Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - Taxpayers will no longer have to cough up for the cost of an expensive leaving present for the head of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) George Hickton, after Prime Minister John Key stepped in.

Wellington, Nov 30 NZPA - Jeweller Michael Hill has won another award for achievement in business -- the Beacon Award from the New Zealand Shareholders' Association.

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - Pumpkin Patch reported full year net profit, excluding non-recurring items, down 13.9 percent to $14.7 million, as difficult retail conditions continued in its markets.

Wellington, Sept 21 NZPA - Kevin Bowler is Tourism New Zealand's new chief executive. Mr Bowler, currently head of Telecom/Yahoo joint venture Yahoo!Xtra, would lead the award-winning organisation from January, Tourism New Zealand Chairman Greg Muir said today.

Wellington, Sept 8 NZPA - Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announced five new trustees to the Eden Park Trust Board. John Waller, Hugh Burrett, Michelle Boag, Morris Pita and Derek Dallow will join the board as Crown appointed trustees.

Wellington, Feb 24 NZPA - Children's clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch reported a 7 percent fall in half-year net profit to $9.5 million, saying the strength of its brand lessened the impact of difficult retail environments in all markets.

(Pix available on www.nzpaimages.co.nz) By Alastair Bull of NZPA Auckland, Dec 9 NZPA - Hanover Finance investors have overwhelmingly accepted a five-year rescue plan to save the company from receivership.

Wellington, Nov 20 NZPA - Hanover Finance is aiming to repay nearly 16,400 secured deposit investors their principal of more than $550 million within five years, under a debt restructure proposal.

Wellington, Nov 20 NZPA - Hanover Finance is aiming to repay most of hundreds of millions of dollars it owes investors within five years, under a debt restructure proposal announced today. The proposal is to be put to a vote of investors at Auckland on December 9.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - Greg Muir is stepping down as Pumpkin Patch's wholesale division executive chairman, although he will remain chairman, the company said today.