One of NZ's largest home builders says new loan restrictions have cost it 24 new-home builds in the first month alone - and it expects more as the policy bites.

Construction on the Transmission Gully alternative route to Wellington will begin in the second half of next year, Prime Minister John Key announced today

Inmates moving through the country's new $300 million prison will be able to track their path to freedom.

City's unemployment at lowest level since 2011 with average pay up to $1135 a week, writes Anne Gibson.

Two families have been accused of blocking a hapu from developing its coastal Northland property say they are out to protect the environment.

The rate of repairs to earthquake-damaged Housing New Zealand homes in Christchurch has been slammed for being "painfully slow".

The battle over a proposed controversial Bunnings in Grey Lynn will likely be headed for the Environment Court - irrespective of a decision by planning commissioners.

Kindercare and the St James Kindergarten are opposing Bunnings Warehouse Grey Lynn, raising safety and health threats to children.

Actress Tandi Wright and Seven Sharp presenter Jesse Mulligan want to stop the Bunnings Warehouse Grey Lynn.

One of Australasia's biggest infrastructure, resources and roading businesses wants to eliminate fatalities in the year ahead.

First-home buyers in the provinces will be given a subsidy of up to $20,000 to move into vacant state houses, Housing Minister Nick Smith announced today.

The Reserve Bank's new mortgage lending restrictions come into force today, restricting the number of high loan-to-value ratio mortgages banks can lend.

Prime Minister John Key has dismissed builders' concerns that new Reserve Bank mortgage lending limits will reduce the number of new homes being built.

The trend for the number of consents granted for new houses appears to be flattening after two years of growth, Statistics New Zealand said today.

New mortgage lending restrictions could cause a dramatic reduction in the number of houses built each year and put many small construction firms out of business, the Registered Master Builders Federation says.

Fletcher Building chief Mark Adamson says the changes being made at New Zealand's largest listed entity mirror the corporate recovery at Formica Group.