What's in today's Independent Financial Review

Caucus furore over Brash's private life

Increased scrutiny in Parliament of Don Brash's private life sparked anger behind the scenes yesterday in the National Party caucus, reopening speculation about his suitability for leadership. Labour cabinet ministers openly questioned Brash about his use of the word "affair" and his relationship with the Business Roundtable in parliament last week. National MPs asked him about his private life in caucus, sparking an uproar after he declined to comment. Tim Donoghue reports.

NZ squeezed out in rush for Free Trade Agreements.

New Zealand's edge as an early negotiator of free trade agreements is being eroded to the point it risks being shut out of key deals, Trade Minister Phil Goff has warned. He suggests New Zealand needs to focus on fewer deals as an increasing number of larger countries jostle with the likes of New Zealand for deals with China and others. Denise McNabb reports.

Air NZ faces dogfight on its new Hong Kong route

Air New Zealand's move to open a new route through Hong Kong to London looks to have run head on into a price war with a budget start up airline called Oasis Hong Kong offering $200 flights to London. Denise McNabb reports.

ASB pulls Numeria credit line, but BNZ steps in

Loss-making Auckland-based finance company Numeria is to lose one of its bankers. The ASB is withdrawing its credit lines, forcing the BNZ to increase its funding. Numeria provides personal loans and operating leases to businesses through a variety of partners. Numeria is partly owned by Capital + Merchant. Denise McNabb reports.

NZX to change electronic trading system

The New Zealand Exchange plans to swap out its existing stock trading platform for the new one it plans to develop to take on the Australian Stock Exchange. The new platform is likely to be rolled out in the middle of next year and give the NZX the opportunity to offer gas and electricity futures contracts. Nick Stride and Bernard Hickey report.

Elsewhere, we editorialise on the government's productivity performance, we detail a sharp rise in electricity industry profits and we include an interview with Ron Brierley.

ENDS

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