Simon Hartley

A scuppered multimillion-dollar commercial redevelopment in Dunedin has been replaced by a new, more-than-$5 million project on the same site - involving nationwide chain Big Save Furniture.

Clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson has delivered where its competitors are stumbling, booking increased revenue and a more than 25% profit boost for its half-year trading to February.

Dunedin-based biotech company Pacific Edge has announced another contract for its expanding diagnostic bladder cancer test, which appears to be going from strength to strength.

Cash-starved Dunedin bio-tech company Blis Technologies has warned shareholders of the likelihood of posting two consecutive annual losses totalling more than $2.5 million, a need for more capital and the possibility of delisting from the New Zealand Stock Exchange.

A month after Pastoral Dairy Investments' fund launch - seeking to attract more than $75 million to $100 million in start-up capital - analysts are still number crunching the details.

Dunedin-based Scott Technology's diversification in recent years has paid dividends as its niche mining division took up the slack from challenging trading in its appliance manufacturing division.

Environmentalists, whose objections to coal mining on the Denniston plateau above Westport are escalating, scored a major point when Prime Minister John Key confirmed that yet-to-be-negotiated access agreements with the Department of Conservation would be publicly notified.

Port Otago's half-year result was buoyed by its property division in the face of substantial declines in some areas of its port operations, but replicated last year's $2.5 million dividend to 100% owner the Otago Regional Council.

Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Kathmandu was punished by shareholders yesterday after its half-year profit slumped more than 40% in the face of squeezed margins and competition across all its operations in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

All creditors are expected to be paid from the liquidation of United Services Community Club once the sale of its South Dunedin premises is finalised.

Chatham Rock Phosphate is moving swiftly following its recapitalisation and has sent a vessel to the Chatham Rise yesterday to begin a month-long environmental impact report, which forms part of its plan to apply for a seabed mining licence.