Michael Barnett

The Auckland downtown promotion agency, Heart of the City, says it can't foot the 180 thousand dollar cost of putting the Santa up on the Whitcoulls building. Audio

Aucklanders are waking up to full power again, but many businesses will still be counting the costs from the cuts. Audio

RNZ Auckland correspondents explore what political party policies might mean for NZ's biggest and most diverse city Audio

Infant formula exporters are concerned about the Ministry for Primary Industries' ability to negotiate with Chinese authorities, following China's hard line on what's allowed into the country. Audio

New restrictions on infant formula imports take effect in China tomorrow and many exporters are still scratching their heads as to whether they'll be able to export there. A Chinese audit of New… Audio

NZ man killed in botched robbery in Argentina; Calls to leave KiwiSaver alone; Former Christchurch mayor on flooding crisis; Tornadoes wreck havoc for second night in US; Justice officials blamed… Audio

Officials and businesses remain confused over China's new restrictions on infant formula imports just two days shy of when they'll be enforced. Audio

More now on the tough new rules on food safety standards in China. There are fears they will wipe out many small infant formula exporters. From next week all milk powder firms will have to apply for… Audio

The Infant Formula Exporters Association says John Key's invitation to have dinner with the Chinese president tonight is a major coup for this country. Audio

The minimum wage will rise to $14.25 an hour in April, an increase of 50 cents. Audio

The chair of Auckland's new business leadership group believes there's an urgent need to act now to ensure the region's economy doesn't stall. Audio

Fresh back for a trade mission to calm Chinese consumers concerned about New Zealand exports, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Michael Barnett, says there is still work to do. Audio

Scott Gallacher, acting director-general of the ministry of primary Industries; NZ Infant Formula Exporters Association chair Michael Barnett; and AUT food microbiologist John Brooks. Audio

There are calls from within the dairy industry for more rigorous testing of dairy products before they are exported after the second contamination scare in less than a month. Audio

With Michael Barnett - Auckland Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive also the Chairperson of the NZ Infant Formula Exporters Association. John Brooks - Food microbiologist John Brooks from AUT. Karen… Audio

Listening to that report is Michael Barnett the chairman of the business interest group known as the local government forum, and the Director of the Auckland University of Technology's Public Policy… Audio

The strike on Auckland's waterfront has been extended by another week and impact from the industrial action is being felt in the wider business community. Chief Executive for the Auckland Chamber of… Audio

Industrial action is scheduled to resume at the Ports of Auckland tomorrow night. The port says mediation with the maritime union yesterday failed to make progress. Audio

Mediation will resume this morning between the Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union as both sides look to resolve their ongoing dispute over terms of a new collective contract. Audio

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce's chief executive, says local government has failed the city in its organisation of the Rugby World Cup celebrations. Michael Barnett says the Mayor and his… Audio