The New Zealand dollar surged on optimism global economic growth is recovering and as safe haven currencies declined in light of no imminent western military action in Syria. The kiwi jumped to 79.07 US cents at 8am in Wellington from 78.08 cents at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 74.70 from 74 yesterday. Growth-sensitive currencies such as the kiwi …

New Zealand shares rose, as Fletcher Building gained to a 7-month high on signs of life in the Australian economy and amid perceptions the local market offers reasonably attractive dividend yields in a world of low interest rates. The NZX 50 Index rose 3.595 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4610.306, the highest close in four months. Within the index, 18 …

Flamboyant internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom has resigned as a director of his Mega data storage empire to focus on his efforts on fighting extradition to the United States and other projects. Dotcom resigned as a director of Mega on Aug. 29, and was replaced by Hong Kong-based Bonnie Lam the same day, according to filings to the Companies Office. Dotcom …