Insurance will represent a significantly higher share of the cost of living and the cost of doing business from here on, writes Brian Fallow.

If Meridian Energy had already floated, it's a fair bet that its share price would have dropped after the Opposition unveiled its electricity policy a week ago.

The onus is on those calling for radical, disruptive change to something as important as the electricity sector to demonstrate that it is broken and needs fixing.

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.

What if the authorities had swiped some of the money in my bank account, in the cause of keeping the bank open for business, writes Brian Fallow.

Tim Groser will make the final shortlist of two for the top job in global trade if enough WTO members agree on a merit-based selection process, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

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

The situation in Cyprus has been a blunt reminder that the world is still working through debt problems which could lead to more global market wobbles.

Finance Minister Bill English has asked officials what tax reforms could materially lift the economy's performance, writes Brian Fallow.

The drought is a timely reminder of how much the New Zealand economy depends on rainfall, writes Brian Fallow.

Mighty River Power needs to promote loyalty bonus scheme...

The debate about the financial merits of assets sales is a good one, and based purely on the numbers the benefits are marginal, writes Liam Dann.

The higher the exchange rate is, the lower interest rates can be, writes Brian Fallow. Asset price inflation, in the Auckland housing market at any rate, is alive and well.

John Key and Bill English have been on tenterhooks waiting for the Supreme Court judgment on the Mighty River sales process, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

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

One of the highlights of this job each year is reviewing the latest iteration of the Global Investment Returns Yearbook...

Economic modelling based on ethanol, which has its limitations as a fuel, may underestimate the potential yields and value added, writes Brian Fallow.

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

David Shearer and his cohort of prospective coalition partners, the Greens, Mana and NZ First, are holding a show-trial into who killed the manufacturing industry.

The New Zealand dollar has hit 76 on the Reserve Bank's trade-weighted index, its highest level since at least 1990, writes Brian Fallow.

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.