Feb 16, 2018  - Five months after it was requested under the Official Information Act, Callaghan Innovation has now released its 2016/17 entertainment expenses.  The bill increased from the previous year, going from $304,675 to $308,969.

Feb 14, 2018  -  Global design firm Stantec is strengthening its New Zealand and Australia-based capabilities with the planned acquisition of Wellington, New Zealand-based consulting transportation engineering firm, Traffic Design Group (TDG). With more than 80 team members, TDG has offices located in markets throughout New Zealand, including Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, and Christchurch. The firm also has an office in Sydney, Australia. The transaction is expected to close April 1.

Feb 09, 2018  - Exascale computing company, Nyriad, announced that it has completed its Series A investment round, bringing it to a total of over US$11 million raised to date.

Feb 08, 2018  -  Auckland Airport today announced that it will build a new 65,000m2 distribution centre and a support centre for Foodstuffs North Island Ltd. The facility will be developed within Stage 4 of The Landing Business Park and will be constructed over a three year period, with completion scheduled to occur in late-2020. The development will comprise a world-class distribution centre plus a 5-star green-rated support centre, situated in landscaped and park-like surroundings.

Feb 08, 2018  - Statement by Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer.  The Reserve Bank today left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 1.75 percent.Global economic growth continues to improve. While global inflation remains subdued, there are some signs of emerging pressures. Commodity prices have increased, although agricultural prices are relatively soft. International bond yields have increased since November but remain relatively low. Equity markets have been strong, although volatility has increased recently. Monetary policy remains easy in the advanced economies but is gradually becoming less stimulatory.

Feb 07, 2018 - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent in the December 2017 quarter, down from 4.6 percent last quarter, Stats NZ said today.  “This quarter’s unemployment rate is the lowest since the December 2008 quarter, when it was 4.4 percent,” labour market and household statistics senior manager Jason Attewell said. “However, the underutilisation rate was just over 12 percent –reflecting about 340,000 New Zealanders with potential to work more. This measure is just as important as the unemployment rate.”

Feb 07, 2018  - Callaghan Innovation spent taxpayer money on suit hire and pedometers as part of their $304,000 entertainment expense blowout in 2015/16.  New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “Among their laundry list of ‘entertainment’ expenses, Callaghan spent $185 on suit hire at Munns in Auckland for a staff member to attend an awards ceremony.”

Feb 07, 2018  -  A businessman who gave up in the face of ''too much bureaucracy'' while seeking funding from government agency Callaghan Innovation has been left outraged at news of its multimillion-dollar entertainment bill.

Feb 05, 2018 - The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) found increased employment and immigration compliance in the West Coast following visits to businesses in the region last week.  The visits form part of the Inspectorate’s and INZ’s proactive work to ensure businesses are following the law when it comes to employees’ minimum workplace standards and visa conditions.

Feb 05, 2018  -  The Taxpayers’ Union has referred Callaghan Innovation to the Ombudsman over their abuse of the Annual Report process to avoid responsibilities under the Official Information Act. 

A new food research facility supporting the future of New Zealand’s exports has reached an important milestone, with a contractor appointed and the construction process to start next week at Massey University’s Manawatū campus.  The $45 million AgResearch and Massey University Food Science Facility will accommodate about 140 staff and students from the two organisations as well as from the Government-funded centre of research excellence, the Massey-hosted Riddet Institute.