Three to four people will arrive in Auckland every hour, based on the next 30 years' population projections.

Without an economic rising tide to lift all boats, only well-run businesses are going to outperform in the new economic "normal" growth environment.

Experts say pay packets in the real estate sector grew more than those in other industries during 2012.

The departing head of the Maori Development Ministry says Maori business has transformed in the past decade and iwi are no longer considered a risk to the NZ economy.

Dame Wendy Pye will turn 70 next year but is still getting up at 4.30am to field international calls, travelling across the world to expand her publishing business and "beating the drum" for children's literacy.

The Irish enjoy nothing more than whingeing about the weather. But internet giants say the people of Ireland should be grateful for their damp, cold climate.

Brian Fallow writes: "The economy has a soggier soft patch to pull out of next year after September quarter gross domestic product came in below market expectations and the statisticians revised down growth in the first half of the year."

"I want," the boy screamed, "I want a surplus."

Financial analyst Guy Hallwright is seeking his job back or $600,000 in lost earnings after being dismissed following his conviction for running over a man.

If there is a tendency for businesspeople's lips to curl at the very sight of their local council offices, writes Brian Fallow, the reaction may be unfair or at least misdirected.

If anybody thinks they did understand property markets and the link with financial stability, these conference papers will disabuse them of that notion, writes David Chaplin.

What skills and experience do you need to be a successful franchisee?

I'm not an economist, but I do understand what a net loss or a net gain is, writes Susan Chalmers. Most people will be familiar with the concept - at the end of the day, are you better or worse off?