Contact Energy has announced a one-for-nine renounceable rights issue to raise around $350m to help fund new geothermal power station.

As the markets try to divine how long "some time" is, the nuances of the statement are relatively upbeat.

The New Zealand sharemarket returned from the Easter long weekend to a little buoyancy in early trading.

Tourist numbers from Britain are down more than 11 per cent, and there are fears the market could drop for three years.

As if oil prices weren't enough to worry about, instant noodles are being blamed for an impending edible oil shock.

Local start-ups are facing massive challenges securing expansion-phase funding, says the head of a new venture capital fund that aims