Expectations of house price inflation have jumped, especially in Auckland, ASB's quarterly survey of housing market sentiment has found.

Drought throughout much of the South Island and dry conditions in parts of the North look set to add urgency to water storage and irrigation schemes.

New Zealand's services sector activity rose to a six-month high in January as record inward migration boosted demand for housing, increasing the need for property-related services.

More than three-quarters of the people who had deceived a partner about money said it damaged the relationship.

How actual corporate earnings compare with the elevated heights at which many stocks are now trading will be fascinating to see, writes Liam Dann.

Internet banking customers using a popular online payment system are being warned by banks that they might not be covered if fraud occurs.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says the economy's growth will remain lower for longer and policy easing may be less effective than in the past.

Investors in nine property syndicates that have so far lost $25 million say related-party loans and mismanagement may have contributed to their financial woes.

Having chugged along through the financial crisis, China's huge expansion in debt now threatens to destabilise the economy.

The NZ dollar has edged closer to its record against the Australian dollar overnight - briefly touching 96.29 Australian cents this morning.

New Zealanders who savoured the privacy of their Swiss HSBC bank accounts will continue to enjoy it from Inland Revenue, which won't reveal whether information from leaked files lifted any locals' tax bills.

One HSBC client with links to New Zealand had up to $67.83 million with its Swiss private banking arm, according to leaked files.

Auckland could boost SkyCity Entertainment Group's half-year result issued on Wednesday but Adelaide could drag it down.

A New Zealand bank has announced what is believed to be a first for the country - a 10-year fixed-rate home loan.

S&P will pay more than a year's profit to settle suits that it inflated ratings on subprime-mortgage bonds at the centre of the 2008 financial crisis.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler has hosed down speculation he is minded to cut the official cash rate any time soon, say economists.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler today raised the risk of a "sharp correction" in the Auckland housing market.

David McLean, the newly appointed boss of Westpac New Zealand, says he has landed his "dream job".

New Westpac boss Brian Hartzer has stamped his authority in his first day as chief executive of the Australian banking group.