The New Zealand dollar rose ahead of the Reserve Bank’s statement on Thursday and after an Australian survey showed improving business conditions even while business confidence fell, giving traders more confidence economic growth across the Tasman won’t collapse. The kiwi rose to 62.76 US cents as at 5pm in Wellington, from 62.67 cents late yesterday. The trade-weighted index was little changed at 68.49 from 68.54 …

The Serious Fraud Office has laid Crimes Act charges against Victor John Clarke, a former director of failed media company MediaWeb, in the Auckland District Court for alleged offending involving $2.2 million. The two false accounting charges including using a forged document and obtaining by deception in his role as overseeing the accounting and financial aspects of the failed business. …

Kim Dotcom and his fellow Megaupload co-accused have again sought to delay their extradition fight with the US, claiming natural justice has been denied as they’re unable to pay for expert witnesses outside New Zealand. In the Court of Appeal Justices John Wild, John Fogarty and Jillian Mallon reserved their decision, while Justice Wild said they were “presented with an impossible task” given the size of the submissions …