Pumpkin Patch, the children’s clothing chain, said full-year profit may drop as much as 35 percent in the face of intense competition in Australia, becoming the second local retailer this month to cite tough times across the Tasman. The shares tumbled to a 16-month low. Profit after tax, excluding reorganisation costs, is expected to be $7.5 million to $9 million …

New Zealand’s new building consents rose in May, adding to a surge in April, as construction intentions Auckland and Christchurch underpinned growth in the sector. New building permits rose 1.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted 1,818 last month, with a big build up in Auckland apartments, Statistics New Zealand said. The rose 21 percent in April. Stripping out apartments, seasonally …

Restaurant Brands, which operates four fast-food chains, expects 2014 annual profit to be “a little ahead” of the previous year as sales rise in a challenging economic environment and costs remain under control. The latest forecast reiterates the company’s comment on April 4 that profit would be higher than the $16.2 million for the 2013 financial year. No further details …