MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise, led by Comvita on China deal; Air NZ, Mercury gain

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise, led by Comvita on China deal; Air NZ, Mercury gain
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Sept. 5 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose, led by Comvita on the back of its plans to take control of its Chinese distribution, while Air New Zealand and Mercury NZ also gained.  The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 65.73 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,491.84. Within the index, 36 stocks rose, 10 were unchanged and five fell. Turnover was $182 million. Comvita was the best performer on the index, up 6 percent to $10.60. The New Zealand manuka honey products company plans to acquire 51 percent of its Chinese distributor in a $3...