Labour Party list released yesterday did not contain his name.

Climate change is firmly on the election campaign agenda after New Zealand First and the Green Party this week backed Labour, allowing Prime Minister Helen Clark's prized emissions trading legislation to proceed through Parliament.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters last night proved the old adage of be careful what you wish for, when the Serious Fraud Office took him at his word.

The political career of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters hangs by a thread as Prime Minister Helen Clark prepares to meet her Foreign Affairs Minister this morning to hear his explanation about a Serious Fraud Office investigation.

Controversy continues to whirl around him, but New Zealand First leader Winston Peters will today be in the familiar role of kingmaker as the Government awaits his decision on whether or not his party will support its emissions trading scheme.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons yesterday said her party's support for Labour's emission trading scheme was based on the setting up of a $1 billion fund to be spent over about 15 years on insulating homes and making them more energy efficient.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters again took centre stage at Parliament yesterday and is likely to be the main attraction when the House resumes this afternoon.

Nearly 20 New Zealand companies will report their annual profit results this week, a busy time, even though it is the middle of the June reporting season.

The future of Cadbury Confectionery is more secure than it had been in the past 20 years, Economic Development Minister and Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson said yesterday.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare provided some welcome good news for the sharemarket yesterday and the share price reflected investor confidence in the company.

There is no financial gain for New Zealanders to return money locked in Australian superannuation funds back to this country unless the Government makes significant changes to the tax system, consulting firm Mercer says.

Ten NZX-listed companies will this week announce their financial results, with analysts and investors paying close attention to the outlooks for the coming financial year.

Falling interest rates improved housing affordability in July in every area of New Zealand except Central Otago Lakes, which remains by far the most unaffordable place to buy a home.

The National Party's energy policy would be a positive influence for New Zealand listed energy and utility stocks, ABN Amro Craigs broker Chris Timms said yesterday.

National Party campaign chairman Steven Joyce could be a broadcasting minister in waiting after being ranked 16th on the party's list, released yesterday.