NBR | Independent business news, Finance, Investment, Tech, Law

Thu 08 Oct 2026 11:31:16am

MARKET MOVEMENTS

Thu 08 Oct 2026 11:31:16am

MARKET MOVEMENTS

Top Story

Tech & Innovation

Top honour goes to ‘hands-on champion’ in innovation awards

Dr Gavin Ross has been recognised in the annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.

Fiona Rotherham Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Tech & Innovation

Top honour goes to ‘hands-on champion’ in innovation awards

Dr Gavin Ross has been recognised in the annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.

Fiona Rotherham Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Investors have had a lukewarm response to the share offer, citing execution risk and concerns over debt levels.

Investment

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Investors have had a lukewarm response to the share offer, citing execution risk and concerns over debt levels.

Lachlan Colquhoun Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Market Close

F&P Healthcare, power companies spur late rally for NZX 50

Australia’s Firmus IPO tops the watercooler chats while NZX eyes potential candidates.

Market Close

F&P Healthcare, power companies spur late rally for NZX 50

Australia’s Firmus IPO tops the watercooler chats while NZX eyes potential candidates.

Curious News Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Politics

National proposes tougher rules for jobseekers

The plan includes random drug testing and possible benefit cuts.

Politics

National proposes tougher rules for jobseekers

The plan includes random drug testing and possible benefit cuts.

Brent Edwards Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Thu 08 Oct 2026 11:27:36am

MARKET MOVEMENTS

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF NBR HISTORY

NZ Rugby files legal action to protect the Chiefs brand

Politics

Higher revenue and lower spending boost the Government’s books

Infrastructure

Brookfield offloads port logistics firm C3 to InfraRed

General Business

Director cops maximum ban for ‘cynical’ asset transfers

Edwards on Politics

Never mind the odds, it’s what’s at stake that matters

Luxury Property

Dunphy’s Herne Bay move, Meehan downsizes, Herberts cash out

Luxury Property

Dunphy’s Herne Bay move, Meehan downsizes, Herberts cash out

General Business

Director cops maximum ban for ‘cynical’ asset transfers

Finance

Sodor Capital puts boots on the ground in NZ

General Business

Mowbray mum on Zuru’s reported Mattel tilt

Investment

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Rich List

Featured Rich Lister: Qing ‘Karl’ Ye

Shoeshine

The radical middle ground in the retirement village reform fight

Politics

National and Labour point fingers at each other’s fiscal holes

Energy

Z Energy warns 'far less room for error' as oil prices rise

Property

Senior Trust lender appoints independent directors

Investment

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Last Word

Why so defensive about defence tech?

Mowbray mum on Zuru’s reported Mattel tilt

NBR Rich Lister won’t comment on a report Zuru is eyeing a takeover of US toy rival.

Rich List

Featured Rich Lister: Qing ‘Karl’ Ye

Karl Ye’s grand plan to develop a huge residential estate and tourism venture on 350ha of land near Pōkeno has once again been thwarted with fast-track application denied.

Tech & Innovation

Dicker Data shares rise after $138m acquisition of Sektor

The deal gives the ASX-listed company an established presence in Southeast Asia.

Investment

Forsyth Barr shifts Tower to ‘outperform’

Listed insurer has lifted its underlying profit expectations due to less extreme weather this financial year.

Featured

Primary Industries

Kiwi Crunch ripples spread to Australia

An ASX-listed company and former Cherri Global owner Phil Alison are among those claiming to be owed millions.

Politics

The pros and cons of an independent policy costings agency

The election campaign is being dominated by parties making accusations about the cost of each others' policies.

Politics

The pros and cons of an independent policy costings agency

The election campaign is being dominated by parties making accusations about the cost of each others' policies.

Investment

Priorities for the next Minister for Space

Industry players are calling for a long-term vision from government for the growing space sector.

Investment

Priorities for the next Minister for Space

Industry players are calling for a long-term vision from government for the growing space sector.

Professional Services

Global volatility strengthening investor interest in NZ: survey

Simpson Grierson partner Anastasiya Gamble says the country’s attractiveness is holding up despite a global retrenchment in overseas investment.

Professional Services

Global volatility strengthening investor interest in NZ: survey

Analysis

Underarm

Investors on countdown to A$7.7b Firmus IPO

ANALYSIS: The float would give a A$43b valuation to a loss-making company with optimistic forecasts but few operational assets.

Lachlan Colquhoun Wed, 07 Oct 2026

Margin Call

Can NZ’s economy thrive without sustained lower interest rates?

ANALYSIS: A key risk is that inflation will force RBNZ to tighten policy more than domestic economy can comfortably absorb.

Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Shoeshine

The radical middle ground in the retirement village reform fight

ANALYSIS: The opposing stakeholders on the issue of repayment timeframes have legitimate concerns, but their solutions are not convincing.

Nicholas Pointon Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Book Review

Above the law: Citizens against the system

Legal academics say the pseudo-law movement shouldn’t be tolerated

Nevil Gibson Sun, 04 Oct 2026

Investment

NZX 50 joins Asia decline; Infratil stumbles on CDC valuation dip

Tower hits highest since May on broker upgrade.

Curious News Wed, 07 Oct 2026

NZX 50 ekes out small gain as Gentrack, Vista join tech rally

Infratil slides on reports of CDC’s split with Firmus.

Curious News Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Promisia’s largest shareholder sells 12.9% stake for $4.9m

Christchurch-based Gould Holdings, which counts former PGG Wrightson boss George Gould among its three directors, snapped up the shares.

Nicholas Pointon Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Economics

Trading activity muted as businesses wait and watch election

But confidence about next year has improved, according to the latest NZIER survey.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 06 Oct 2026

NZ’s opportunity as China defies global trade uncertainty

WATCH: Doomsday headlines about China’s economy are overblown as consumption and production hold steady, economist says.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Council boosts ratings on ‘decoupling’ of water debt

S&P global pushes long-term AA rating outlook to positive on materially lower ex-Watercare debt but warns that could slip on ‘materially higher’ spending plans.

Brent Melville Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Politics

Labour promises to back ‘genuine’ bank competitors

One challenger bank is not enough to take on the Big Four, commerce spokesperson Arena Williams says.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 07 Oct 2026

National releases its policy to help small businesses

The policy includes a commitment to review the compulsory GST registration threshold.

NBR Staff Wed, 07 Oct 2026

National and Labour point fingers at each other’s fiscal holes

Kieran McAnulty asks what National is going to cut to pay for its promises.

Brent Edwards Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Te Ao Māori

Ngāi Tahu, Movac partner on $40m strategy

Movac will manage Ngāi Tahu’s existing venture capital portfolio and help identify businesses the iwi can back for the long term.

Mike McRoberts Tue, 29 Sep 2026

New Aquaculture Act pitched for $10b industry

Industry and iwi leaders are being asked to help shape a standalone regime intended to attract billions of dollars into open ocean farming.

Mike McRoberts Fri, 25 Sep 2026

What is the Māori Development Fund delivering?

Governing Interest: The election will help decide the future of a reshaped fund, with promising projects but unanswered questions over what its $38m annual budget is delivering.

Mike McRoberts Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Primary Industries

Foran mulls competitive supply-demand pressure for red meat

Kroger’s new CEO says American consumers still value quality cuts of meat amid the high cost of living and rising fuel prices.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 29 Sep 2026

Fonterra hits three-year target with two years to spare

Co-op’s underlying business exceeds expectations after Mainland sale.

NBR Staff Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Jones defends smaller tarakihi cut

Moana New Zealand backs a one year reduction that keeps the eastern fishery open despite the stock falling below the official hard limit.

Mike McRoberts Tue, 22 Sep 2026

Australia

Firmus IPO launched with A$43b valuation

Firmus will sell at least A$7b in shares, making it the second-largest IPO on ASX after A$14b sale of Telstra in 1997.

Lachlan Colquhoun Fri, 02 Oct 2026

Aussie debt fund freezes redemptions after A$160m writedowns

With the private credit sector in turmoil, Asic is calling in insolvency firms for a risk roundtable.

Lachlan Colquhoun Wed, 30 Sep 2026

RBA continues the fight against inflation with another rate hike

The bank knows the economy is slowing, and is prepared to sacrifice growth to bring inflation down.

Lachlan Colquhoun Tue, 29 Sep 2026

Tech & Innovation

Going big: aerospace companies seek funding at home and abroad

Startups explore the opportunities and limitations of being a Kiwi business at last week's NZ Aerospace Summit.

Anan Zaki Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Supabase raises another US$150m

Company co-founded by Kiwi Paul Copplestone reaches US$10.65 billion valuation.

Will Mace Sat, 03 Oct 2026

BioOra raises $30m in first close of series A2 round

It has also secured a definitive licence for the rights to commercialise its Car-T cell therapy for a number of diseases.

Fiona Rotherham Fri, 02 Oct 2026

Law

Court of Appeal to rule on employment leave double-dipping

There’s contention regarding errant employers who’ve made – and are now having to offset – early advance holiday payments for staff.

Fiona Rotherham Tue, 06 Oct 2026

US multinational’s claim against Montoux gets under way

Florida-based Fidelity National Information Services has accused the Wellington-founded company, now in liquidation, of copying its software.

Nicholas Pointon Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Appeal overturns High Court on $42m insolvent transaction

Decision blocks CBL liquidators’ effort to claw back money from defunct Danish insurer.

Tim Hunter Wed, 30 Sep 2026

Finance

Speirs Finance sees ‘encouraging’ signs after April plunge

Chief executive Michelle Herlihy expects signs of recovery to show up from February next year.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 30 Sep 2026

Booster ‘conscious of sensitivities’ in bid for Lifetime

Investment manager, sued by FMA over conflicts of interest, offers to buy financial adviser part-owned by one of its funds.

Tim Hunter Tue, 29 Sep 2026

Hundreds of jobs set to be affected at ANZ NZ

The bank has confirmed it is considering changes to its technology team, including bringing together data, AI, and engineering functions.

Jonathan Mitchell Fri, 25 Sep 2026

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #124: Treasury boss Iain Rennie

LISTEN/WATCH: What does the Prefu mean for you and is it already out of date?

Simon Shepherd Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Podcast #123: Victoria Harris on bending The Curve

LISTEN/WATCH: Victoria Harris is taking a female-first approach to investing with her new managed fund named after the successful podcast, The Curve.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 29 Sep 2026

Podcast #122: Sam Stubbs vs the finance industry

LISTEN/WATCH: The founder of Simplicity celebrates 10 years of KiwiSaver and says fund manager fees should be capped by the Government.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 22 Sep 2026

General Business

Wall Street rally ends as investors fret over bonds

Australia’s Firmus faces softer valuation.

Curious News Thu, 08 Oct 2026

US, European stocks rally on retreating bond yields

Speculation emerges over future of Infratil’s One New Zealand.

Curious News Wed, 07 Oct 2026

Businessman’s financial troubles cloud bid to repay govt loan

My Action Sport, which Peter Dowell directs, owes Callaghan Innovation close to $469,000.

Nicholas Pointon Wed, 07 Oct 2026

Deals

Aussie media speculates on One NZ fibre sale

Infratil-owned telco has been restructuring its EonFibre unit as a standalone business.

NBR Staff Wed, 07 Oct 2026

NBR Rich Lister acquires remaining stake in Harker Herbals

Mark Stewart's Florenz acquired its initial cornerstone position in the natural health product firm in 2022.

NBR Staff Wed, 30 Sep 2026

NZ Health Group acquired by Fisher Funds, Direct Capital, Gagan

The acquisition for an undisclosed price is Fisher Funds’ first direct private equity deal under its expanded strategy.

Fiona Rotherham Fri, 25 Sep 2026

Governing Interest: Accommodation taxes – ruled out by National as a funding source for infrastructure and tourism marketing spend – have emerged as a central battleground ahead of the general election.

Brent Melville Thu, 17 Sep 2026

CP Group adds three more Marriott hotels to its roster

The deal marks further expansion for the wealthy Pandey family’s growing hotel portfolio, with new properties in Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington.

Brent Melville Thu, 10 Sep 2026

No bed tax, no All Black tests, Wayne Brown says

The Auckland mayor is one of several local authority heads posturing for an accommodation levy to help pay for destination marketing.

Brent Melville Thu, 10 Sep 2026

Infrastructure

Govt build rule reforms could add 85,000 homes to Auckland city

Ministry for Cities intervention won’t provide an automatic right to build, with consents still required, Government says.

Brent Melville Fri, 18 Sep 2026

Canadian Northleaf Capital takes pole position for StraitNZ

It's uncertain as to whether an earlier contender, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, remains in the mix for the Bluebridge operator, being touted at a sale price of $1 billion.

Brent Melville Wed, 16 Sep 2026

The missing Link: delays a ‘soft sell’ for project cancellation

A 12-year planning and design process for the East-West Link has already cost $142m, without a shovel in the ground, NZTA says.

Brent Melville Mon, 14 Sep 2026

Property

Senior Trust lender appoints independent directors

Under pressure from the FMA, manager's executives step off the board.

Tim Hunter Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Provincia chair rolled as accusations fly

Unlisted property fund’s shareholders vote against incumbent’s re-election after report criticises ‘excessive’ external management fees.

Tim Hunter Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Tall Poppy says its property impact is ‘the tip of the iceberg’

Owner Michael Seymour is picking residential real estate commissions will drop even further.

Fiona Rotherham Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Professional Services

ANZ sacks KPMG Australia as auditor

The move comes after the whistleblower scandal plunged the firm into turmoil, although ANZ did not mention the issue in its statement.

Lachlan Colquhoun Fri, 02 Oct 2026

Litigator launches AI-powered dispute resolution tool

Reso a response to the cost and delay of litigation, co-founder James Wollerman says.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 23 Sep 2026

Findex appoints NZ head, on track to crack $100m revenue

Brent Matuschka has been given an expanded role as the financial advisory and accounting services firm looks to accelerate.

Hamish McNicol Fri, 11 Sep 2026

NBR Focus

Only Act and Opportunity open to asset sales

Governing interest: Labour and National agree on one thing – State-owned assets won’t be privatised.

Tim Hunter Tue, 22 Sep 2026

Countering the influence of lobbying and money in politics

Governing Interest: The Green and Opportunity parties want to place tougher restrictions on both.

Brent Edwards Mon, 21 Sep 2026

The endless tug of war over tertiary education

Governing Interest: Every political party has its opinion on where tertiary education funds are best allocated – and how to keep educated talent onshore.

Kate McVicar Fri, 18 Sep 2026

Retail

Queens Arcade reopening pushed out to early next year

The central city shopping precinct backed by former Rich Listers closed earlier this year for a $5m renovation.

Kate McVicar Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Wallace Cotton mulls expanding overseas again

A previous attempt thwarted by Covid hasn’t put the company off trying another time.

Kate McVicar Mon, 31 Aug 2026

Tarocash owner reports 77% profit drop; NZ under review

The parent company of several well-known menswear brands is reassessing the scale of its local strategy.

Kate McVicar Thu, 27 Aug 2026

Luxury Property

Penthouse for a song, a slip of an island, Hawke’s Bay winery

Off-plan buyers into St Heliers Sonata paid top dollar for the luxury apartments.

Brent Melville Wed, 26 Aug 2026

Fantasy in Featherston, finding Eden, and a Bali ‘black book’

Historic Longwood estate hits the market near Martinborough, though it’s probably not on a golden visa buyer’s radar.

Brent Melville Wed, 29 Jul 2026

Albert St penthouse, golf links, or lakeside luxury

Auckland city’s $16m penthouse still comes in at less than the first completed home to hit the market at Te Arai Links.

Brent Melville Wed, 01 Jul 2026

Aviation News

Software glitch adds to delivery woes at Boeing

Carry On: Airbus A350F takes off, Skynest praise, new routes.

Nevil Gibson Sat, 03 Oct 2026

Istanbul tops megahub airport rankings amid Mid-East conflict

Carry On: Qatar loses top slot, Korean’s big Boeing order, new routes.

Nevil Gibson Sat, 26 Sep 2026

Passengers benefit from Gulf carriers’ low capacity

Carry On: Qatar expands winter schedule, Vietnam buys Airbus, Latvia’s Chapter 11.

Nevil Gibson Sat, 19 Sep 2026

Energy

Z Energy warns 'far less room for error' as oil prices rise

Chief executive Lindis Jones suggests more upward pressure on retail fuel prices.

Jonathan Mitchell Fri, 02 Oct 2026

Analysts highlight ‘exciting growth path’ for Lodestone

Although there are warnings it may take time for investors to get comfortable with how long that growth takes.

Anan Zaki Mon, 28 Sep 2026

Act Party proposes private investment in transmission

Energy policy aims to promote affordable electricity by improving competition.

NBR Staff Fri, 18 Sep 2026

Rich List

Featured Rich Listers: Smale family

Prior to his death in July, Bill Smale and his cousin Chris ended up buying a Lake Pupuke property back from liquidators in late 2025, leaving them out of pocket by $22.8m after the loan went sour.

Owen Poland Wed, 07 Oct 2026

Featured Rich Listers: Giltrap family

The Giltrap Group, founded by the late Sir Colin Giltrap, has entered the electric era.

Jonathan Mitchell Tue, 06 Oct 2026

Featured Rich Listers: Hall family

After two gongs at the 2025 Healthy Food Guide Awards, the Hall family’s Tasti brand products had a significant recall notice issued by NZ Food Safety.

Owen Poland Mon, 05 Oct 2026

Marketing & Media

MediaWorks radio sold to ASX-listed Sports Entertainment Group

Binding agreement signed at an enterprise value of $130 million for a stable of New Zealand's most popular radio stations.

Will Mace Wed, 12 Aug 2026

Stuff sells Petone printing plant to NZME

The media company said earlier this year it was closing the Wellington printing press as it consolidated print operations in Christchurch.

NBR Staff Fri, 07 Aug 2026

MediaWorks said to be up for sale as it gets back in the black

A report from across the Tasman says the radio broadcaster’s private equity owner is soliciting bids for the business.

NBR Staff Tue, 21 Apr 2026

Comings & Goings

New chief executive for Quotable Value

Former Microsoft and Plan B Technology boss Frazer Scott has been appointed to the role.

Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Returning Kiwi appointed to top technology role

Roman Reyhani will be the inaugural CEO of the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology.

Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Dentons appoints new partner in Christchurch

The law firm expects to have about 22 staff in its Christchurch office by the end of the year.

Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Top honour goes to ‘hands-on champion’ in innovation awards

Top honour goes to ‘hands-on champion’ in innovation awards

Aspiring Materials gets $15m to shore up NZ’s critical minerals

Green iron: NZ deep tech startup CullBeck raises record $20m

Free News Alerts

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

F&P Healthcare, power companies spur late rally for NZX 50

F&P Healthcare, power companies spur late rally for NZX 50

National proposes tougher rules for jobseekers

National proposes tougher rules for jobseekers

NZ Rugby files legal action to protect the Chiefs brand

Higher revenue and lower spending boost the Government’s books

Brookfield offloads port logistics firm C3 to InfraRed

Director cops maximum ban for ‘cynical’ asset transfers

Never mind the odds, it’s what’s at stake that matters

Dunphy’s Herne Bay move, Meehan downsizes, Herberts cash out

Dunphy’s Herne Bay move, Meehan downsizes, Herberts cash out

Director cops maximum ban for ‘cynical’ asset transfers

Sodor Capital puts boots on the ground in NZ

Mowbray mum on Zuru’s reported Mattel tilt

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Featured Rich Lister: Qing ‘Karl’ Ye

The radical middle ground in the retirement village reform fight

National and Labour point fingers at each other’s fiscal holes

Z Energy warns 'far less room for error' as oil prices rise

Senior Trust lender appoints independent directors

Firmus float under pressure as sentiment turns

Why so defensive about defence tech?

Mowbray mum on Zuru’s reported Mattel tilt

Featured Rich Lister: Qing ‘Karl’ Ye

Dicker Data shares rise after $138m acquisition of Sektor

Forsyth Barr shifts Tower to ‘outperform’

Kiwi Crunch ripples spread to Australia

The pros and cons of an independent policy costings agency

The pros and cons of an independent policy costings agency

Priorities for the next Minister for Space

Priorities for the next Minister for Space

Global volatility strengthening investor interest in NZ: survey

Global volatility strengthening investor interest in NZ: survey

Can’t have an election campaign without Prefu

Election campaigning starts in earnest

NBR lands settlements with FMA, SFO, DIA; $50k claim against IRD

Green shoots amid the media turmoil

A female-first approach to investing

Nats attempt to rein in supermarkets

Election 2026 - Small Business Debate

Sir Ian Taylor on innovation and the election

Debating the health of the UK economy

The Tenths made whole

RBNZ should hike one more time in this cycle, Citi says

Green Party’s campaign to get the nastiness out of politics

Opportunity aims to build momentum on ‘fertile ground’

NZ First’s mission to make NZ great again

‘Common sense call’ to pause on data centres

National Party changing their position

Mbie sharing appears ‘contrary to law’: Ombudsman

The NBR Rich List: Editor’s Overview

Solar power policies

Reserve Bank lifts the OCR

Investors on countdown to A$7.7b Firmus IPO

Can NZ’s economy thrive without sustained lower interest rates?

The radical middle ground in the retirement village reform fight

Above the law: Citizens against the system

Investment

NZX 50 joins Asia decline; Infratil stumbles on CDC valuation dip

NZX 50 ekes out small gain as Gentrack, Vista join tech rally

Promisia’s largest shareholder sells 12.9% stake for $4.9m

Economics

Trading activity muted as businesses wait and watch election

NZ’s opportunity as China defies global trade uncertainty

Council boosts ratings on ‘decoupling’ of water debt

Politics

Labour promises to back ‘genuine’ bank competitors

National releases its policy to help small businesses

National and Labour point fingers at each other’s fiscal holes

Te Ao Māori

Ngāi Tahu, Movac partner on $40m strategy

New Aquaculture Act pitched for $10b industry

What is the Māori Development Fund delivering?