Fletcher the 'useless monopoly needs to be busted'

Fletcher the 'useless monopoly needs to be busted'
An investment banker told BusinessDesk that a full takeover of Fletcher would be hard to pull off. (Image: Getty)
Rebecca Stevenson
Fletcher Building has been labelled New Zealand’s most useless company and a monopoly that needs to be busted. Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch said Fletcher Building could be the only monopoly in the world that can’t make a buck after the firm announced a $120 million loss in the six months to December 2023. MacCulloch said it was time to break up Fletcher Building and “end the dubious Fletcher legacy on this country”.On Tuesday, Simplicity founder Sam Stubbs said the firm would be mor...

More Markets

Leaders, property sector helps drive NZ stocks higher
Markets Market Close

Leaders, property sector helps drive NZ stocks higher

The S&P/NZX 50 Index was 62.33 points or 0.46% higher at 13,514.09.

Jamie Gray 03 Oct 2025
Northport expansion gets green light, updated conditions
Infrastructure

Northport expansion gets green light, updated conditions

Shares in Port of Tauranga, which owns 50% of Northport, rose 2% after the news.

John Anthony 03 Oct 2025
Govt outlines strategy to deliver Defence Capability Plan
Economy

Govt outlines strategy to deliver Defence Capability Plan

The economy and NZ industry would be beneficiaries.

Staff reporters 03 Oct 2025
NZ's shrinking sharemarket mirrors global challenge
Markets Stock & Trade

NZ's shrinking sharemarket mirrors global challenge

How could our capital markets be deepened? 

Stock & Trade 03 Oct 2025