Burglars have stripped an empty apartment complex stealing everything - including 32 kitchen sinks.The crews behind the thefts posed as demolition workers and spent weeks inside the apartments.

The number of new homes approved for construction in August was up 17 per cent, the second month of increases, with retirement units and earthquake-related replacement homes lifting the numbers, says Statistics New Zealand.

Chinese Deputy Premier, Hui Liangyu, got concrete proof that Chinese investment in New Zealand is welcomed, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Wellington today.