Simon Hartley

Protesters opposed to oil-exploration yesterday caused a meeting between Shell and mainly business groups in Dunedin to be abandoned.

Interest in east coast South Island deep-water oil and gas basins is again the focus of exploration.

Dunedin-based cancer diagnostic company Pacific Edge has added China to its growing list of countries recognising patents on its products.

Port Otago's 15.5% stake in Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) has grown in value by $5.6 million in recent weeks, in the wake of an almost 30% share spike since early April.

Manufacturing activity in Otago and Southland was up slightly during April, but remained in contraction and well below the more positive, seasonally adjusted national rating.

Ryman Healthcare's stellar share price during the past year has been vindicated after it yesterday booked its 11th consecutive after-tax profit, rising 13% from $120.7 million to $136.7 million.

New Zealand businesses are being warned not to overstretch themselves into growth Asian markets as European sovereign debt continues to mount.

Offshore oil and gas exploration consents will not need to be publicly notified, in another move by the Government to entice major oil companies to New Zealand's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The insurance industry's move this year from offering unlimited replacement cover on homes to sum-insured cover remains fraught for householders.

Drought has booted Skellerup's sales into an estimated 15% decline, more than expected by analysts, prompting a downgrade.

The low interest rate climate and an increasing risk appetite has prompted a surge in numerous share values as investors target companies with high growth expectations.

Oceana Gold has booked a $US7.1 million ($NZ8.3 million) after-tax profit for the quarter to March, but that was down 70% on the previous quarter's profit.

The multibillion-dollar Harvard University endowment fund has received Overseas Investment Office (OIO) permission to continue expanding its dairy farm holdings in the Maniototo in Central Otago, already among the largest in the country.

The future of City Forests' mothballed $15 million Milburn wood processing plant appears assured with lessee Winton-based Craigpine Timber steadily increasing log processing, since taking over in July last year.