Opus International Consultants, the engineering firm with one of four mandates to lead design the rebuild of Christchurch city, is asking shareholders to approve a joint venture with a sister firm to target the Middle East. The Wellington-based firm wants to set up a venture with Opus International (M) Bhd (OIMB), a sister company to Opus’ cornerstone shareholder Opus International …

The New Zealand dollar gained against the euro as Cyprus nears a deadline to secure a European Union bailout to avoid a collapse of its banks and the possible exit from the euro zone. The kiwi traded at 64.39 euro cents from 64.22 cents in late New York trading on Friday. It slipped to 83.38 US cents from 83.51 cents. …

The rally that has propelled the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index 9.2 percent higher so far this year may finally-this week-bring the benchmark index to a fresh record. The index is now about 10 points shy of its all-time high of 1,565.15 and it could get the boost it needs as traders position their holdings for the end of the …