Wellington, Feb 23 NZPA - The Lombard Group, the parent of failed Lombard Finance, will go to its shareholders this week with details of a reverse takeover deal that could see it 98.5 percent owned by the shareholders of Perth-based insurer Australian Consolidated Insurance.

Wellington, Feb 2 NZPA - The New Zealand Superannuation Fund is investing between $US125 million and $US250m ($NZ176.4m-$NZ353.4m) in "catastrophe bonds".

Wellington, Jan 25 NZPA - A report released today shows job hiring expectations are on the rise over the next three months, with employers reporting a high level of confidence in the economy.

Wellington, Jan 9 NZPA - The insurance industry, which stands to benefit if compulsory third party insurance is introduced in New Zealand, is not disputing findings of a new survey that the problem of uninsured drivers on the roads is not as big as anecdotes suggest.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, Oct 23 NZPA - The Government's clear intention to open ACC to private competition has driven a wedge between trade unions and the business sector.

1. Public Health and Illness Prevention Programmes aimed at health promotion and preventing illness and injury are an investment in the future health of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Their success will have a major bearing on the level of treatment services that are needed in later years.

Wellington, Aug 20 NZPA - The insurance industry collected 9.6 percent more in premiums on life insurance policies and 11.9 percent more on risk products in the year to June 30 compared to the previous year.

by Pam Graham of NZPA Wellington, Aug 8 NZPA - Investors punished New Zealand's largest listed company Telecom today and that put the market index down.

Wellington, Aug 8 NZPA - Tower New Zealand shares rose 4.76 percent to $2.20 in afternoon trading after its 35 percent owner Guinness Peat Group sold out of Tower Australia at what is believed to be a $A200 million ($NZ256) profit.