Latest fromBest of Business Analysis

Brian Fallow: Meridian political risk takes shine off power
People contemplating investment in Meridian Energy shares need to think long and hard about political risk, writes Brian Fallow.

Liam Dann: Twitter vs Facebook - how to turn a profit?
Twitter.inc last week filed the documents for an initial public share offer that will see it raise US$1 billion.

Brian Gaynor: Universal secret of success fuels port
Why are some companies extremely successful while others operating in the same industry struggle?

Diana Clement: Financial fortune cookies - for kids to digest
I had a brainwave recently and decided to cook up a batch of the traditional Chinese treats and fill them with various financial talking points for families.

Brian Fallow: Dire response to climate change
The Government's refusal to do much of anything to curb New Zealand's emissions is as economically myopic as it is morally contemptible.

Brian Fallow: Productivity gap a real mystery
Let's start by acknowledging that New Zealand struggles to earn a First World living.

Fran O'Sullivan: NZ mustn't give way to neighbour
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott faces a difficult challenge as his Liberal-led government tries to reboot the stalled mining boom.

Sighs of relief - now for answers
Last Wednesday, Fonterra bosses were heaving a collective sigh of relief, but as Fran O'Sullivan writes the clean-up from its dirty pipe debacle continues.

Liam Dann: Syrian crisis weighs on world economy
The threat of Western intervention in Syria has markets on edge and looks set to add another layer of complexity to the global economic outlook, writes Liam Dann.

Diana Clement: Now's the time to tackle that financial homework
If ever there was a time to do all those financial tasks you've been putting off, it's this week.

Liam Dann: Botulism scare shows we need to lift our game
Fonterra "got away with it" over the botulism scare - but NZ's reputation took a big hit in China and that won't suddenly be undone, writes Liam Dann.

Helen Twose: House ownership via firm a grey area
I generally have a good understanding of KiwiSaver, in that withdrawing money has to be for your first home and your principal place of residence.

Brian Gaynor: Mighty River makes Meridian a hard sell
Prime Minister John Key and Finance Minister Bill English have revealed a new strategy for the Meridian Energy share offering.

Liam Dann: Mistakes put focus on company culture
Culture - it's a word that can be filled with meaning or thrown about in a way that means nothing at all.

Liam Dann: Home-buying ban runs high risks
It's risky policy for a liberal, left-of-centre party because it leaves them open to accusations of xenophobia, writes Liam Dann.

Diana Clement: Cherish your good credit record, it's worth guarding
Credit scores are important - guard yours well. A good credit score is essential for getting a mortgage, business finance and perhaps even a job.

Brian Gaynor: Active funds best allround use of KiwiSaver
The KiwiSaver active versus passive debate has been reignited following recent articles by Diana Clement in the Business Herald, Paul McBeth in the Listener and Rob Stock, the money editor of the Sunday Star-Times, in an Auckland suburban newspaper.

Helen Twose: Retirees can stick with scheme
Could you please tell me if I will be able to continue in my KiwiSaver scheme as I joined in July 2008, so almost five years ago.

Brian Fallow: Rising inequality largely a myth
The idea that New Zealand has become one of the most unequal societies in the developed world is just not supported by the data, writes Brian Fallow.

Fran O'Sullivan: Govt's political fears ought to be tested
RadioLIVE has dubbed Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee the Minister of No, writes Fran O'Sullivan. It is a label that might just stick after his frank response to Auckland Mayor Len Brown's latest foray into transport funding.

Brian Fallow: Courting of home buyers tawdry
If John Key was genuine in his concern about being disadvantaged relative to property investors he could legislate to reduce the tax advantages, writes Brian Fallow.

Liam Dann: No use crying over spill in coffee price
Commodities are at the mercy of some unprecedented global trends...

Peter Bromhead: Transit lounge limbo
Any traveller who has experienced a glacier-slow wait in an international transit lounge might have some sympathy for American defector Edward Snowden.

Fran O'Sullivan: Synlait calls and investors jump
Full marks to Synlait bosses Graham Milne and John Penno for hanging tough in the post-global financial crisis environment and going offshore.