VENTURE CAPITAL POST

US-based private equity firms Carlyle Group and KKR & Co and Australian investment firm Archer Capital have advanced in the sale of Transpacific Industries Group's waste management business. The three firms are working with banks to put together loan packages to back their bids.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) bought the Australian and New Zealand underwriting business of Western Australia's farmers' cooperative Wesfarmers Ltd for $1.845 billion.

New Zealand-based express package services provider Freightways Limited has purchased two document destruction businesses, namely Sydney-based Advance Security Destruction Services and Hastings-based Docushred, for a total of USD13 million.

New Zealand-based tertiary textbook firm Bennetts Group has bought the assets of travel and accommodation guide publisher Jasons Travel Media in a deal with undisclosed financial details.

Telecom Corp Ltd has offloaded its Australian AAPT unit to TPG Telecom Ltd UDS450 million to initially repay debt and focus on its operations in New Zealand.

The shares of Australia-based electronics seller Dick Smith Holdings Ltd lifted on its debut on Wednesday after securing USD315 million in its initial public offering.

Italy-based Barilla family, the founders of the biggest company pasta in the world, have shelled out USD25 million to acquire a South Island dairy farm.

Australia-based IDP Education, the world's largest provider of international student placement, is considering the sale of its shares through an initial public offering (IPO) in 2014.

Singapore-based fund manager Duxton Asset Management purchased a 50% in seven cattle and sheep farms in Otago, New Zealand, and is looking for further investments in the country.

The New Zealand government said it planned to sell 20% of its stake in Air New Zealand to cut down public debt and spend on infrastructure projects.

Brisbane-based veterinary giant Greencross announced its intention to buy pet retail chain Mammoth Pet Holdings in an acquisition deal that is valued at USD330 million.

New Zealand healthcare company Bupa became the top operator in the region after it acquired three rest-homes in Dunedin, Gore and Riverton.

New Zealand's dairy manufacturer Fonterra signed a deal to acquire troubled Tasmania-based company Tamar Valley Dairy.

Chinese firm CRED Real Estate bought New Zealand's Pepper's Carrington resort for an undisclosed amount.

The IPO of state-backed power firm Meridian Energy would raise USD 1.6 billion or NZD 1.88 billion for New Zealand.