'Secret' critical minerals talks slammed
Opposition parties are criticising the coalition for having "secret" talks with the US about the supply of rare and critical minerals.
Business
CODC would receive $1.25m in Santana road access deal
CODC would receive $1.25m in Santana road access deal
The CODC could be in line to receive $1.25 million per year from Santana Minerals Ltd as part of an agreement that would grant access to council-owned roads for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project.
‘Market is finding its feet again’
‘Market is finding its feet again’
While real estate asking prices are climbing in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, new listings across Otago and Southland are on the decline.
Interest rates relief for homeowners on way
Interest rates relief for homeowners on way
Interest rates might have started to rise but what home loan borrowers pay in interest is likely to keep falling through this year.
Merino wool making big waves in US market
Merino wool making big waves in US market
Merino bra and underwear sales are on the rise as fast-growing United States company Branwyn becomes familiar with the fine wool’s home in the Mackenzie Basin.
Seaweed plastic alternative in works
Seaweed plastic alternative in works
University student Olivia Cooper is closing in on a long-held dream to help reduce climate change with a business start-up turning seaweed into plastic-free packaging.
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Dunedin homeware store to close after hard 2025
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Dunedin homeware store to close after hard 2025
The owner of a Dunedin homeware store closing less than a year after it opened says she underestimated how tough the retail sector would be.
Top-performing KiwiSaver fund revealed
Top-performing KiwiSaver fund revealed
Warnings of impending share market doom didn't play out in 2025, and the year ended with solid returns for KiwiSaver investors - and some change at the top of the performance tables.
Royal surprise for local loom business
Royal surprise for Canterbury loom business
A Canterbury business was royally delighted to watch a video of Princess Kate weaving on one of its looms take off on social media.
Rival parties join forces to get slavery bill heard
Rival parties join forces to get slavery bill heard
A new process to skip the lottery of the 'biscuit tin' is being used for the first time because coalition partner ACT refused to support a government bill.
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Third generation painter joins the family business
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Third generation painter joins the family business
Some people get plastered on the weekends, but Matthew Sims spends all week doing it — and sometimes he gets quite a bit of paint on him as well.
'No splashing the cash' on Budget Day
'No splashing the cash' on Budget Day
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced when she will deliver this year's Budget.
OCR increase could be considered in May: economist
OCR increase could be considered in May: economist
It is possible that the official cash rate could be up for discussion as early as May, one forecaster says.
Air NZ flight attendants plan three-day strike
Air NZ flight attendants plan three-day strike
A union says problems with Air New Z's planes and services are creating extra headaches for staff at 38,000 feet.
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals surge in 2025
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals surge in 2025
Thousands more withdrawals were made from KiwiSaver for hardship reasons last year than in 2024, and providers say there's no sign of the rate slowing.
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Owner forced to close due to surgery complications
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Owner forced to close due to surgery complications
Health complications and surgery wait times have forced the owner of a Dunedin second-hand clothing store to give up her dream job.
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Student bar’s compliance woes: Bog licensed until October despite two incidents
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Student bar’s compliance woes: Bog licensed until October despite two incidents
A central Dunedin pub with a history of locking fire exits has been granted another reprieve after police were abused by patrons during a drunken 21st.
Changing when we use power could save billions: report
Changing when we use power could save billions: report
A quarter of NZ's peak electricity use could be shifted to times of lower demand, lowering household bills and saving up to $3b in infrastructure investment, a new report says.
Job market improving, bodes well for employment: BNZ
Job market improving, bodes well for employment: BNZ
The jobs market is showing early signs of improvement, according to BNZ, which it said should lead to lower unemployment by the middle of the year.
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Coach to tackle cafe ownership
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Coach to tackle cafe ownership
With a resume that includes coaching for the Highlanders and Black Ferns, Riki Flutey expects his sporting expertise will come in handy manning the helm of a Dunedin cafe.