Productivity levels in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector have improved in comparison to the rest of the kiwi economy since the global financial crisis.

Cutting red tape and strengthening the partnership between canegrowers, stakeholders and the Queensland government is the aim of a new sugar industry sustainability deal announced today.

Incitec Pivot yesterday took delivery of a vital part to fix its waste hear boiler, after the boiler’s failure two weeks ago forced the company’s acid plant to close.

Shares in Lynas Corporation rose after the company announced that about 100 containers of rare earths concentrate had arrived for processing at its new Malaysian plant.

Austal has announced a discounted rights issue to carry out an $85 million recapitalisation.