Crane Group, the Australian building supplies company New Zealand's Fletcher Building is trying to take over, says its interim net profit will be up 17 per cent on last year.

Two of Auckland's best-known golf courses could become covered by hundreds of houses.

Experimental possum farming?

Crane Group has told its shareholders to reject Fletcher Building's A$740 million ($989 million) takeover bid.

Fletcher Building is launching a takeover bid for Australian building products company Crane Group.