New Zealand winemakers could stand to benefit from a global shortage of wine, a new report says.

In a blockbuster declaration at Britain's phone hacking trial, a prosecutor said two of Rupert Murdoch's former senior tabloid executives - Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson - had an affair lasting at least

The "grumpiest" telecommunications debate in more than a decade could be all but settled next week.

The head of New Zealand's investment regulator has hit out at the Government's energy company sharemarket floats and says they have failed to lead the way in making it easier for retail investors to access information.

Stocks in software firm GeoOp soared 140 per cent in its debut on the NZAX after it sold shares in a private offering, raising $10 million to fund its global growth.

Young people from Ngai Tahu are more likely to be saving for retirement and are more wary of debt than other Kiwis their age, a study has found.

Meridian says a New York bank owns just 3.98 per cent of the company - not the 8.1 per cent it said earlier.

In the latest NSA bombshell, the Washington Post reports the spy agency has secretly broken into the main communication links for Yahoo and Google.

NZ Oil and Gas has a moral obligation to pay Pike River families it's claimed - after shareholders yesterday voted not to fork out $3.41m awarded by judge.

The banking ombudsman has had 10 complaints about the loan-to-value-ratio (LVR) changes introduced on October 1, with eight related to banks withdrawing prior approvals.

The first funding commitment has been made through a joint agreement signed last year between the Government-backed venture capital funds in this country and Taiwan.

One of NZ's largest home builders says new loan restrictions have cost it 24 new-home builds in the first month alone - and it expects more as the policy bites.

People trying to sell their homes may have to fork out an extra $230 to have the property listed on Trade Me - on top of fees they already pay.

An Auckland software company has secured $4 million in new capital, which it will use to expand its presence in Australia and establish a base in the United States.

A "carrot" rather than a stick should be used to encourage people to move to ultra-fast broadband and keeping slower internet prices higher is the wrong way to get them to switch.

Negotiations between the United States Justice Department and JPMorgan have hit a stumbling block that has put the talks at risk.

Having the capability to build end-to-end meat processing and packaging systems is helping Milmeq win major deals on the world stage, says chief executive Mike Lightfoot.

The FMA yesterday called on issuers of investment statements and prospectuses to "lift their game" after its report on the industry following its guidance note of June last year.

Tokyo-listed liquor giant Asahi has written more than $500m off the carrying value of NZ's Independent Liquor, the brewing company it purchased for $1.5b in 2011.