New Zealand fund manager Milford has lost its top ranking among KiwiSaver growth funds after a decade at the top, as a global sell-off in technology stocks weighed on its performance. The shift reflects broader market jitters over high valuations in artificial intelligence-related shares. Rival providers with lighter tech exposure moved up the latest performance tables.

Australia's Queensland Land Court has approved Whitehaven Coal's proposed $1 billion mine expansion, rejecting a legal challenge from a conservation group. The ruling clears a major regulatory hurdle for the project in the state's coal-rich Bowen Basin. Whitehaven can now proceed toward final government approvals.

Westpac New Zealand cut one of its fixed-term home loan rates, joining a wider retreat in mortgage pricing among the country's major banks.

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra lifted its farmgate milk price forecast midpoint by 25 cents, citing firmer global demand for milk powder.