Local hapu Ngati Whatua Orakei now says it isn't selling a prime piece of Auckland waterfront land to retirement village operator Ryman - it's only leasing it.

NZ shares were mixed yesterday as investors cast forward to next month's earnings season, and as regional markets mulled this week's Federal Reserve meeting.

Earnings from NZ's biggest listed retirement village specialist, will rise phenomenally as it builds new accommodation, an expert has forecast.

Simon Challies is an innovative thinker whose time at the helm of Ryman Healthcare has been critical to the firm's success, says David Kerr, chairman of the retirement village operator.

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.

Ryman Healthcare may seek a listing on the ASX as it looks across the Tasman to extend a decade of profit growth.

Shares in Christchurch-based retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare have jumped by 5.2pc after it reported a record $84m profit.

Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare has posted its 10th successive annual profit increase.