New Zealand Refining, the nation’s only oil refinery, said two unions representing 160 of its workers, or about half its workforce, have served notice of a two-day strike next month, a move that could result in $8 million to $9 million of lost processing fees. First Union and the New Zealand Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union gave notice of strike action covering …

Investors in OPI Pacific Finance are still in the dark over the value of a potential deal with the failed lender’s former auditor after ASX-listed Crowe Horwath rejected the OPI receiver’s version of the settlement. Last week, Crowe Horwath, which became liable for the settlement through its acquisition of Lower Hutt-based accounting firm Sherwin Chan & Walshe, said it had reached a deal …

The New Zealand dollar fell alongside the Australian and Canadian dollars on concern slowing growth in China would reduce demand for the countries’ commodities. The kiwi slipped to 81.28 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 81.56 cents at 5pm yesterday, while the Australian dollar fell to 88.75 US cents from 89.35 cents, and the Canadian dollar dropped to 90.64 US cents …