New Zealand shares were mixed in subdued holiday trading, with Diligent Board Member Services leading gainers and Michael Hill International recording the biggest decline. Traders said the local market may enjoy a third year of gains in 2014. The NZX 50 Index rose 1.620 points, or 0.03 percent, to 4768.98. Within the index, 25 stocks rose, 15 fell and ten …

The New Zealand dollar is drifting lower in quiet holiday trading as investors bet the greenback is set to advance next year as the Federal Reserve pulls back on its monetary stimulus. The kiwi slipped to 81.32 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 81.55 cents at 8am. The trade-weighted index weakened to 77 from 77.18 this morning. Investors will …

New Zealand’s iron sand exports could soar to almost 10 million tonnes a year by 2016, as Australia’s BlueScope Steel adds shipping capacity at its Taharoa site and Trans-Tasman Resources remains hopeful of approval for its offshore mining venture. ASX-listed BlueScope said last week it will introduce a 175,000 tonne slurry loading vessel at Taharoa, south of Kawhia, in 2016 …