As retailers and hospitality business operators grapple with one of the most complex trading weeks of the year, many are hopeful that rising consumer confidence will translate into strong sales for the next 12 months.

"The increase in the Reserve Bank's interest rate, while expected, shows little imagination and will raise mortgage costs for home owners," says CTU economist Bill Rosenberg. "The focus should be on getting housing costs down, and raising wages to make housing more affordable."

The semi-finalists have been revealed in the annual Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Competition.

The premier beef competition, sponsored by Zoetis, aims to find the most tender and tasty sirloin steak in New Zealand.

Canterbury labour demand is growing at a greater rate than the national average while labour supply is limited, according to the Canterbury Job-Matching Report for the December 2013 quarter released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle is urging farmers to vote when they receive voting papers in the mail this month.

Entries open for Research Effectiveness Awards 2014 Research Association New Zealand is calling all researchers from corporate organisations or agencies to register their interest in this year’s Research Effectiveness Awards.

Microsoft has announced the New Zealand winners of the 2014 Microsoft Imagine Cup competition.

Audi A3 has won the prestigious 2014 World Car of the Year at the World Car Awards, announced on April 17 in New York, overpowering a field of 23 other vehicles.

The gap in business confidence between New Zealand and Australia continues to widen dramatically, with a net 88% of New Zealand businesses being optimistic about the country’s economy over the next 12 months, compared with only 36% in ‘the Lucky Country’.

Emirates Airline has received international recognition for its onboard amenities, winning top honours for its Business Class amenity kits and children’s give-aways at the recent TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2013 held in Hamburg.