New Zealand's ministers and officials have been given a new set of rules outlining how they can talk about listed companies.

New Zealand shares rose on the first trading day of 2013, following gains on Wall Street, as investors drove up companies that have featured on broker lists for 2013, such as PGG Wrightson and Ryman Healthcare.

The number of sharemarket trades hit a record high in December capping off the best year for the New Zealand stock market since 2004.

Iconic New Zealand business The Mad Butcher will be listed on the NZX early next year.

Fairfax has completed a sell-down of its 51 per cent stake in Trade Me, the online shopping site confirmed this evening.

Trade Me shares are in a trading halt, as announcements confirm Fairfax is selling its 51 per cent stake in the company.

Restaurant Brands' newly opened Carl's Jr burger store in Mangere has performed ahead of expectations during its first five days of trading, the company says.

We're unlikely to get a repeat of the New Zealand sharemarket's exceptional year, predicts Mark Lister.

Shares in Pyne Gould Corp plunged to a record low after yesterday's annual meeting in Auckland.

Tower has posted a 67 per cent jump in full-year profit and said it will return $120 million to shareholders.

Shares in Pharmacybrands rallied to a three-week high after the rcompany lifted first-half profit 52 per cent.

Fonterra said it had set its final price for units in the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund at $5.50 per unit - the top end of an indicative $4.60 to $5.50 range.

Fonterra will put in the bulk of shares required for the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund following a muted response from its farmer members.