Nov 30, 2017  -  (BusinessDesk) - BioNona, which markets skin treatment creams developed by biochemist and chief executive Iona Weir, says it has gained US Food and Drug Administration approval for its Atopis eczema cream treatment, giving it access to a market worth as much as US$6 billion.

It marks the first such FDA approval for a New Zealand-developed over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical skincare cream and is a culmination of more than 30 years of research and pharmaceutical development by Auckland scientist Weir, whose other projects have included the kiwifruit-based Phloe laxative product produced by Vital Foods Processors, where Weir was chief scientific officer until 2014.

Weir said the US market for OTC eczema creams amounts to about US$2 billion, or one-third of the total market. BioNona plans to sell online via Amazon on its eczema treatments page which only allows FDA-approved products. She said in the US about 50 percent of OTC sales now occur online through approved USFDA outlets such as Amazon.

"I suspect it will be our biggest product, though consumers use the eczema cream and then buy the other products," she said. "So it is more of a lead product that draws consumers in."

The Atopis eczema cream is already for sale but to date has been marketed as Dry Itchy Skin Relief Cream. The FDA approval means they can be re-branded as an eczema treatment. BioNona plans to seek FDA approval for its acne-prone skin care next, Weir said.

According to BioNona's website, Atopis contains myriphytase, a patented novel compound "developed for use in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and acne." Myriphytaseis is created through a patented process called Peptilization, which "fuses together plant, bacterial and insect components."

The work grew out of Weir's Ph.D. in 1997 on programmed cell death in plants known as apoptosis. Her research showed apoptosis in plants was reversible, unlike in animals, and she was able to extract "critical reactions" in plants that could be put in a cream as a topical application for skin conditions in humans, such as eczema and acne. The extract encourages the body's immune response to attack affected areas and repair damaged cells, she told the International Conference on Clinical and Experimental Dermatology in Chicago last year.

The acne cream also contains the myriphytase extract "but it has gone through a different enzymatic fermentation reaction so that it has the bioactive properties required to treat acne," she said today.

Weir has a holding of about 33 percent in Decima Health, which owns the patents and did the research. Decima, in turn, owns 75 percent of BioNona, which was set up to handle manufacturing and distribution.

The company's chair is Paul Dallimore, who also owns about a third of Decima and was the original angel investor in the business, having been given a sample of the cream by Weir which he tried on a grandchild. Dallimore was the founder of National Property Trust and is chair of the Highgate Group.

Weir said the company hopes to have the eczema cream on sale to US consumers from the start of February next year.

Weir won an international award for her original Ph.D. and was able to continue her research with a grant from the Marsden Fund. A grant from Callaghan Innovation helped fund the double blind placebo controlled clinical trial completed by Southern Clinical Trials Group at the end of 2015.

(BusinessDesk receives funding to help cover the commercialisation of innovation from Callaghan Innovation.)

| A BusinessDesk release  ||  November 29,  2017   |||

Nov 30, 2017  - Zespri Shipping Manager Mike Knowles says Seatrade has decided to exit the Meridian shipping routes to Northern Europe and East Coast North America. CMA CGM has agreed to step in and provide uninterrupted service on these routes for New Zealand exporters. “We’ve partnered with Seatrade for many years and enjoyed excellent and loyal service from the company for which we thank them." “While it’s sad that they won’t be operating in New Zealand anymore, we’re confident that CMA CGM will run an excellent service for the NZ kiwifruit industry in future. CMA CGM will provide a fixed-day weekly service with a best-in-class 32-day transit to Zeebrugge next season which is based around the purpose-built Seatrade colour class ships and water-cooled containers." “This service is based on the FDD principle (Fast, Dedicated and Direct) and we’re confident that this service will be successful for both parties." The announcement has been welcomed not only by the kiwifruit industry, but by many NZ perishable shippers as well who want to get their goods quickly into this key European market.

| A FreshPlaza release by Rachel Lynch   ||  November 30,  2017   |||

Nov 29, 2017  - Synlait Milk (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) today announced that long-time Chief Executive Officer and founder John Penno intends to step down from his position in the next 12 months, as part of an orderly transition to position Synlait for its next phase of growth.  “John has been an exceptional leader for Synlait, but there was always going to be a time when he would move on to fresh challenges. I am glad John’s decision has come at a time where we can provide a well-managed leadership transition. The company is in very healthy shape with a strong balance sheet and a clear future growth plan,” said Graeme Milne, Synlait Chairman.

Mr Penno has been the CEO and Managing Director of Synlait Milk for 12 years, and a founder of Synlait five years before that.

“The Board is embarking on an international search for the right person to lead the business into the future, and John has committed to continuing in the role of CEO until a successor is found and in place.”

“The new CEO will be taking on a company in strong shape, and with a clear vision and growth strategy. Synlait has grown from a start-up in the early 2000s to a highly profitable company listed on the NZX and ASX, with a team of 600 staff, a blue chip set of customers focused in the infant formula category, and committed farmer suppliers. It is currently earning annual revenue of $759 million and has a market capitalisation of over $1.3 billion.”

“From this platform, the company is looking for a CEO with the skills and experiences to take Synlait up another level. We have already signalled to shareholders our intention to continue to develop our infant formula business, and enter new categories where there are significant opportunities.”

“We have expressed our desire for John to continue in a governance role on the Synlait Milk Board of Directors,” said Mr Milne.

“After 17 years of living and breathing this company, it is time to move on, but I share the Board’s intention for me to continue as a Director of Synlait Milk,” said Mr Penno.

“There will be very clear processes to ensure the incoming CEO has the freedom and scope to make her or his mark on Synlait’s future, and I’m looking forward to taking a supporting role.”

“Once the new CEO is in place, I am looking forward to getting back to my entrepreneurial roots and will be looking for opportunities to get involved with start-ups and young companies, which is where my wife, Maury, and I want to continue to make a contribution.”

| A Synlait release  ||  November 29,  2017   |||

Nov 29, 2017  - Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Council, Abbie Reynolds, says climate change could be the greatest economic disruption in our lifetimes and the largest driver of innovation since World War Two.  The Sustainable Business Council has this morning publicly released its submission to the Productivity Commission on the transition to a low emissions economy.

Abbie Reynolds says leading Kiwi businesses are increasingly putting climate change at the centre of their strategy and business models. They see the transition to a low emissions economy as one of the biggest business opportunity in the foreseeable future.

"International research estimates work to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals could unlock new markets worth US $12 trillion and 380 million new jobs. We need to change the conversation - and talk about the innovations and opportunities emerging in New Zealand, like solar energy, battery storage and electric vehicles. We need to galvanise action and innovation, and the current narrative doesn’t inspire that."

"Many Sustainable Business Council members know there can be no more business as usual. Climate change is a global issue already affecting business in New Zealand directly through increasingly extreme weather events, and indirectly through divestment away from fossil fuels."

Our members want to see a national dialogue on the transition and what it will mean. SBC believes a successful transition is underpinned by cross-sector collaboration between businesses, government, academia and the community. Collaboration, open dialogue and transparent data and analysis will be critical to shaping a successful framework of policies, incentives, financing mechanisms and market initiatives.

The path to a low emissions economy needs to be co-designed and therefore co-owned by all New Zealanders.

Our members are also looking for policy predictability. They want to see the discussion de-politicised, beyond the election cycle, so they can make the right investment decisions and changes.

"We need to be thoughtful about how we manage the transition. Emissions intensive sectors risk losing their competitiveness offshore, if they have to internalise the cost of carbon before their competitors."

"If New Zealand gets the transition right we stand to gain a holistic outcome that is in everyone’s long-term interests. We need a positive narrative that inspires action."

| A SBC release  ||  November 29,  2017  |||

Nov 29, 2017  -  New Zealand’s financial system remains sound and risks to the system have reduced over the past six months, Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer said today when releasing the Bank’s November Financial Stability Report.  “Momentum in the global economy has continued to build over the past six months, reducing near-term risks to financial stability. However, the New Zealand financial system remains exposed to international risks related to elevated asset prices and high levels of debt in a number of countries. “Domestically, LVR policies have been in place since 2013 to address financial stability risks arising from rapid house price inflation and increasing household debt. These policies have helped improve banking system resilience by substantially reducing the share of high-LVR loans. Over the past six months, pressures in the housing market have continued to moderate due to the tightening of LVR restrictions in October 2016, a more general firming of bank lending standards and an increase in mortgage interest rates in early 2017. “Housing market policies announced by the Government are also expected to have a dampening effect on the housing market. “In light of these developments, the Reserve Bank is undertaking a modest easing of the LVR restrictions. From 1 January 2018, the LVR restrictions will require that:· No more than 15 percent (currently 10 percent) of each bank’s new mortgage lending to owner occupiers can be at LVRs of more than 80 percent.· No more than 5 percent of each bank’s new mortgage lending to residential property investors can be at LVRs of more than 65 percent (currently 60 percent). “The Bank will monitor the impact of these changes and will only make further LVR adjustments if financial stability risks remain contained. A cautious approach will reduce the risk of resurgence in the housing market or deterioration in lending standards. Deputy Governor Geoff Bascand said “Looking at the financial system more broadly, the banking system maintains adequate buffers over minimum capital requirements and appears to be performing its financial intermediation role efficiently. The recovery in dairy commodity prices since mid-2016 has supported farm profitability and has helped to reduce bank non-performing loans in the sector. Recent stress tests suggest that banks are well positioned to withstand a severe economic downturn and operational risk events. “The Bank has released two consultation papers on the review of bank capital requirements and a third paper on the measurement and aggregation of bank risk will be released shortly. The aim of the capital review is to ensure a very high level of confidence in the solvency of the banking system while minimising complexity and compliance costs. “The Bank has also completed a review of the bank directors’ attestation regime and is making good progress in implementing a new dashboard approach to quarterly bank disclosures. This is expected to go live next May,” Mr Bascand said. More information· Financial Stability Report

| A RBNZ release  ||  November 29, 2017   |||

Nov 29, 2017  -  Two licensed building practitioners (LBPs) have been held to account by the Building Practitioners Board for serious offences relating to their performance and conduct as LBPs. Christchurch-based LBP Stefan Mortimer has been ordered to pay $1500 and had his license cancelled for what the Board described as a cavalier attitude towards Building Code compliance.

“Mr Mortimer failed to obtain building consents for two buildings he constructed on land he owned for his family to reside in. These buildings did not comply with the Building Code in terms of structural integrity, amenities or sanitation,” says Registrar LBP scheme Paul Hobbs.

“Mr Mortimer’s offences are at the serious end of the scale, and the Board noted that the dangerous and insanitary nature of the building work was an aggravating factor in this case.”

In another case, Auckland-based LBP Satish Chand has been ordered to pay $2000 and had his license cancelled. This is Mr Chand’s third appearance before the Board, and his license has previously been suspended.

Mr Chand made a number of building-related errors which demonstrated a lack of understanding and knowledge of the Building Code and applicable technical standards.

“Mr Chand’s work failed inspection 10 times, and on numerous items. Many involved serious shortcomings relating to weathertightness of the home,” says Mr Hobbs

“The Building Inspector noted the work at hand was a simple job but Mr Chand seemed to be out of his depth. Some of the work continued to fail despite remedial work attempted by Mr Chand.

“The LBP scheme requires builders to perform safe, high quality building work that follows the Building Code, including the inspection process. This requirement wasn’t met in these two cases.

“New Zealanders can have confidence that where necessary, LBPs are held to account by the Board, who ensure building practitioners meet the high standards expected of them,” says Mr Hobbs.

A guide to making a complaint about a licensed building practitioner is available on the LBP website.

| A MBIE/NZGovt.  release  || November 29, 2017   |||

Nov 29, 2017  -  New Zealand Energy Corp. ("NZEC" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NZ) announced today it has filed with Canadian regulatory authorities its third quarter 2017 financial results and management discussion and analysis, which documents are available on the Company's website at www.newzealandenergy.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Reflecting on the direction of the Company after the third quarter 2017 results, Chairman James Willis said: “During the last quarter the results for the Company were adversely affected by a number of issues arising from equipment failures and unplanned maintenance. I look forward to a better production performance in the next quarter. We continue to make solid progress towards implementing the Waihapa enhanced oil project. Small but important steps, such as upgrades to the gas processing system (to restore full gas dehydration and measurement) have been completed. And arrangements to enable sales of non-specification gas are being finalised. It is an important project for the Company - the Board, our CEO Mike Adams and his team are focused on ensuring we continue to optimize the project (technically, operationally and financially) and on safely implementing the next redevelopment stage in Q1 2018.”.

Cash used in operating activities for the nine months was $104,829 (2016: $131,768) and for the quarter was $170,437 (2016: $84,143). The net loss for the nine months was $1,463,669 (2016: $2,886,458), of which $1,236,800 (2016: $1,741,293) was represented by non-cash items (depreciation, depletion and accretion). For the quarter, the net loss was $320,376 (2016: $1,126,194) of which $382,531 (2016: $523,198) was non-cash (depreciation, depletion and accretion). The Company achieved average net daily production of 206 boe/d (87% oil) for the nine months (2016: 231 boe/d (76% oil)); and for the quarter 106 boe/d (93% oil) compared to 150 boe/d (84% oil) during the third quarter of 2016.

| An New Zealand Energy Corp. release  ||  November 29, 2017  ||

Nov 29, 2017  -  Some overseas reports say petrol cars may be obsolete by 2026 but either way the massive switch to electric vehicles will be the biggest disruptive change to people’s lives in more than 100 years, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says. As New Zealand’s 15,000 motor mechanics get ready for the exciting electric vehicle (EV) era, petrol cars will soon begin to phase out in the biggest change to transport in the modern era, Muller says. “A couple of weeks ago, I was at a conference on digital transformation and a presenter showed a photo of Times Square in New York from 1900, complete with horses and carriages. “Then we were shown the same view, in 1920 and not a horse to be seen. Something like 20 million horses were unemployed within 20 years. Last week, Stanford economist Tony Seba told APEC delegates in Wellington that this process has already started for cars. “He believes the tipping point is here and no petrol vehicles will be built after 2025. Tony also believes that the number of cars will have decreased by 80 percent by 2030, with most of us opting to ride in an Uber style self-driving vehicle. “I dropped my daughter off at school the other day and I was almost run over by a Tesla. We stepped out between two parked cars, heading towards the school gates, when this lovely looking car glided past. “It didn’t make a sound. Instant car envy. It got me thinking about technology change. Before my daughter finishes school, I will no longer have to do the school run. Maybe one of those purring Tesla’s will collect her.” According to Tony Seba, on current trends it will be cheaper to build a mid-range EV costing US$33,000 than a conventional car by 2019, and they would be cheaper than the average equivalent conventional small car by 2022. The next step is embeddeing the technology into roads. This is being piloted in several countries including UK, Israel and Sweden. The technology, similar to that developed by Kiwi company PowerbyProxi which was recently purchased by Apple, allows wireless charging from the road to the car. This charge-as-you-drive system would overcome battery limitations. “EVs will also play a crucial role in supporting the environmental sustainability of future transport. Helping to rid the environment of harmful fossil fuels, cutting down on air pollution emissions and providing not just a more convenient future, but a healthier one too,” Muller says. “So consider the horse and car example, by 2037 if you look along Highway 1 in New Zealand the number of human driven petrol vehicles will have probably dropped substantially to about 1 in every 10 vehicles. “The cost of insurance and enviro taxes making them too expensive for most people to run. It will be likely that many roadways in New Zealand will have embedded inductive charging systems allowing EV’s to travel and charge at low costs, and the majority of the population won’t own a car, instead choosing to “request” a vehicle when they need it. “There will be more ride sharing, lower cost of transport, reduced environmental impact, more space on roads and easier parking.”

| A NZTech release  ||  November 29, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  - Software company Jade Logistics, supplier of the world’s number one Terminal Operating System (TOS) for mixed cargo ports, has continued to increase its global footprint by implementing its Master Terminal product at 22 sites in 2017.

“The importance of strong client ownership and committed super users cannot be stressed enough, and we have been fortunate enough to work with clients that understand and support this collaborative approach”   On the back of significant sales growth and what has been a record year for the company, Jade Logistics’ global implementation team achieved go-live at terminals across multiple geographic locations including Europe, the Americas, Australasia, and the Middle East.

This impressive result was underpinned by a substantial Australasian project in which 16 terminals went live in less than ten months, and was complemented by an eight-week implementation of a multi-purpose terminal on the eastern coast of the UAE.

Chief Executive Officer of Jade Logistics, David Lindsay said, “We are well aware of the importance of getting our clients live as soon as possible, allowing them to quickly experience the benefits of a world class Terminal Operating System.

“The implementation times achieved during 2017 are exceptional, and are delivering real value to customers in terms of lowering their total cost of ownership.”

Adding to the varied geographic locations, the terminals represent a diverse range of cargo types including pure bulk terminals, break bulk and RORO terminals, and container only terminals, one of which is handling over one million TEUs per annum.

Jade Logistics Director of Global Services, Mark Ginnever says, “The key to any successful implementation is a dedicated project team, comprising representatives from both organisations.”

“The importance of strong client ownership and committed super users cannot be stressed enough, and we have been fortunate enough to work with clients that understand and support this collaborative approach,” added Ginnever.

Master Terminal is now licenced to over 110 terminals around the world, and Jade Logistics’ growth is set to continue with strong sales forecast into 2018 and beyond.

About Jade Logistics

At Jade Logistics, we’ve developed the expertise required to solve the complex problems of managing a variety of mixed cargo. From mixed cargo ports in Ghana to railways in Europe, Jade Logistics provides the tools you need to become competitive.

Since 1993, Jade Logistics has been designing, building, and supporting innovative software for organizations in the specialist logistics industries.

Our people have extensive experience and understanding of the global logistics industry, which provides the foundation from which we build trusting, long-term relationships with our customers.

We have offices in New Zealand, Australia, USA, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

| A BusinessWire release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  - McConnell Dowell has won a contract for submarine and land-based pipelines to improve and futureproof the treatment of wastewater for three communities in Christchurch, New Zealand.  The package of work for the Governor's Bay, Diamond Harbour and Lyttelton wastewater project is for pipelines to convey untreated wastewater to the Christchurch Treatment Plant in Bromley. After treatment, wastewater will be discharged out to sea through the Christchurch Ocean Outfall, which was constructed by McConnell Dowell eight years ago.

Installation of the two (5km and 1.8km) weighted HDPE marine pipelines will involve prefabrication of pipe strings onshore before joining and bottom-pulling the pipelines out to the required location. A backhoe dredger and divers will then be employed to excavate the trench, lower the pipeline and backfill.

Work on site will begin in February 2018 and the project is scheduled for completion by Christmas 2018.

| A ConstructionIndex release  ||  November 28, 2017   |||