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 …

OceanaGold Corp, whose share price has plunged 59 percent in the past three months, will put off production at its Reefton mine, putting it into care and maintenance in mid-2015 until the price of gold improves. The move amounts to a two-year reduction in the mine schedule and will cut production by 110,000 ounces between 2015 and 2017 to achieve …