Postie Plus Group has again avoided a breach of its banking covenants and gained a 12-monthextension on its facilities. Bank of New Zealand completed its annual review of the banking facilities,” the Christchurch-based company said in a statement. Postie Plus yesterday flagged potential breaches of its banking covenants for the months of November 2012, January and April 2013. That came …

Energy Minister Phil Heatley is set to announce the results of this year’s block offer for oil and gas exploration permits on Tuesday next week, and government officials are confident more activity will follow in the coming years. General manager of New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals David Binnie told Parliament’s commerce committee the 2012 ‘block offer’ will be announced next …

Nufarm, the agricultural chemicals manufacturer, said first half earnings will rise at least 15 percent on improved trading in South America and Europe, and foreign exchange gains. A strong performance in South America and an improved outcome in Europe “will more than offset what is likely to be a weaker first half result in Australia,” managing director Doug Rathbone told …