The kiwi dollar dropped half a cent after the Reserve Bank governor said the bank may sell the currency should it remain high while export prices weaken.

An improving economy and a massive reduction in bad loans helped Westpac New Zealand post a record half-year profit.

New Zealand architects, including Auckland's much-awarded Andrew Patterson, have been critical of Australian practices winning big jobs here.

The average Auckland house sale price and volumes achieved by the city's biggest real estate agency dropped from $725,708 in March to $708,603 last month.

ANZ New Zealand says an improving economy and its ditching of the National Bank in favour of a single retail brand helped it achieve a 27 per cent lift in half-year cash profit to a record $887 million.

ANZ New Zealand has posted a $887 million first-half cash profit - a 27 per cent gain from a year earlier.

Just one in 10 people know who to complain to if they have a dispute with their bank, insurer or financial adviser - and that's not good enough, says the head of the FMA.

More people are complaining about KiwiSaver to the Banking Ombudsman with a 51 per cent increase in cases compared to last year.

Australia's major banks are scrambling to distance themselves from dealings with companies accused illegal or immoral practices

It's a great idea to keep an eye on your KiwiSaver fees because "Fees are the one constant that will always eat away at your returns."

A Queenstown woman done for a $400,000 bank rip-off has admitted the offending - and using the money for a house, overseas trips and paying off debts.

Barclays has been accused of trying to silence criticism of its bonus culture after a director slapped down a shareholder for speaking out over its pay practices.

Homeowners are bracing for another rise in mortgage interest rates but experts say most are prepared with better spending habits and contingency plans.

The FMA is investigating whether the sales and marketing of interest rate swaps by major banks to rural customers may have breached the laws.

The Reserve Bank has increased the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 3 per cent this morning.