Australia's mining investment boom could fall away faster than anticipated, but there's still uncertainty about how non-mining sectors will rebalance the economy.

Russia has made one of the most extreme responses to Fonterra's contamination scare so far, banning all goods made by the NZ dairy giant, according to media reports.

Xero, which held its annual meeting at Te Papa on Thursday, is head and shoulders above most New Zealand companies for meeting organisation and clarity of message.

There has been much excitement about healthcare company Ebos since its spectacular $1.1 billion purchase of Australia's Symbion and its successful capital raising.

Slowing revenue growth means Xero's soaring share price can no longer be justified, a fund manager says.

Rising oil and gas prices will make solar, wind and tidal energy, some types of biofuels, and even nuclear generation more attractive, writes Wayne Cartwright.

Shares in Auckland International Airport (AIA) have put on a strong burst over the past month and the market talk was that the company could be on the verge of selling its stake in North Queensland Airports.

Synlait Milk shares debuted at $2.62 and went on to trade in a $2.61 to $2.90 range before closing at $2.74.

The decision by the police not to lay criminal charges against Pike management again shreds the hearts of the victims' families, writes Gerard Morris.

Western Australia, the state that led the mining boom, is now bleeding, shedding thousands of jobs, sacking public servants, and battling a sharply declining economy.

Technology manufacturer Rakon has responded to a query from the Shareholders Association regarding an "unusual" rise in its share price in the lead-up to a major announcement last week.

In her judgment against what was in many respects a phantom company on trial, Judge Jane Farish was clear about where the buck should stop, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Herein lies the opportunity for NZ, writes Frank Duffield. Its resource base is largely underexplored, and world-scale natural gas discoveries are quite possible.

Xero, the Kiwi accounting software provider that's yet to turn a profit, is now worth more than $2 billion.