Independent research house Morningstar has come out in favour of the upcoming Meridian Energy float, saying it is likely to appeal to long-term investors seeking yield.

Energy Minister Simon Bridges buried bad news about rising power prices by delaying release of official figures until just before a Parliamentary recess, Labour says.

The Government has loaned stricken state owned coal miner Solid Energy $100 million as part of a restructuring package announced this morning.

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the Citizens Initiated Referendum over asset sales will take place in late November and early December this year.

The Government says there has been strong early demand for its Meridian share offer, which opens today.

A plan to produce power for 250,000 homes from tidal turbines in Kaipara Harbour, north of Auckland, has been put on hold.

Close to half of the Meridian share offer has been claimed by New Zealand retail investors ahead of the offer opening tomorrow.

The Government has kicked off moves towards oil and gas exploration across huge areas of New Zealand and the surrounding oceans by consulting with iwi and local authorities in affected areas.

The Government has today announced a timeline for the Meridian float, in which it hopes to raise around $2.3 billion.

New Zealand's Catholic Church says it will "reflect" on a decision by Auckland Anglicans to sell out of all fossil fuel investments within two years.

Five months after the first share float of Mighty River Power a referendum on asset sales is to go ahead - news accidentally tweeted by the Greens co-leader.

Profits are up a notch at Vector, as its technology unit bolstered sagging earnings from traditional energy streams.

Meridian Energy - the jewel in the Government's portfolio of crown assets - may be worth nearly $2 billion less than it was valued at a year ago when it is finally listed.

A big questionmark remains as to the wisdom of rushing another and bigger float in a state-owned generator so soon after Mighty River Power, writes John Armstrong.

The Government has turned up the sweeteners to attract retail investors to the Meridian Energy sharemarket float but analysts say punters need to remain wary of the potential downsides.

Markets writer Tamsyn Parker says details for Meridian Energy's share market float provide both a huge incentive and the potential for a huge disaster for investors, writes Tamsyn Parker.

Details of the Meridian Energy share float have been released, and new shareholders will only have to pay 60 per cent up front for a stake in our biggest power company.

Shares in Z Energy debuted on the NZX at $3.73, a 23-cent (6.6 per cent) premium to their $3.50 issue price today.

Transtasman analysts have decidedly different views on Z Energy, the fuel and services company which lists on the NZX this morning.