Fitch Ratings has affirmed New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited’s (LGFA) Long-Term Local-Currency Rating at ‘AA+’ and Long-Term Foreign-Currency Rating at ‘AA’. Fitch has also affirmed its Short-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Ratings at ‘F1+’. The Outlook on the Long-Term Ratings is Stable. At the same time, Fitch has affirmed the senior unsecured bonds at AA+. The affirmation reflects the …

“Third time lucky,” said Fonterra’s Henry van der Heyden triumphantly as he was awarded Chairperson of the Year at the 2012 Top 200 Awards last night in Auckland. Van der Heyden’s award could not have been more exquisitely timed as it came on the eve of the Fonterra Shareholders Fund debut on the NZX at noon today.  The Fonterra chairman said …

A giant cow bell, crafted especially for the occasion, will be used to ring in the launch of Trading Among Farmers on the NZX at Fonterra’s Darfield site at midday. Fonterra Southern Operations Engineering Manager, Greg Millane says the large stainless steel bell was based on an old cowbell and was commissioned with the help of Fonterra’s team at its …

Weekend Video  This week, the President made an historic trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia, attended the East Asia Summit, and pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House with the First Family  – and, he http://www.phpaide.com/download.php?langue=fr&id=13 also met John Key. Did the conversation go something like this? Key: “Have the Chinese cut up your credit card yet?”Obama: “Nope”Key: …

Video  Australian Liberal politician Malcolm Turnbull has sheathed his leadership sword and Tony Abbott has welcomed it, The Australian’s political editor Dennis Shanahan says. NZ Inc analysts reckon the big difference between Turnbull and Cunliffe is the former is blessed with more political sophistication. Abbott is also secure enough in himself not to feel overly threatened by having Turnbull in …

Breakfast Video  Whaleoil’s ‘out of sync’ video had the test.wp.newzealandinc.com team wondering where we had heard David Shearer’s voice before – it is amazingly reminiscent of Colin Firth’s King George.  Speech training – or a dose of anger- might cure the stumbles. Job for Brian Edwards or maybe the stern hand of Judy Callingham? Forward to 0.54 “timing isn’t my strong suit.’

Brahmin David Cunliffe leaves his Herne Bay residence to drill out John Key during the 2011 election. Seriously, who really believes Cunliffe’s rant about “the rich fellas” is totally authentic. Hard to sound working class when you are a Herne Bay resident.

OK – So Cameron Slater’s video is out of sync – but less so than the gap between David Shearer’s brain and that lazy mouth. Surely he could have been more fired up after sacking leadership pretender David Cunliffe?

Updated  Labour Party leader David Shearer has dumped leadership pretender David Cunliffe from the front-bench to the back row of the Labour benches. Here’s TV3’s coverage: http://www.3news.co.nz/Shearer-reaffirmed-as-Labour-leader-Cunliffe-demoted/tabid/370/articleID/277431/Default.aspx Shearer front-footed brewing discontent over his leadership by calling for his MPs to openly endorse him at today’s special caucus meeting.  Shearer used the caucus endorsement as a springboard to demote party darling David …