New Zealand shares fell on the last trading day of 2013 on perceptions that valuations in the local market have become a little stretched pending more evidence of earnings growth. Xero, Summerset Group and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare paced the decline. The NZX 50 Index fell 31.970 points, or 0.7 percent, to 4737.010 and has advanced 17 percent in 2013. …

Property developers, retailers, fashion designers and other businesspeople were among those awarded New Year Honours by the Queen this year. The honours are made by Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as the Queen of New Zealand, to recognise the achievements or service by New Zealanders or for New Zealand. Prime Minister John Key reinstated the awarding of knighthoods and …

The New Zealand dollar rose to an eight-month high against the yen as New Zealand heads into a period of higher interest rates while Japan eyes further stimulus to boost its economy. The kiwi rose as high as 86.37 yen early this morning and was trading at 86.23 yen at 8am in Wellington from 85.61 yen at 5pm yesterday. The …