Trading in Air New Zealand shares suspended again

9.10 am

The Market Surveillance Panel has halted trading on the New Zealand Stock Exchange of Air New Zealand shares, saying it is awaiting "clarification of statements made by Greg Terry of Brierley Investments Limited, an Air New Zealand Director, appearing in today's media".

It is the second time in two days that trading has been halted after comments about the value of shares in the financially troubled Air New Zealand.

On Wednesday, the NZSE halted trading at the opening of the market following a remark by Prime Minister Helen Clark that shareholders should "hang onto" their shares.

Trading resumed Wednesday afternoon after Air New Zealand issued a statement saying the Prime Minister's comments did not indicate the future structure of the airline. Share prices then recovered some of the value they had lost the previous day.

From today's Herald: