Australia has old-fashioned union arrangements and needs "a dose of Margaret Thatcher," says Mark Adamson, the British chief executive of Fletcher Building.

Trade Me, New Zealand's largest online auction site, posted slower profit growth for 2013 and warned earnings growth would remain tepid in the coming year.

The New Zealand dollar dropped almost half a US cent and the NZX suspended trading after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Wellington.

There has been much excitement about healthcare company Ebos since its spectacular $1.1 billion purchase of Australia's Symbion and its successful capital raising.

Slowing revenue growth means Xero's soaring share price can no longer be justified, a fund manager says.

Skellerup Rubber Services has been accused of selling faulty rubber rings to PVC pipe maker Marley New Zealand.

The FMA files civil proceedings against Diligent founder Brian Peter Henry for alleged involvement in the manipulation of company shares.

A weaker New Zealand dollar and signs of life in the US housing market have combined to drive the share price of timber products group Tenon higher.

NZ shares rose yesterday, pushing the NZX 50 Index to the highest close since late May, as Ryman Healthcare resumed its gains to a new record and Xero continued to draw investors betting on its global expansion plans.

Xero, the Kiwi accounting software provider that's yet to turn a profit, is now worth more than $2 billion.

Trading on New Zealand's stock market has been restarted after a three hour halt caused by technical issues.

A sell-off by international investors is likely to be behind the weakness in Mighty River Power's share price, say analysts.