The New Zealand dollar strengthened after the central bank signalled that inflationary pressures from housing and construction are likely to push up interest rates. The kiwi rose to a six-week high of 81.06 US cents and was at 80.79 cents at the 5pm market close in Wellington, from 79.80 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index jumped to 76.03 from 75.57 yesterday. …

New Zealand shares rose as Tower recovered from its post-quake decline and Fletcher Building gained from its recent slide. OceanaGold fell after reporting a second-quarter impairment tied to the price of gold. The NZX 50 Index rose 5.194 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4581.99. Within the index, 22 stocks rose, 19 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was $93 million. …

New Zealand’s productivity watchdog is turning its attention to why service industries, making up more than two-thirds of economic activity, underperform compared to the same sector in other developed economies. Releasing the first of two reports for public comment, the Productivity Commission says the services sector “includes industries with the lowest levels of labour productivity in the economy and also …