Wellington, Jan 29 NZPA - With local authority rates rising last year at three times the rate of inflation, a business-oriented lobby group says ratepayers expect more frugality from councils this year.

Wellington, Jan 27 NZPA - The Government has agreed to fund and make compulsory a livestock tracing scheme, though farmers will be stung for ear tag costs.

Wellington, Jan 23 NZPA - Farm lobbyists say banks are milking farmers by charging unnecessarily high interest rates on overdrafts provided to farmers.

Councils are in for a shock if Local Government Minister Rodney Hide delivers on a promise he made today to rein in rates.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - Councils are in for a shock if Local Government Minister Rodney Hide delivers on a promise he made today to rein in rates.