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

ANALYSIS: Under the banner of addressing ‘intergenerational inequity,’ Australia's federal budget introduces the biggest changes to asset and investment taxes this century.

Lachlan Colquhoun Wed, 13 May 2026

Margin Call

NewBird AI’s newest investor is ‘flipping the bird’

ANALYSIS: Old birds, new tricks – and the five-fold investment return at the company formerly known as Allbirds.

Prithvi Sharma Tue, 12 May 2026

Economy Matters

When business confidence stops telling us the truth

ANALYSIS: Who is in power significantly influences how confident businesses say they feel – and the size of this impact does matter.

Hillmarè Schulze Mon, 11 May 2026

Investment

Air NZ tumbles to new low as fuel costs mount; NZX50 slides

Xero slides on the ASX as US push knocks bottom line.

Curious News Thu, 14 May 2026

Sanford boss sticking to his plans after record interim result

‘If you spend a whole lot of money in marketing, and your ebit line is the same or worse than your competitors, you’re bullshitting yourself,’ David Mair says.

Kate McVicar Thu, 14 May 2026

Melio acquisition weighs on Xero profits but revenues surge

The results come after a difficult week for the company, which is dealing with allegations against founder Sir Rod Drury.

Lachlan Colquhoun Thu, 14 May 2026

Economics

SME lending transparency needs to be similar to mortgages: RBNZ

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick also questions whether a softer housing market could impact lending to small businesses.

Brent Edwards Thu, 07 May 2026

Banks need better data on insurance cover, warns Reserve Bank

There is no system-wide mechanism for sharing individual insurance policy changes with banks.

Brent Edwards Thu, 07 May 2026

Unemployment fall reinforces need to hold OCR, say economists

The latest jobless rate has fallen to 5.3%, which is better than economists had expected.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 06 May 2026

Politics

Govt cuts $300m from Budget operating allowance

Union says cuts will further damage public sector and drive more experienced workers away.

Simon Shepherd Wed, 13 May 2026

Don't confuse party politics with running a government, PM says

In an interview with NBR, Christopher Luxon says there will be differences between governing parties as they head to the election.

Brent Edwards Wed, 13 May 2026

Climate law change will limit individual rights, academic warns

Creating certainty for a subset of businesses comes at a cost to others, says Benjamin Tombs.

Brent Edwards Wed, 13 May 2026

Te Ao Māori

Ngāpuhi joins iwi fisheries collective

Ngāpuhi says joining a 20 member fisheries collective is about lifting returns, building scale, and freeing capacity for new investment opportunities.

Mike McRoberts Mon, 11 May 2026

Māori tech firms get growth boost

A new Auckland programme will support up to 50 Māori-owned tech, digital and creative businesses as Tū Ātea looks to build more companies capable of scaling beyond NZ.

Mike McRoberts Thu, 07 May 2026

Art Fair expands as Māori voices lead

Māori artists anchor Aotearoa Art Fair’s most ambitious year yet, on the floor and across the waterfront.

Mike McRoberts Thu, 30 Apr 2026

Primary Industries

MyFarm Central Cherry Orchard raises capital at 95% haircut

‘It doesn’t matter how good you are as an investor or an asset manager, you can't outrun industry performance,’ MyFarm boss says.

Kate McVicar Thu, 14 May 2026

Temu for ag: GrowPay targets farm cost squeeze

Ross Hyland says his new rural finance and marketplace platform can cut farm input costs, free up working capital, and challenge the way farmers buy and borrow.

Mike McRoberts Wed, 13 May 2026

Rockit sells management subsidiary to help ‘simplify’ business

The snack apple company has sold Rockit Management Services to a local startup.

Kate McVicar Thu, 07 May 2026

Australia

Aussie government defends tax changes amid widespread anger

Shares in Australia’s biggest property lender, CBA, dropped by 10% on Wednesday on fears of the impact on property investment.

Lachlan Colquhoun Thu, 14 May 2026

Australia walks a fiscal tightrope in 2026 Budget

This year’s Budget requires some difficult decisions by the Government as it deals with a fiscal position already deteriorating before the hit from the Middle East conflict.

Lachlan Colquhoun Mon, 11 May 2026

RBA hikes rates to 4.35%

The move is the third increase this year, and markets are factoring in two more.

Lachlan Colquhoun Tue, 05 May 2026

Tech & Innovation

New AI technology cuts costs for milk powder production

The AI model is also being applied to broader applications which are not yet ready for commercialisation.

Fiona Rotherham Thu, 14 May 2026

Plant variety rights revenue has grown 325% in past decade

The Bioeconomy Science Institute’s fruit IP empire has reaped the benefits of several global success stories.

Fiona Rotherham Wed, 13 May 2026

The science provider behind $1.1b net benefit from sheep genetics

GenomNZ is the country’s leading commercial animal DNA genotyping laboratory, with customers in 40 countries.

Fiona Rotherham Tue, 12 May 2026

Law

Fresh evidence interrupts FNZ hearing

Arguments over jurisdiction are temporarily diverted by late affidavit.

Tim Hunter Thu, 14 May 2026

NZ Super won’t appeal ruling its investment policies are unlawful

The judicial review of the Guardian’s policy documents was sought by the Palestinian Solidarity Network.

NBR Staff Wed, 13 May 2026

‘Tribunal must have first shot,’ say FNZ defendants

Court hears opening arguments on whether huge shareholder claim will go to arbitration in London.

Tim Hunter Wed, 13 May 2026

Finance

‘No significant fallout’ from Iran war yet, says Kiwibank

But business confidence to invest has fallen as growth plans go on the backburner.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 13 May 2026

Finance Now targets legacy banks with credit offer

The non-bank lender acquired the credit card business from The Warehouse Group in 2017.

Jonathan Mitchell Wed, 13 May 2026

Green Investment Finance wind-down ‘returns’ over $500m so far

‘We are a required seller, so there will be a discount naturally,’ says Sarah Minhinnick.

Brent Edwards Wed, 22 Apr 2026

The NBR Podcast

Podcast #103: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

LISTEN/WATCH: With the election six months away, Luxon sits down to talk hustling for fuel and whether he can keep the coalition together.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 12 May 2026

LISTEN: The closure of McCain and Heinz Wattie’s frozen vegetable plants could knock out almost half the processing industry. New Zealand has such great soil and water, so why can’t vegetable growers and packers make a decent profit?

Simon Shepherd Tue, 05 May 2026

Podcast #101: Why the $50b ACC fund is sceptical of AI

LISTEN: Chief investment officer David Iverson on lessons learnt from previous AI booms and why he’s a contrarian investor.

Simon Shepherd Tue, 28 Apr 2026

General Business

Xi warns Trump on Taiwan; Starmer challengers circle

And Honda posts its first annual loss in 70 years as it shifts EV focus.

Jonathan Mitchell Fri, 15 May 2026

Quick Takes of the Week to May 15

In case you missed it: News bites for the week.

NBR Staff Fri, 15 May 2026

Trump descends on China; Warsh confirmed as Fed chair

And OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has accused Elon Musk of abandoning the company.

Nicholas Pointon Thu, 14 May 2026

Deals

Ora Pharm inks deal to buy Helius out of administration

The Waikato-based medicinal cannabis firm has signed a conditional agreement with Helius' administrators.

Nicholas Pointon Wed, 13 May 2026

ComCom clears Gull NPD merger

Regulator says fuel retail combination would not lessen competition.

NBR Staff Fri, 08 May 2026

Good businesses are getting good interest, PwC M&A partner says

New Zealand remains an attractive destination for international buyers amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Hamish McNicol Thu, 07 May 2026

Tourism

Not a mirage, as investors snap up units in Fijian Radisson Blu

New Zealand, Australian, and North American buyers – many with Fijian links – buy into the under-construction resort, attracted by a tax holiday of up to 13 years.

Brent Melville Sun, 10 May 2026

Billionaire Kwek Leng Beng picks The Mayfair

After a failed bid for NZ’s only listed hotel group, the Singaporean hotelier has selected the five-star hotel as the first in the southern hemisphere to join his elite collection.

Brent Melville Mon, 30 Mar 2026

THL shares retrace losses, as Trouchet departs

Share price recovery follows initial hit in the wake of travel and oil price fears on the US/Israel-Iran conflict.

Brent Melville Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Infrastructure

Audit Office encourages Mbie to get LNG procurement process right

It says it will consider taking a further look at the process at a later stage.

Brent Edwards Thu, 14 May 2026

StraitNZ sets sale as Morgan Stanley looks to $1.2b exit

The global private equity fund bought the logistics and Bluebridge operator in March 2022, but has now appointed investment banks to promote its sale.

Brent Melville Tue, 12 May 2026

Simplicity accuses Watercare and Vector of ‘gross overcharging’

The country’s biggest build-to-rent builder says the utility monopolies are Auckland’s biggest roadblocks to residential development.

Brent Melville Wed, 06 May 2026

Property

Exodus continues at JLL Auckland

The firm’s hotels and hospitality team has been razed by competitors, following a right-sizing that’s also seen office closures.

Brent Melville Wed, 13 May 2026

Seascape developer debt put at a towering half-billion dollars

The first receivers’ report shows China Construction Bank is on the hook to the developer for $171 million.

Brent Melville Mon, 11 May 2026

Australian ‘heroic’ effort pays off for Warren & Mahoney

Major projects such as the interior design work on the 75,000-square-metre Atlassian Central development has W&M running hot across the Ditch.

Brent Melville Mon, 11 May 2026

Professional Services

FMA’s ongoing ‘going concern’ concerns

Latest Financial Statements Monitoring Insights report highlights several areas of reporting concerns for the market regulator.

Hamish McNicol Thu, 09 Apr 2026

Lane Neave managing partner retires

He will be replaced by litigation partner Ben Russell.

Hamish McNicol Wed, 01 Apr 2026

New MinterEllisonRuddWatts boss talks up Australian opportunity

Former Vital Healthcare Property Trust CEO Aaron Hockly became the law firm’s head this month.

Hamish McNicol Tue, 31 Mar 2026

NBR Focus

Unlocking Aotearoa: FirstCape CEO Malcolm Jackson

WATCH: Our weekly series on what is holding Aotearoa back, and how we can unleash its potential.

Simon Shepherd Wed, 13 May 2026

Unlocking Aotearoa: Dame Joan Withers

WATCH: Our new weekly series on what is holding New Zealand back, and how we can unleash its potential.

Simon Shepherd Wed, 06 May 2026

The Accountants 2026: AI could replace people who don’t adopt it

RSM Auckland managing partner Lisa Murphy on struggling sectors, Government investment, the talent market, and a recent merger.

Kate McVicar Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Retail

Abe’s Bagels acquired by George Weston Foods

‘It made sense that they were the right partners to take the business forward,’ says the company’s CEO.

Kate McVicar Thu, 07 May 2026

How crashing Pandora’s party helped launch an eight-figure brand

After jewellery retailer Silvermoon went into liquidation, its founder Simon Thwaites came out of ‘semi-retirement’ to rebuild the company he started more than 20 years ago.

Kate McVicar Wed, 29 Apr 2026

The risks of extending the right to make a citizen’s arrest

The proposal could lead to unintended consequences, says BusinessNZ.

Brent Edwards Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Luxury Property

Flying the White Heron, Royal Yacht sale, golden visas ramp up

Luxury market picks up, partially on the back of surging international sales, with 15 applications received by international buyers under the so-called ‘golden visa’.

Brent Melville Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Glendowie golden visa, Bayswater watch, what £20k bought in 1967

Offshore buying proves a bright spot in otherwise slow recovery for high-end properties – and as Middle Eastern buyers start looking.

Brent Melville Wed, 25 Mar 2026

First Light’s Hickey sells in Ongaonga, Seselj buys in Herne Bay

‘You wouldn’t want to leave your cell phone at one end of this home’, realtor says.

Brent Melville Wed, 25 Feb 2026

Aviation News

Airport roundup: Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown

New domestic jet pier at Auckland, playground for Christchurch, taxiway in Queenstown.

Nevil Gibson Fri, 15 May 2026

Fuel price surge claims Spirit Airlines, others may follow

Carry On: JAL’s robots, Airbus and Boeing deals, new routes.

Nevil Gibson Sat, 09 May 2026

Emirates begins installing Starlink Wi-Fi in its A380 fleet

Carry On: Spirit Airlines rescue, US merger talk ends, more Dreamliner orders.

Nevil Gibson Sat, 02 May 2026

Energy

ComCom says less competition can be necessary in a crisis

Fuel crisis has shown NZ’s competitive landscape remains strong, although utilities remain the country’s least competitive sector, it says.

Brent Melville Thu, 14 May 2026

Lack of transparency cited as Maersk, MSC clip on fuel surcharges

Maersk’s fuel surcharge will add 27% to its land-based pricing, while other carriers had applied various surcharge mechanisms that weren’t as ‘clearly separated’.

Brent Melville Tue, 05 May 2026

EA shuts down probe after ‘limited engagement’

An investigation into electricity prices and contracts for business users went nowhere as businesses reluctant to come forward.

Tim Hunter Mon, 04 May 2026

Rich List

40 years of the Rich List: the first international list in 2012

In the lead-up to the 40th edition of the Rich List in June, NBR is opening the archives to reproduce some of the best content from the past four decades.

NBR Staff Fri, 01 May 2026

40 years of the Rich List: 2006 Trade Me sale’s 17 millionaires

In the lead-up to the 40th edition of the Rich List in June, NBR is opening the archives to reproduce some of the best content from the past four decades.

NBR Staff Fri, 27 Mar 2026

40 years of the Rich List: Graeme Hart named first billionaire

In the lead-up to the 40th edition of the Rich List in June, NBR is opening the archives to reproduce some of the best content from the past four decades.

NBR Staff Fri, 27 Feb 2026

Marketing & Media

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

TVNZ’s interim profit falls as one-off costs bite

The state broadcaster will pay an interim dividend of $1.3m to the Crown.

NBR Staff Fri, 06 Mar 2026

Leaked emails reveal SkyCity breached NBR copyright

The listed casino operator had been distributing PDF copies of NBR articles to staff using just one subscription.

NBR Staff Wed, 21 Jan 2026

Comings & Goings

MinterEllisonRuddWatts appoints two new partners

Natasha Hood and Vimal Nair have been promoted to Partner in its construction and infrastructure practice.

Tue, 12 May 2026

MTX Group appoints global growth officer

Sri Gazula brings nearly 30 years of experience in ICT, spanning both public and private sector environments in NZ and internationally.

Fri, 08 May 2026

Queenstown Lakes Council appoints new water services chair

Dr Julian Elder will assume responsibility for the district’s water services from July 1, 2027.

Fri, 08 May 2026

Budget restraint, the immigration debate, climate change

Budget restraint, the immigration debate, climate change

The PM’s Singapore deal and local government reform

The journalist making the news and the Winston Peters effect

Free News Alerts

Lufthansa-equipped B777-9 makes first test flight

Lufthansa-equipped B777-9 makes first test flight

Musk v Altman enters deliberation

Musk v Altman enters deliberation

Blocking Smith v Fonterra a cynical use of Parliamentary power

Blocking Smith v Fonterra a cynical use of Parliamentary power

NZX50 falls 1.6% this week as sour sentiment saps F&P Healthcare

How to boost confidence in private assets

Grocery giant Coles faces massive fine for misleading discounts

Pacific Edge finally wins pathway to Medicare reimbursement

Diesel price up near 100% as Iran war bites manufacturers

Government issues advice to its agencies over good regulation

Budget restraint, the immigration debate, climate change

Lufthansa-equipped B777-9 makes first test flight

Musk v Altman enters deliberation

Blocking Smith v Fonterra a cynical use of Parliamentary power

Pacific Edge finally wins pathway to Medicare reimbursement

Grocery giant Coles faces massive fine for misleading discounts

The increasing antagonism between politics and journalism

Rod Drury removed from Business Hall of Fame website

How to boost confidence in private assets

Aussie budget makes sweeping changes to capital gains tax

Labour’s plan to lift Auckland’s performance

Govt wants Super Fund to widen its NZ investment

Ngāi Tahu Tourism prepared for potential disruption

Mevo creditor shortfall tops $4.3m

FNZ breeding, FMA dog, hero to Xero, a billionaire’s Sunrise

Rich Lister’s payments firm records $402m turnover in nine months

Govt wants Super Fund to widen its NZ investment

Hopes high for exports of first new fish species in decades

Hopes high for exports of first new fish species in decades

St James project owner snaps up adjoining properties

St James project owner snaps up adjoining properties

Labour’s plan to lift Auckland’s performance

Labour’s plan to lift Auckland’s performance

Unlocking Aotearoa: Malcolm Jackson

PM Christopher Luxon joins the NBR Podcast

“Lead your own reform or we will do it for you”

The relief of Singapore

Deepfake ad using doctor’s identity a ‘public safety risk’

Unlocking Aotearoa: Dame Joan Withers

The Winston Peters effect

The journalist making the news

Art Fair expands as Māori voices lead

Michael Hill CEO: ‘I’m not a patient person’

The Accountants: Full Investigation

The Accountants: Some KPMG staff already using AI agents

The Accountants: Turning EY into a one-stop-shop

The Accountants: PwC and the end of human-only workforces

The Accountants: Deloitte sees AI freeing up 25% of capacity

Conflict: RBNZ discusses impact on inflation

Responding to Trump’s rhetoric – Winston in Washington

Sydney's new airport, Western Sydney International (WSI)

Debate: Economic fallout from the Iran war

Cabinet reshuffle sees Chris Bishop replaced

The increasing antagonism between politics and journalism

Aussie budget makes sweeping changes to capital gains tax

NewBird AI’s newest investor is ‘flipping the bird’

When business confidence stops telling us the truth

Investment

Air NZ tumbles to new low as fuel costs mount; NZX50 slides

Sanford boss sticking to his plans after record interim result

Melio acquisition weighs on Xero profits but revenues surge

Economics

SME lending transparency needs to be similar to mortgages: RBNZ

Banks need better data on insurance cover, warns Reserve Bank

Unemployment fall reinforces need to hold OCR, say economists

Politics

Govt cuts $300m from Budget operating allowance

Don't confuse party politics with running a government, PM says

Climate law change will limit individual rights, academic warns

Te Ao Māori

Ngāpuhi joins iwi fisheries collective

Māori tech firms get growth boost

Art Fair expands as Māori voices lead