Latest New Zealand News

Cuscal Limited is set to acquire New Zealand payments provider Paymark for A$27 million, funded by a fully underwritten A$30 million institutional placement and a non-underwritten A$3 million share purchase plan. The deal, expected to complete by June 2026, will add scale and geographic diversification while being accretive to earnings in FY27.

Winton Land has gained conditional fast-track approval for its Ayrburn Screen Hub, a comprehensive film production and accommodation facility near Arrowtown, promising regional economic and environmental benefits.

Veris Limited has expanded its relationship with Hexagon’s Octave by becoming the authorised geospatial software distributor across Australia and New Zealand, aiming to generate an initial $1.2 million in annual recurring revenue.

Michael Hill International’s 2026 Investor Day highlights sustained sales growth, a streamlined brand portfolio, and a disciplined return to dividends, underpinned by AI-driven retailing and a reset of the Bevilles brand.

Westpac Banking Corporation reports steady lending and deposit growth alongside stable margins despite geopolitical headwinds, while transaction costs from its RAMS mortgage portfolio sale weigh on first-half profits.

Cleanaway has trimmed its FY26 EBIT forecast to $460-$480 million, citing a $20 million hit from rising fuel and logistics costs linked to the Middle East war. The company leans on contractual fuel cost pass-throughs and strategic supply deals to cushion the blow.

Green Cross Health (NZX: GXH) has acknowledged discussions with third parties about a possible sale of its Medical division but emphasised that no transaction is guaranteed. The company remains committed to updating shareholders as the situation develops.

Ariadne Australia’s latest nine-month update reveals strong growth in its Orams subsidiary but a $5.2 million estimated total loss driven by currency headwinds and market declines in key investments.

BHP Group has updated its dividend announcement to reveal the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) allocation price for the six months ending December 2025, confirming a fully franked USD 0.73 per share dividend payable in multiple currencies.

Critical Resources (ASX:CRR) has launched a systematic surface exploration program at the underexplored Corona Pegmatite Field, aiming to expand its Mavis Lake lithium resource in Ontario, Canada. The initiative complements the Gullwing exploration and supports CRR’s vision of developing a multi-deposit lithium district.

Fonterra has appointed Richard Allen as its new CEO starting 1 May 2026, marking a leadership transition aimed at sustaining strategic momentum and financial discipline. Allen’s deep roots in the cooperative and global experience position him to guide Fonterra’s next chapter.

Fonterra has completed a major $3.2 billion capital return to its shareholders through a Court-approved scheme, with payments scheduled for mid-April 2026.