The New Zealand dollar extended gains through the local session after Australian growth renewed investors’ interest in the trans-Tasman currencies after rising dairy prices and strong US equity markets sparked off an earlier rally. The kiwi rose to 83.28 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 83.18 cents at 8.30am and 82.92 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 76.32 …

Veteran corporate raider Sir Ron Brierley cashed in more Guinness Peat Group shares as the investment firm he helped found draws closer to next incarnation, while at the same time chairman Rob Campbell, who’s leading the transformation, built up his stake. On March 4, Sir Ron sold 5 million shares at 48.5 Australian cents apiece, totalling some A$2.43 million, or …

Fresh from its big win in the Court of Appeal on the use of Optional Convertible Notes to avoid corporate tax, the Inland Revenue Department is warning individual taxpayers who have reduced their tax through income diversion schemes to come forward by March 31. By making a voluntary disclosure and reordering their tax liabilities within the concession period, taxpayers will …