Rubicon, the forestry biotech company spun out of Fletcher Challenge, reiterated plans for an initial public offer for ArborGen, the biotech forestry company it holds a third of, as it laments its languishing share price. The Auckland-based company has been mulling an ArborGen share float since August 2013, after an aborted attempt in 2011, though it has to weigh up the realisation of immediate value …

New Zealand wholesale trade sales rose in the third quarter, led by gains in the auto industry. Seasonally adjusted sales rose 0.7 percent to $22.08 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30, adding to a 1.8 percent increase in the second quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. On an unadjusted basis, wholesale trade was up 4.3 percent from the …

Shares of Evolve Education Group, the childcare business, rose 7 percent on its NZX debut after its initial public offer raised $132.3 million in new capital to fund its acquisitions in early childhood education. The stock first traded at $1.07, up from its $1 offer price, and valuing the company at $189.5 million. The Auckland-based company, set up in May by Greg …