New Zealand confidence rose in the final quarter of 2013 to its second highest reading in the last two years, but optimism about wage growth slumped to its lowest in 18 months. The Westpac McDermott Milller Employment Confidence Index rose to 103.4 in the fourth quarter from 102.8 from the prior quarter, in the scale where 100 separates optimists from …

The New Zealand dollar fell as fears over China’s financial sector re-emerged on reports a troubled trust product won’t be bailed out, ahead of economic data which is expected to show the world’s second-biggest economy is still growing, albeit at a slower pace. The kiwi fell to 82.46 US cents at 8am from 82.62 cents at the close of trading …

The New Zealand dollar climbed to a new eight-year high against its trans-Tasman counterpart after weak Australian jobs data highlighted the divergent interest rate outlooks between the neighbouring economies. The kiwi rose as high as 94.80 Australian cents, trading at 94.72 cents at 8am from 94.45 cents yesterday. The local currency increased to 83.44 US cents from 83.29 cents yesterday. …