Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, the fruit grower and coolstore and packhouse operator, reported a 92 percent dive in first-half profit as the outbreak of Psa-V vine bacteria takes its heaviest toll on certain kiwifruit varieties. Net profit sank to $672,000, or 5 cents per share, in the six months ended June 30, from $8.5 million, or 59 cents, a year earlier, …

New Zealand shares fell with Australian shares ahead of the federal election and after that nation unexpectedly posted a trade deficit. Telecom and Fletcher Building paced the decline, along with Australia & New Zealand Banking Group and Westpac Banking Corp. The NZX 50 Index fell 5.955 points, or 0.1 percent, from a four-month high to 4604.351. Within the index, 26 …

The New Zealand dollar held its gain in local trading after investors got more optimistic over global growth on the strength of Chinese services data, and ahead of US employment figures. The kiwi traded at 78.98 US cents at 5pm from 79.07 cents at 8am, up from 78.08 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 74.68 from 74 yesterday. Risk-sensitive …