Wellington, Aug 17 NZPA - Shares in Kea Petroleum fell 17.8 percent on London's AIM stock market overnight after the New Zealand-based oil and gas explorer said it will plug and abandon the offshore Tuatara-1 well off Nelson, because no economic potential has been identified in the area.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The starting date for a moratorium on water use from Canterbury's Hurunui River has been extended to August 2 so the public can be properly notified.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The starting date for a moratorium on water use from Canterbury's Hurunui River has been extended to August 2 so the public can be properly notified.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - Irrigation NZ (INZ) has welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River yesterday, saying it was commonsense where no proper water plan exists.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Opposition MPs have welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River but want further protection.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - A moratorium has been placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Rewarding businesses with good safety records by giving them ACC levy discounts could lead to some of them covering up workplace accidents, unions and the Labour Party say.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - Discounts on ACC levies for businesses with good safety records will encourage some employers to cover up workplace accidents, opponents say.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - Businesses will receive up to 50 percent discounts or penalties on their ACC workplace levies from April next year, depending on their claims records, the Government has announced.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - Businesses will receive discounts on their ACC levies to provide stronger incentives to improve workplace safety, ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today.