New Zealand’s main share index dipped ahead of major news this week, including NZ economic indicators, US inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s last policy decision for the year.

Big stocks like Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Contact Energy and Ryman Healthcare helped drag down a flat and slightly wilted New Zealand market today as investors wait for an onslaught of data to come out next week.

Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund Units rose on New Zealand’s market today after the dairy co-op hiked its earnings guidance.

Energy companies were up across the board in New Zealand’s market today, coinciding with carbon prices dropping at the last auction for the year.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hiked its cash rate by an expected 0.25 basis point to 3.1% this afternoon, warning that a further increase in inflation was expected over the months ahead.

The New Zealand market started the week on a strong footing, with the local stock market higher and the kiwi dollar hitting a 10-month high against its Australian counterpart.

New Zealand's main share index finished the week up 2.5% buoyed by strong earnings results from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and a dovish speech from the US Federal Reserve.

The New Zealand dollar hit 63 cents against the US dollar today, the first time the kiwi has been that high against the greenback since August.

Christmas came early for Gentrack investors after its shares increased by almost 20% today, following an 18% jump yesterday.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's shares lifted the market higher after the healthcare manufacturer’s half-year earnings came out ahead of analyst expectations and the company’s own market guidance.

New Zealand’s market edged down today but aged-care provider stocks lifted on the news that the government was putting $200 million towards funding pay parity in the health sector.

Ryman Healthcare’s lift in its share price after a rough week was a movement of note on an otherwise quiet day of trading on the local sharemarket with the US closed for Thanksgiving.

The New Zealand market ended the day almost flat after a flurry of half-year results showed weaker profits, the day after the Reserve Bank of NZ warned a recession was on the way.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand shocked the market this afternoon with the revelation that its 75-basis-point cash rate hike could have been 100bps.

Aged-care provider and index heavyweight Ryman Healthcare dragged down New Zealand’s share market today as investors wait for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s cash rate hike tomorrow.

Heartland Group helped pull the market higher today, with most eyes still on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) as it decides whether to hike the official cash rate by 50 or 75 basis points on Wednesday.