Nuplex Industries will pay $3m to shareholders as part of a settlement with the Securities Commission after failing to disclose it breached a debt covenant in 2008.

The kiwi dollar plunged nearly one US cent after today's Christchurch earthquake.

Investors flocked to oil and gold on world markets overnight amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with violence in Libya gathering steam.

Decision to let banks go under looks smarter by the day, in contrast to Ireland's costly bailout, reports Yalman Onaran.