The number of new international students approved to study in New Zealand has dropped nearly a quarter since 2009 despite government measures to boost the industry.

New Housing Minister Nick Smith is vowing to break the "stranglehold" of Auckland Council's policy of containing urban sprawl .

International investors could be scared off by a Court of Appeal decision yesterday, say tax specialists.

Guy Hallwright has failed in his bid to win back his job with Forsyth Barr after the ERA ruled his conviction for running over a man had damaged the company's reputation.

An appeal in a landmark tax avoidance case has been thrown out this morning in what one commentator called a "complete slam dunk" for Inland Revenue.

An 18-year-old bar worker sacked for taking $12 of unclaimed pokie machine winnings as a tip has been awarded more than $13,000 compensation for being unfairly dismissed.

The Government has grossly underestimated the value of hydro-energy assets to New Zealand citizens, writes Wayne Cartwright.

Drought is likely to shave 0.5 per cent off gross domestic product by the end of the year and take a toll on next year's output as well, says ANZ bank.

New Zealand's largest territorial authority has dramatically reversed its financial position, turning an $88 million loss into a $478 million profit.

The debate about the financial merits of assets sales is a good one, and based purely on the numbers the benefits are marginal, writes Liam Dann.

The job climate is highly unpredictable, and there are huge issues regarding youth unemployment yet to be addressed. For students or new graduates, there is a strategic approach for all these aspects.

The jobs of 139 health and safety inspectors will be disestablished and staff made to reapply for the positions.

Bill English says the Government is "considering formalising" proposals to restrict bank lending and other "tools" to control credit growth.

The economy will grow faster this year and next year than we have seen since the recession but the recovery remains brittle, the Institute of Economic Research says.

A Parliamentary committee has recommended a starting wage for youth be passed into law.

A growing number of people do not have enough money to meet their everyday needs and many are putting off visiting the doctor because it is too expensive.