Denmark has toppled New Zealand as having the world’s least corrupt public sector, in part because of the long gestation of new anti-graft legislation, which meant the nation couldn’t ratify the UN convention against corruption. New Zealand’s score of 91 out of 100 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2014,  while Denmark moved up one point to 92. Nearest neighbour Australia’s score fell to …

New Zealand shares rose led by Chorus as investors mull the impact of the proposed regulated price on the network operator’s copper lines, while Spark New Zealand extended its decline on the prospect higher costs. Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund gained on falling global dairy prices. The NZX 50 Index rose 73.031 points, or 1.3 percent, to 5503.066. Within the index, 40 stocks rose, …

The New Zealand dollar followed its trans-Tasman counterpart lower after weaker than expected Australian economic data weighed on the outlook for the two, and as investors continued to back the greenback. The kiwi fell to 77.71 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 77.91 cents at 8am, down 78.76 cents yesterday. The currency was little changed at 92.56 Australian cents from 92.53 cents …