Wellington, Sept 24 NZPA - Air New Zealand is optimistic operating earnings will improve next year despite another "tough year", its chairman told its annual shareholder meeting today.

By Paloma Migone of NZPA Wellington, Sept 10 NZPA - Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue alliance plans have taken a blow after Australia's competition regulator issued a draft decision denying them permission to merge.

Wellington, Sept 10 NZPA - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft determination proposing to deny authorisation for an alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue, saying it is likely to reduce competition in the trans-Tasman market.

Wellington, Sept 29 NZPA - The Commerce Commission is scrutinising prepaid phonecards that offer discounted national and international landline calls.

Wellington, March 26 NZPA - Vodafone has joined Telecom in criticising the Commerce Commission's call for drastic reductions in mobile termination rates, saying cutting rates will not necessarily mean savings will be passed on to customers.

Wellington, Aug 13 NZPA - Complaints about Australasia's largest catalogue retailer, EziBuy, using misleading labelling and advertising have had continuing consequences on both sides of the Tasman.