Rob McLeod, chairman of EY, says while NZ is in a relatively strong position, we face material risks.

Bill English has basked in the NZ economy's rock star status but ironically unforeseen rocky conditions have denied him the satisfaction of unveiling his first Budget surplus.

The advertising world has gone digital - and not just indoors, writes John Drinnan. Outdoor advertising firms Adshel and iSite are both increasing their digital foothold in the Auckland streetscape.

There's a lot we just don't know about the Government's moves on tax and real estate, writes Brian Fallow. Trying to judge the likely impact on the Auckland market of the property taxation measure the Government announced on Sunday is one of those times.

Is the Govt really getting double the amount of dividends from its sold down power companies?

Dr Juliet Newson's job as a geothermal reservoir modelling engineer at Contact Energy has her harnessing computer power to visualise the underground steam resources of the Wairakei area.

The size of the deficit distracts from a more meaningful question: what should government spending and taxes be as a fraction of the national income?

We might never see a CGT in this country, which could well be a good thing given the compromises that would likely be part of its introduction, writes Mark Lister.

David Chaplin on insurance company 'churn' or the shifting of clients to different providers for commission.

Tech blogger Juha Saarinen on Vodafone turning off Twitter and Facebook SMS messages without warning.

It would be a stretch to suggest trading rooms will fall silent tomorrow afternoon when Finance Minister Bill English enters Parliament to deliver his seventh Budget.

Up until a couple of months ago it was possible to use KiwiSaver to buy a first home in Australia but all that changed at the beginning of April.

The David Ross effect came into play again last week Sovereign hived off its remnant investment business.

Debbie Mayo-Smith reminds readers of five simple lessons to help improve sales including the power of silence.

When planning for the future seems just too hard, we all need a way to put it in focus.

The Government has surprised the market with a stronger than expected move on property tax, writes Liam Dann.

For people other than residential property investors, Thursday's Budget is expected to be a nickel-and-dime affair, writes Brian Fallow.

Whatever lies ahead, your best bet is to avoid any position in which you have to sell - mortgagee sale or not, advises Mary Holm.

Advocates for global mode and open internet access are undermining local content and the survival of the New Zealand production industry, writes John Drinnan.

With rates going up again to pay for Mayor Brown's vision Brian Rudman is a little nervous about being stuck with funding the cycling lobby's cross-harbour vision as well.

The cut and thrust around Rank's Carter Holt IPO has begun...

Jock Anderson on Blues rugby player George Moala's recent discharge without conviction as an example of a two-tier justice system.

When Graeme Wheeler introduced the Reserve Bank's new rules for property investment in Auckland, he said that it was only one tool to manage the housing crisis.

To raise unspoiled children, discuss financial issues openly, says new book.

Auckland house prices climbed 9.5 per cent in just the last three months, according to the Real Estate Institute - an alarming number, Brian Fallow writes.

Increase a brazen move when Sky's prices are already an issue and we are in the first days of a competitive pay TV market, writes John Drinnan.

The Reserve Bank has abandoned its one-size-fits-all approach to loan-to-value ratio curbs recognising house price inflation is an Auckland problem.

Dampening highly geared speculators' appetite for the Auckland cash-box housing market got the thumbs up from many quarters yesterday.

No other advanced economy in the world would allow almost all of its banking system to be owned overseas, writes Paul Glass. "Let's require the big four banks to list 25 per cent of just their NZ operations on the NZ Stock Exchange."