Microsoft New Zealand, the local arm of the world’s biggest software maker, lifted sales and profit last year while Hewlett Packard’s local unit extended its losses, highlighting increased demand for cloud-based services and weaker sales of personal computers. Sales at Microsoft NZ rose 2.9 percent to $78.5 million in the 12 months ended June 30, 2013, according to its annual …

Postie Plus, the worst performing stock on the New Zealand sharemarket the past year, had its shares placed on a trading halt pending a material announcement by the company. The Auckland-based retailer has previously said it expects to have a “significant” net loss before tax in the year ending Aug. 3, though smaller than last year’s loss of $10.6 million. Postie …

New Zealand angel investors are backing too few start-ups and should broaden their portfolios if they want to improve their chance of a return, according to Angel Association chairman Marcel van den Assum. The success of software companies such as Wellington-based Xero had helped foster an environment where start-ups can flourish, though local angel investors have been reluctant to expand …