The Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sam Huggard said today that unions were supporting a public health system that listened to and valued the advice of clinicians, in response to the Association of Salaried Medical Specialist’s concerns about our pathology services.

The 19th annual AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards were held at the Pullman Auckland Hotel last night, with Tourism Holdings winning the Supreme Award for doing business with the United States.

Tonkin + Taylor develops logistics website -  In recent years, tropical cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis have cut a swathe of destruction across the Pacific. Many millions of dollars and tens of thousands of humanitarian aid worker hours have been devoted to recovery efforts.

HE Ms Wu Xi, China’s Ambassador to New Zealand, today announced that Infrastructure New Zealand will be leading a senior delegation to China, Hong Kong and Singapore in March 2019.

One of New Zealand’s most established economic research agencies, BERL, will explore the Government’s intention for a Wellbeing Budget next year at its inaugural annual wānanga in Wellington on August 23.

“Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones’ confirmation that the Government will establish an independent infrastructure entity – an i-body – is very positive news and warmly received by industry,” says Stephen Selwood CEO of Infrastructure NZ.

EMA is pleased its long time call for a comprehensive solution to how New Zealand invests in and delivers vital infrastructure projects has made a significant step forward today.

Infrastructure Minister, Shane Jones, announced at Infrastructure New Zealand’s Building Nations Symposium a new entity will be established to provide expert advice, planning and strategy to support the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country.

"This has been a long time coming. We commend the Minister for taking the step to effectively create an agency which will have the mandate to pull together the long-term pipeline of our infrastructure needs," says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA.

"Agencies such as these have worked well overseas. This is a vital component of building the vibrant and productive economy the Government has stated it wants. Hopefully, this entity will be independent, future focused and empowered to make decisions which will take New Zealand forward and transcend the electoral cycle.

"We, along with Infrastructure New Zealand, have been calling for an independent agency of this nature for some time, as the nation grapples with how to fund and manage its infrastructure shortfall."We hope this newly announced entity will help manage the risk profile associated with large scale projects that are now required and provide a way forward for many local authorities struggling with inadequate infrastructure."

Brilliance International has been fined $540,000 after pleading guilty to breaking fair trading law by claiming steel mesh met standards that it actually did not

"Major issues affecting the construction and wider infrastructure sector are the result of weak procurement capability across the board and strengthened government expertise and leadership is required to drive an overall lift in industry performance," says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood.

Higher fuel prices contributed to rises in producer output prices (up 0.9 percent) and input prices (up 1.0 percent) in the June 2018 quarter, Stats NZ said today.