Shares of Tower were halted on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges, as it reviews its Canterbury provisions and flags a “material impact” ahead of reporting its first-half earnings next month. In its request for a trading halt to the ASX and NZX, the insurer said in preparation for reporting its earnings in the six months ended March 31 it is “reviewing its Canterbury …

New Zealand recorded a bigger-than-expected trade surplus in March, as exports fell less than forecast. Statistics New Zealand said the trade surplus was $631 million in March, bigger than the $341 million expected in a Reuters poll of economists and compared with a February surplus of $83 million. Excluding the re-export of a drilling platform to Singapore, last month’s trade …

Genesis Energy, New Zealand’s largest energy retailer, cut its forecast for annual earnings after losing electricity and gas customers amid increased competition and as wholesale electricity prices declined. The shares dropped after the announcement. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and other fair value changes will be between $330 million and $345 million in the year ending June 30, the Auckland-based company …