As widely anticipated, the US Federal Reserve lifted the US Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points this morning, to a new target range of 0.50% to 0.75%. This is the first and only move in the US Fed Funds Rate in 2016, following the last move in December 2015.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/us-fed-hike-when-tiny-move-matters-p-197939

The latest Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) outlook contains some export success stories that are overlooked in the focus on dairy and meat.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/editors-insight-other-billion-dollar-primary-sectors-are-making-money

Profit downgrades are always painful for listed companies, especially those which have recently floated.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/tegel-tries-accentuate-positives-shock-profit-downgrade-jr-p-197982

Lawyer Fiona Tregonning on why we're seeing more cases of corruption.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/auckland-transport-plan-could-kill-small-businesses-ks-p-197858

Nevil Gibson's weekly travel news roundup includes a makeover at Whangarei Airport and more Rarotonga flights from Christchurch

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/carry-queenstown-night-flights-qantas-dreamliners-melbourne-debut-and-more-ng-p-197872

Public concern about government surveillance understandably focuses on the nation’s professional spooks and spies but it’s the government’s second tier that does the most spying and escapes all scrutiny.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/hidesight-big-brother-doesn’t-spy-you-it-hires-contractors

The elevator pitch for the new BMW 5-Series range is “business athlete.” While I might have groaned out loud at this upon first hearing it, now that I’ve driven the cars I can see what BMW means. That pretty much encapsulates what the modern 5-Series is all about. I guess that’s why the members of whichever internal think-tank that came up with the phrase are all wearing pricier suits than me.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/motoring-bmw-5-series-5-alive-and-well

David Cohen takes a look back over the decades in the final Media Watch for 2016

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/media-watch-why-ridicule-1970s-when-you-have-2016

The report published this week from Deloitte on the management of Dunedin lines company Aurora is a shocker – or it would be if a rank of censorious goblins had not struck their magic pens through every trace of outrage in the text.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/hunter’s-corner-lines-companies-it’s-worse-we-thought

Prime Minister Bill English’s new government must surely represent a time for change as much as continuity.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/money-drop-rma-reforms-mr-english