Currency
NZ dollar hits 8 month low
The New Zealand dollar dropped to an eight-and-a-half-month low on optimism an improving economic outlook in the US may prompt that nation’s central bank to end its quantitative easing policy.The kiwi fell to 80.62…
NZ dollar rallies ahead of Budget
The New Zealand dollar strengthened against major currencies as investors take advantage of a dip in the kiwi to buy ahead of the government budget today.The kiwi rose to 82.36 US cents from 82.13 cents at 5 pm yesterday. The trade-weighted…
Air NZ forced to review Japan flights
NZ dollar slides to 82.53 US cents
The New Zealand dollar declined after better-than-expected US retail sales added to confidence the world’s largest economy is expanding, reducing demand so-called growth assets outside of the US including the kiwi.The kiwi dollar…
Entrepreneurship
What Every Online Business Needs to Know About the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
New changes to the law are scheduled to go into effect July 1st. Is your business ready?
New Google Tool Helps Businesses Deliver the Perfect Online Ad
The tech giant today released a new resource that explores how different marketing tactics influence online buying behavior.
3 Ways to Create More Engaging Website Landing Pages
Gotcha! A Roundup of April Fools’ Day Pranks From Around Tech and Social Media
How some companies are having fun on this popular holiday.
Finance
IMF paper warns of risk to NZ banks
The report says a downturn in China could have potentially "substantial" negative effects on the wider economy.
read more
IMF paper warns of risk to NZ banks
The report says a downturn in China could have potentially "substantial" negative effects on the wider economy.
read more
Marketing
Small business: Brand ambassadors – Scott Gardiner
For many small business owners, particularly those that have started out as sole operators, transitioning clients to work with other staff can be a challenge. Most small businesses are built on relationships. Those customer relationships,…
Frizzell: $100,000 kicked for touch
Dick Frizzell believes he lost more than $100,000 as the official artist of the Rugby World Cup but says he’s not bitter. Frizzell said accepting the gig was the worst investment decision he’d ever made.Frizzell said he produced…
Graham McGregor: The ‘better way strategy’ to improve sales
Pies could hurt McDonald’s image – marketing expert
McDonald’s resurrection of Georgie Pie could damage the healthier, more upmarket image the company has created for its brand over the past few years, says a marketing expert.The country’s biggest fast food operator announced yesterday…
Markets
Westpac drops fixed rate
Westpac has dropped its one year fixed home loan rate for new customers to 4.79 per cent. Customers applying for new loans at Westpac will be able to fix mortgages over $150,000 for one year through the …
EU, China have ‘much to lose’ in case of trade war
The latest tit-for-tat EU-China trade disputes could signal worse to come but both sides have a lot to lose if things get out of hand and harm the much-needed economic growth they seek, analysts said. …
Wall St brakes on lacklustre US data
Govt sets sights on Meridian
Meridian Energy, New Zealand’s biggest and most profitable power company, will be partially privatised later this year, Finance Minister Bill English confirmed in yesterday’s Budget.The sale of 49 per cent of the hydro giant’s shares…
Personal Finance
Small Business
Small business: Brand ambassadors – Scott Gardiner
For many small business owners, particularly those that have started out as sole operators, transitioning clients to work with other staff can be a challenge. Most small businesses are built on relationships. Those customer relationships,…
Budget 2013: R&D tax breaks for start-ups
Loss-making start-up companies which invest heavily in research and development will be targeted for tax breaks under a scheme announcing a range of small concessions and new initiatives to more effectively tax foreign-owned companies…
Twelve Questions: Stefan Preston
Mobile gaming space like the ‘wild west’
Claims of a ‘gold rush’ going on in the mobile gaming space right now are entirely accurate, says the founder of game development company Ninja Kiwi.Chris Harris said there were currently “huge opportunities” for individuals and…
