Meridian Energy has earned billions of dollars in excess profits in the last 20 years, some major electricity consumers say.

A booming construction sector and tighter cost controls has seen the steel and manufacturing company Steel & Tube (STU) return to profitability.

Employers are pushing for businesses including manufacturers to be able to operate under alert levels 3 and 4.

The union representing many of the country’s supermarket workers says its members have been under severe stress during lockdown week one.

Media company NZME had a strong start to the year with a significant reduction in debt and an increase in subscriber numbers.

Retirement village operator Summerset Group had a strong lift in first half profit on the back of higher unit sales and a rise in property values.

ContainerCo says many of its 11 depots around the country are above capacity and it is bringing forward investment to expand facilities.