Trading in Air New Zealand shares were suspended after prime minister Ms Helen Clark told small investors not to sell their stock in the embattled carrier.
Ms Clark's comments followed a dramatic plunge in the stock's value on Monday.
The fall followed her warning that Air New Zealand may be placed in the hands of independent administrators to help it survive.
Although no shares were traded in this morning's session, the price traders were willing to pay for them rocketed. Trading resumed in the afternoon.
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