We are enjoying increasing optimism over prospects of a global economic recovery. We are less than convinced. In this month's Tyndall Comment, Andrew Hunt explains how much of the recovery in financial markets can be attributed to strong liquidity. This is driven by central bank programmes rather than any improvement in our 'real' economies, which remain weak.

The University of Canterbury plans to raise up to $100 million for major capital projects through New Zealand's first listed philanthropic bond issue.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's rate hike this week is unlikely to provoke a similar response from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) - at least in the short term, says BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander.

Auckland

Westpac faces a tax bill of close to $1 billion after losing one of New Zealand's largest ever tax avoidance cases.

In a year that has seen two KiwiSaver providers close up shop, the big bank brands were again dominating fund flows, the second annual Good Returns KiwiSaver survey has found.

Former ING New Zealand managing director Paul Fyfe says ANZ's proposal to buy the remainder of ING is a good deal.

Stephen Sinclair has joined fellow Business Bakery founder Geoff Baker on the board of Dorchester Pacific as a non-executive director.

Wellington

Mark Cassidy has been appointed Public Trust's senior relationship manager, based in Wellington.