Kiwibank views the small to medium business market as being under-served and so sees it as an opportunity and is also hinting that it may soon be offering a digital lending service.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/kiwibank-sees-opportunity-lending-small-businesses-jr-p-200211

It will be full course ahead rather than sailing a new route for Lukas Paravicini, the man taking over running Fonterra’s value-add side of the business, though he may try to trim the sails to make the boat go faster.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it-says-fonterra-cfo-its-value-add-plan-fr-p-200187

Tesla has opened a carshowroom and workshop in Auckland, giving the all-electric vehicle an increasing profile in the local market.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/editors-insight-musk-mars-and-quest-speed

A worried Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler this morning issued a blunt warning about the risks to the global economy posed by the policies of US President Donald Trump.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/wheelers-world-economy-warning-nz-will-not-fare-well-under-trumps-polices

Local cider producer Zeffer is raising money through equity crowdfunding platform Snowball Effect to fund its expansion into Asia. Zeffer aims to raise between $700,000 and $1.2 million on a pre-money valuation of $4.5 million.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/local-cider-maker-zeffer-opens-capital-raise-cs-p-200126

Crown entity Callaghan Innovation has clawed back a mere $305,000 from its $2.9 million grant to defunct game development studio Gameloft Auckland. In their latest report, liquidators Peri Finnigan and Boris van Delden of McDonald Vague say Callaghan’s unsecured claim was disputed by the directors of the French gaming company.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/poor-return-callaghan-innovation-gameloft-liquidation-cg-p-200093

The UK government is trying to breathe new life into the commonwealth through trade. Its international trade secretary, Liam Fox, has invited more than 30 ministers to attend a summit in London on March 9 and 10. Some 60 business leaders will also be there, in a lead up to Commonwealth Day on March 13.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/editors-insight-post-brexit-britain-looks-commonwealth-next-free-trade-fix

New Zealand King Salmon is expecting an even stronger second half result after more than doubling first-half net profit and says it’s on track to meet its prospectus forecasts.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-king-salmon-expects-stronger-second-half-jr-p-200163

A new agreement which enables the resumption of sheep and beef exports to Iran has been well received by the red meat industry in New Zealand.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/red-meat-industry-upbeat-iran-deal-jw-p-200157

TeamTalk chief executive Andrew Miller says his company’s improved first-half result shows it has lifted its game – and is more reason for shareholders to reject Spark’s 80c a share offer, which values the network operator at around $23 million.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/teamtalk-boss-addresses-problem-child-cautions-shareholders-spark-offer-ck-200181