Manufacturing workers and employers will all benefit from economic policies announced today by the Labour Party leader, David Cunliffe.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union has welcomed the announcement of a total economic upgrade for the manufacturing sector.

"Today’s announcement of Labour’s manufacturing policy is very welcome," says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg.

All Black rugby hero Dan Carter kicked off MasterCard’s Worldwide Partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 in central London today.

Kaituna sheep and beef farmers Matt and Lynley Wyeth are Supreme winners of the 2014 Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Judges said the couple’s 800ha (effective) farming operation, Spring Valley Enterprises, was exceptionally well run.

Waikato Regional Council’s sustainable procurement stance has been praised as leading edge, ground breaking and a first for New Zealand at an event attended by more than 160 current and potential suppliers.

NZD

The NZD is 0.3% weaker against the USD this morning, sitting at 0.8630.

By Michael McCarthy (Chief Market Strategist, CMC Markets)

A national survey this week of Hospitality establishments shows that just over half are planning to close on Good Friday and over a third plan to close on Easter Sunday.

MediaWorks has appointed Rachel Lorimer to the newly created role of Group Head of Corporate Communications.

New Zealand’s productivity paradox shows more work is needed to overcome our key disadvantages, says BusinessNZ.