New Zealand shares fell, led by telecommunications network operator Chorus, as investors become wary that increased regulation heading in to an election year may crimp earnings. The NZX 50 Index fell 14.505 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,794.95. Within the index, 32 stocks fell, 11 rose and seven were unchanged. Turnover was $104 million. Trading was lighter than normal for …

The former Crafar family farms controversially bought by China’s Shanghai Pengxin last year reported an operating loss in their first year of new ownership due to the widespread drought last summer. Pengxin New Zealand Farm Management reported an operating loss of $1 million in the year ended June 30 on revenue of $10.5 million, according to its first annual report …

The Bank of New Zealand is angling for a bigger slice of burgeoning Maori economic activity, establishing a $50 million fund to bridge financial gaps that can delay the payment of Treaty of Waitangi settlement funds to claimants. Around $1.5 billion in funds from existing Treaty claims are yet to be paid out, with the processes surrounding payouts sometimes taking …