Why immigration must stay strong, Bryers – the liquidator, Held hostage by hackers? Pay up, says lawyer

In NBR Print today: Continued house price inflation has led to calls for immigration to be curtailed until housing supply catches up. However, businesses are reporting rising skill shortages, with the construction sector being the most affected. That means any immigration restriction is only going to mean it takes longer to build the necessary houses. Rob Hosking reports.

It’s not surprising that a sizeable New Zealand law firm was recently hit by “ransomware.”

It’s increasingly common for hackers to sneak software on to a company’s network that encrypts its files, then demands a payment to unlock the data. But what’s more surprising is the law firm paid up, against police advice, and it regained control of its files. Chris Keall investigates.

Former Blue Chip boss Mark Bryers, who is alleged to have been illegally managing a group of Australian companies that collapsed owing millions, is now said to be working as a liquidator. Hamish McNicol finds out more.

Blowing the whistle on dodgy practices by corporates and governments is fraught with risk.

Now employers and employees have been asked to take part in the world’s largest research project into whistleblowing. Calida Smylie investigates what this means for New Zealand companies.

Rakon bosses boosted their pay in the past financial year despite the company slipping into the red.

Meanwhile, one of the company’s directors has resigned immediately without explanation.

The Shareholders’ Association isn’t happy and says the company is due for a grilling at its AGM in September. Campbell Gibson reports

Tim Hunter probes a mysterious offshore trust that was involved in some transtasman farming transactions concerning the Cushing family.

Hirepool chief executive Brian Stephen admits the company wasn’t quite ready to float two years ago when majority owner Next Capital had to withdraw its planned initial public offer. But he tells Duncan Bridgeman the business is now stronger than it has ever been as buyers return to the fray.

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All this and more in today’s NBR Print edition. Out now.

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