New research finds that many businesses in NZ do not have a clear understanding of inflation rates, much less the role of the central bank.

Despite cutting interest rates three times this year Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler says he remains optimistic about the New Zealand economy.

The Reserve Bank surprised no one by cutting its official cash rate at yesterday's official cash rate review. The challenge now facing the central bank lies not in holding inflation down, but in holding it up.

Wheeler cited rising consent numbers as a bright spot in the Auckland housing sector when he gave his post-OCR briefing.

The Reserve Bank is expected to cut interest rates this week, fueling belief that banks will follow suit and cut mortgage rates.

Te Hau ki Turanga Trust claims the Reserve Bank used one of its cultural patterns on the new $10 bank note without permission.

Final versions of the new $5 and $10 banknotes have been revealed - with brighter colours, but the same famous faces and flora and fauna design features.

A former Citibank and UBS trader is going to jail after a jury found him guilty of masterminding the manipulation of the key Libor interest rate.

The tide has turned on the economic boom. The slump in dairy prices has once again laid bare the vulnerabilities of a commodity-dominated economy.

New Zealand banks approved three times as many mortgages for investors as they did for first home-buyers over the past year, Reserve Bank figures show.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler yesterday delivered the 25 basis points cut to the official cash rate down to 3 per cent that the markets had expected and foreshadowed more to come.

Banks reduce mortgage rates on the back of Reserve's announcement - and it's likely the OCR will fall further.

Wheeler struck the right note in this morning's official cash rate announcement: appropriately dovish but not alarmist.

NZIER's monetary policy shadow board favours a cut to the official cash rate of 25 basis points to 3 per cent tomorrow.

Inflation remained low in the June quarter, but not quite as low in Auckland as in the country as a whole.

Confidence fell as households turned sour on the economic outlook, although more remain positive rather about their personal situation.

Consumer prices rose as a weaker currency and higher global oil prices lifted the cost of petrol.

How can the air be gently let out of the souffle without having it collapse? Mathhew Goodson writes.

"Not at all" was governor Graeme Wheeler's response when asked on Thursday if the Reserve Bank had made a policy mistake last year in raising interest rates.

The New Zealand dollar could fall as low as US60c against the greenback this year following yesterday's official cash rate cut, says a market strategist.

The Reserve Bank's decision to lower the official cash rate has been heralded as a positive move for house buyers outside Auckland.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler has defended the decision to lower the Official Cash Rate amid concerns it could worsen the unaffordability of house prices in Auckland.

Banks have slashed mortgage rates this morning in reaction to the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate to 3.25 per cent.

NZIER’s shadow monetary policy board favours an on-hold decision when the Reserve Bank reviews the official cash rate.

Too many drivers are keeping the Auckland property market hot, and experts see little or no change, as David Maida discovers.

Auckland prices have been rising faster than elsewhere in the country, due to recent action by the Reserve Bank and the Govt.

The day of the Kiwi quarter-acre dream is a dream of yesteryear, especially for those of us who call Auckland home.