This is Part 1 of a series of four articles on the role of business and how it may be changing as companies consider social and environmental concerns in the post-global financial crisis world.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has had talks with internet giant Alibaba in China about setting up a New Zealand-based section of the site.

High school years are when teens face important decisions that will shape their future. But whom do they go to when they need advice?

Raising savings is the best way to sustainably take pressure off the exchange rate, says Reserve Bank assistant governor John McDermott.

Former Pyne Gould Corporation managing director John Duncan is not entitled to $880,000 worth of bonus shares or redundancy pay and has only been awarded around $4000 after an Employment Relations Authority fight.

ANZ says the "worm has turned " and employment trends now looking positive.

Here's a puzzle: why are the returns to investment in tertiary education in New Zealand so low, relatively speaking?

Young New Zealand workers are more likely than their older colleagues to make the most of business trips at their company's expense by spending up on high-end meals.

Job candidates say a bad experience during interviews gives firms a bad name.

A fall in the number of first-home buyers is plaguing Australia too - evidence, the Finance Minister says, that it's not the Reserve Bank's mortgage restrictions.

Youngsters with ambitions, no matter how challenging or unlikely, will learn to focus and work hard.

Miners in Waihi will be out of work for several months' next Christmas before Newmont Waihi Gold's controversial Correnso mine starts production.

Fed chair nominee Janet Yellen says the US economy has gained ground, but still needs support as unemployment is still too high.

'Not really such a great idea" is senior actuary Geoff Rashbrooke's verdict on Peter Dunne's Flexi-Super proposal. writes Brian Fallow.

The Reserve Bank doubts its curbs on mortgage lending at high loan-to-value ratios will have a material counter-productive effect on house building.

ANZ's Truckometer is pointing to an economy hitting top gear.

Labour leader David Cunliffe took the attack to Prime Minister John Key as the Government backed a convention centre deal with SkyCity.

A bill paving the way for SkyCity's $402m convention centre has passed its final reading in Parliament, but Labour says they will not be bound by the 'shonky' deal.

Yolanda Alba has already started her Christmas shopping, and says she is enjoying a very positive start to the festive season.

Swipe-happy consumers are paving the way for what may be the strongest Christmas trading period in years.

Consumer spending rebounded last month, led by purchases of durable items.

An attitude of deference pervades New Zealand's working culture, says CTU president Helen Kelly.