What's been announced ahead of Budget Day
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver the govt's Budget 2026 on Thursday. Here is everything that has been announced.
Business
Reserve Bank leaves official cash rate unchanged
Reserve Bank leaves official cash rate unchanged
The Reserve Bank has held the OCR unchanged at 2.25% in a split vote, but warned it will have to raise to counter surging inflation caused by the Middle East conflict.
Is Trade Me struggling amid Facebook rise?
Is Trade Me struggling amid Facebook rise?
Trade Me has long been the dominant force in New Zealanders' secondhand buying and selling habits but is that changing?
Contact signs deal to restart potline at Tiwai aluminium smelter
Contact signs deal to restart potline at Tiwai aluminium smelter
Contact Energy has signed an agreement with Rio Tinto to deliver the power necessary to restart the Line 4 potline at the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai.
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Ocho stable, but ‘head just above water’
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Ocho stable, but ‘head just above water’
The board chairman of Ocho says he is ‘‘very confident’’ the Dunedin craft chocolate company has stabilised nearly two years after a failed bid of liquidation.
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Delegation tastes fruit of their farmers’ labour
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Delegation tastes fruit of their farmers’ labour
A Papua New Guinea trade delegation visiting Dunedin had the ‘‘rare privilege’’ of seeing their cocoa beans come to life in chocolate bar form.
Why more homeowners will face higher bills soon
Why more homeowners will face higher bills soon
Property data firm Cotality is warning that increasing numbers of New Zealand mortgage holders will face higher costs over the next six to 12 months.
Govt to target back-office staff to slash billions
Govt to target back-office staff to slash billions
The government is looking at centralising back-office operations like human resources, payroll and IT systems in a bid to cut duplication and save billions of dollars.
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Mystery surrounds restaurant for sale in city
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Mystery surrounds restaurant for sale in city
As Dunedin hospitality businesses continue to change hands, mystery surrounds the identity of one restaurant on offer by an anonymous seller.
Political donations linked to fast-track applications revealed
Political donations linked to fast-track applications revealed
More than $1 million in political donations linked to fast-tracked projects have been made since 2022, including in Queenstown and the West Coast.
Gas supply: Businesses welcome govt loan scheme
Gas supply: Businesses welcome govt loan scheme
Gas supply is running out and businesses are being forced to make tough calls or risk closing entirely, according to BusinessNZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association.
Dairy season tipped be less profitable
Dairy season tipped be less profitable
Dairy farmers are facing a less prosperous year as a new payout is accompanied by higher farm costs.
Chch to Rarotonga flights start
Chch to Rarotonga flights start
A midwinter holiday break is being made easier for South Island passengers on a new flight direct from Christchurch to Rarotonga.
Govt to offer loans to help businesses reduce gas dependence
Govt to offer loans to help businesses reduce gas dependence
Businesses will be able to access cheaper loans to help reduce their dependence on gas as part of a new scheme in Thursday's Budget.
Budget 2026 about getting the books in order
Budget 2026 about getting the books in order
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has yet to pen a catchy title for this week's Budget, but ASB senior economist Mark Smith already has a suggestion.
Worst of war's economic impact yet to come, economist says
Worst of war's economic impact yet to come, economist says
The worst is yet to come for New Zealand households feeling the impact of the Middle East conflict, ASB warns.
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Dunedin travel agent wins top industry title at awards ceremony
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Dunedin travel agent wins top industry title at awards ceremony
A veteran Dunedin travel agent says she was brought to tears when announced as the winner of a national industry award.
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Good on ya mate: Speight’s hits 150
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Good on ya mate: Speight’s hits 150
The 150-year legacy of New Zealand’s oldest brewery would not have been possible without the support of the people of Dunedin, its owner, Lion, says.
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Good mates make Speight’s ‘an icon’
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Good mates make Speight’s ‘an icon’
Even after 150 years, Speight’s workers say the company is still filled with colourful characters, each with a story.
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Downturn in trade, tax debt leads to Octagon bar's liquidation
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Downturn in trade, tax debt leads to Octagon bar's liquidation
The shareholders of a company running a long-standing restaurant-bar in the Octagon ploughed significant amounts into the venture before going into liquidation.