It's risky policy for a liberal, left-of-centre party because it leaves them open to accusations of xenophobia, writes Liam Dann.

Commodities are at the mercy of some unprecedented global trends...

Julia Gillard wasn't sunk by sexism. She was sunk by economics, writes Liam Dann. That's not to say Australia's first female Prime Minister didn't have to battle some dreadful misogynistic rubbish.

"Was it greed or was it just a case of really bad timing?" asks Liam Dann. "Probably the latter, as the Government must have been hoping for a result which would help promote the next three asset sales to New Zealanders."

It is becoming clear that the resumption of normal service in the United States economy won't be painless for New Zealanders.

Since John Key's celebratory mission there in April, there has been a series of difficult and costly issues dogging New Zealand trade with China, writes Liam Dann.

A deliberate effort from the Government and private sector has strengthened capital markets writes Liam Dann.

Political commentators have been quick to point out that New Zealand voters now have a real choice, writes Liam Dann. Sometimes it seems we have two poor choices.

Business editor Liam Dann is stumped as to what possible benefit the rise in the value of his house offers him.

We're putting the focus on agriculture this week in the Business Herald.

It is only just three weeks since Kiwi IT company Xero made headlines for cracking $1 billion in market capitalisation ... without having turned a profit.

We can expect to see the price rise steadily again over the coming months, writes Liam Dann. The commodity price of dairy has been tracking up since it hit a worrying low last winter.

Liam Dann considers whether he should be buying a stake in Mighty River Power.

I'm starting to feel guilty about this long decadent Auckland summer. It could just be my grandmother's Presbyterian streak kicking it.

The collapse of Mainzeal has people worrying about who will construct the residential and commercial buildings required for Christchurch, writes Liam Dann.

Imagine it would be if you had just struggled to save a 10 per cent deposit for your first home only to be told you now had only half the money you need, writes Liam Dann.

The NZ tech sector is in a very good place...

Slick Sinophile deadly in Chinese market.

It hasn't been a good six months for the country economically, but the signs of renewal are there, says business editor Liam Dann.

As trade tensions between China and the US heat up, NZ is left staring awkwardly at the floor like the mutual friend of a newly divorced couple, writes Liam Dann.