A defence lawyer has suggested a witness in an $11.8 million pokies fraud prosecution has been got at because their story has changed. During his first interview by the Serious Fraud Office, former Bluegrass Trust chairman William Monk said it was Patrick O’Brien who asked him to chair the trust.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/barrister-suggests-witness-pokie-fraud-prosecution-was-got-jr-p-200893

The lawyer at the centre of an eight-year battle involving three courts to retain the outstanding natural landscape classification on the Spencer family’s Waiheke Island Man O’ War Station feels vindicated. K3 Legal’s Brent O’Callahan says the latest decision from the Court of Appeal helps safeguard the country’s natural beauty, particularly in coastal areas. It also means the Spencer family has exhausted all their legal remedies.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/lawyers-feel-vindicated-eight-year-legal-battle-over-spencer-familys-waiheke-property-sl-p

An OECD report on policies that boost long-term growth, improve competitiveness and productivity, and create jobs says New Zealand cannot remain complacent. The report, Going for Growth, offers a comprehensive assessment of policy reforms that can be packaged together and ensure a more inclusive economy.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/lawyers-feel-vindicated-eight-year-legal-battle-over-spencer-familys-waiheke-property-sl-p

Former Orcon boss Greg McAlister has taken an Auckland law firm and one of its partners to court, alleging they played a part in misrepresenting the $38 million deal to buy Orcon from Kordia.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/former-orcon-ceo-sues-law-firm-cg-p-200877

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was at the White House for a series of meetings with US President Donald Trump and his advisers.

The two discussed defence spending, vocational training, workforce development along with immigration, the anti-Islamic State campaign and the future of economic ties between the nations. The US remains Germany's indispensable partner in economy and security, the two confirmed.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/trumps-beltway-merkel-meets-trump-white-house-ns-p-200869

Analysts are looking for more information on Kathmandu’s [NZX:KMD] international markets when the outdoor clothing and equipment company reports first-half results tomorrow.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/what-look-out-kathmandus-results-tomorrow-cs-p-200875

Share market investors’ focus last week shifted firmly on to growth companies pursuing global markets. Cinema company Vista Group, which makes 95% of its sales offshore, was the biggest gainer, up 6.5%, while market darling A2 Milk climbed 5.5% and former market darling Xero≠ regained some sheen with a 5.4% increase.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/focus-shifts-vista-companies-offshore-prospects-jr-p-200838

Mr Hager is, we learned on the weekend, to launch another important book. This happens pretty much every election year, and as usual it has been accompanied by protestations that the timing is nothing whatsoever to do with the upcoming election, and a general air of hurt that anyone could think such a thing.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/hagers-latest-book-may-be-back-spies

One of the world’s most experienced green retrofitters of older buildings says they are more desirable for top companies and their staff. The New York-based Related Companies senior vice-president of engineering and energy Paul Rode, who was responsible for the retrofit of the celebrated Empire State Building, says the green building movement has now taken a hold.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/hold-monday-huthree-pillars-better-cashflow-buildings-energy-savings-and-happier-workers-sl

A District Court judge says he doesn’t have enough evidence to decide whether or not the building at 124 Wakefield St in Wellington is earthquake-prone. A lobby group, Evidence-based Seismic Strengthening (EBSS) is seeking to overturn Wellington City Council’s decision in 2010 to designate the building as earthquake-prone, a decision endorsed by the Ministry of Business (MBIE) in December 2015.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/judge-not-enough-evidence-decide-if-building-earthquake-prone-jr-p-200844