Di Humphries, the former boss of Hallenstein Glasson’s women’s wear chain, is seen as a strong contender for the top job at children’s clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch after chief executive Neil Cowie resigned this week to lead Mitre 10 (New Zealand). Pumpkin Patch poached Humphries, a retailing industry veteran, from Hallenstein last year to be its merchandise and brand manager, …

The New Zealand dollar weakened as signs of improvement in the US economy point to the Federal Reserve reducing its monetary stimulus, bolstering the greenback. The kiwi slipped to 78.74 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 79.65 at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index fell to 75 from 75.54. The US dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket …

Guinness Peat Group, the New Zealand investment group winding down its portfolio, said the UK regulator has extended its investigation into the company’s pension schemes. The UK Pensions Regulator is extending its investigation into GPG’s Coats Pension Plan and its Brunel Holdings Pensions Scheme to also cover the Staveley Industries Retirement Benefits Scheme, GPG said in a statement. The company …