New Zealand shares eked out another rise as the broadly positive tone since New Year continued, with substantial volumes noted in some key stocks. The NZX50 Index was up 0.64 points, or 0.01 percent, to 4187.72. Within the index, 23 stocks rose, 14 rose and 13 were unchanged. Turnover was $ 133.213 million. “There seems to be some reasonable volume …

The New Zealand dollar firmed against the Australian dollar after a weaker-than-expected inflation report increased the chances of a an official interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The kiwi was at 79.78 Australian cents at 5pm, up from 79.53 Australian cents at 8am. The aussie dollar weakened on news that the headline consumers price index rose 0.2 …

A $40 million government procurement deal to supply wallboard for the Christchurch rebuild is being used as a way to inject competition into New Zealand’s high-cost home building market. With home affordability a hot political issue, and lack of competition for building supplies identified as a key issue by a Productivity Commission report, the government has announced it will split …