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Energy Minister Phil Heatley is set to announce the results of this year’s block offer for oil and gas exploration permits on Tuesday next week, and government officials are confident more activity will follow in the coming years. General manager of New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals David Binnie told Parliament’s commerce committee the 2012 ‘block offer’ will be announced next …

Nufarm, the agricultural chemicals manufacturer, said first half earnings will rise at least 15 percent on improved trading in South America and Europe, and foreign exchange gains. A strong performance in South America and an improved outcome in Europe “will more than offset what is likely to be a weaker first half result in Australia,” managing director Doug Rathbone told …

Emulex, the NYSE-listed data storage maker, offered to buy Endace, at a 69 percent premium to its last trading price, winning over the target company’s independent directors. A subsidiary of Emulex, El Dorado Research Venture, plans to offer 5 pounds a share cash for Endace, the New Zealand-based, London Stock Exchange listed company that commercialised cyber-security research done by Waikato …

The New Zealand dollar rose after Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler kept his forecast track for interest rates almost unchanged and gave no signal there’s room for the official cash rate to be cut. The kiwi dollar rose to 82.81 US cents from 82.49 cents immediately before the monetary policy statement was released. The trade-weighted index rose to 73.84 from …

New Zealand’s unemployment rate of 7.3 percent overstates the weakness of the country’s labour market, which has been tapering off through the latter half of this year, the Reserve Bank says. The bank’s latest forecast is more downbeat about the level of unemployment over the next two years, but isn’t convinced joblessness is at a 13-year high as shown in …

The persistent strength of the New Zealand dollar has been a “significant headwind” to the economy as it erodes export earnings and encourages local consumers to buy foreign-made goods, according to Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler. The Reserve Bank has raised its forecasts for the currency over the coming two years, as international money markets chase yields in a low …

The Reserve Bank is keeping a watchful eye on the country’s property market, which has started heating up as low mortgage rates and easier lending criteria encourage first-home buyers. RBNZ governor Graeme Wheeler, who held the official cash rate at 2.5 percent today, said the housing market, particularly Auckland, is starting to strengthen with cheaper bank funding costs leading to …

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler kept the official cash rate at 2.5 percent, as expected, saying monetary policy is still focused on future inflation and that he’s looking for any sign of more softening in prices. “The bank is closely monitoring indicators for any sign of further moderation and is mindful of recent downside surprises to employment and inflation outturns,” …

The persistent strength of the New Zealand dollar has been a “significant headwind” to the economy as it erodes export earnings and encourages local consumers to buy foreign-made goods, according to Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler. The Reserve Bank has raised its forecasts for the currency over the coming two years, as international money markets chase yields in a low …

Trade analysts and stakeholders in Auckland for the TPP talks have told newzealandinc.com not to expect any progress on “sensitive” issues – including agricultural access – during this the 15th round of negotiations. It’s all “too hard”; “too early” – which doesn’t really cut it if this deal is to be in sufficient shape for final-decision making by political players …