As Auckland's property market shows signs of slowing several regions in New Zealand have hit record highs.

Latest property sales stats show Auckland property prices largely unchanged in December, while sales volumes fall.

Kiwi mortgage holders may see an increase in longer fixed term rates over the coming weeks after the US Federal Reserve lift rates this morning.

Understanding what the Fed is, and why the Fed does what it does, can be pretty complex. Here's what you need to know.

Fed ends the "zero-rate era" - signals 4 quarter-point increases for next year.

The Fed is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate this week for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Reserve Bank has cut its official cash rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.5 per cent, signalling a likely end to the current easing cycle.

ANZ, Westpac, Kiwibank and BNZ have now cut mortgage rates after the Reserve Bank reduced the OCR to a record low of 2.5 per cent.

NZ Dollar jumped over half a US cent to US67.30 after OCR cut to 2.50 per cent.

Economists at Westpac and ASB forecast a drop in the OCR to 2 per cent next year.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler says raising interest rates as a short-term monetary policy response to Auckland's overheated housing market is "pretty negligible".

New Zealand's banking system remains in good health, but heavily indebted dairy sector and heated property market are posing increasing risks to lenders.

Million dollar-plus properties are selling at the rate of 25 a day in NZ - 22 a day in Auckland - and at nearly double the frequency of the previous year.

The Auckland housing market slowed last month following the introduction of new restrictions, according to the latest industry figures.

"Massive" home valuation rises across the Auckland region pushed the average up 24.4 per cent annually to a new high of $918,153.

Average asking prices for Auckland homes have dropped more than $18,000 in just a month, says realestate.co.nz.

Zero interest rates might be around awhile longer, that was the message last week from Federal Reserve governors.

The Treasury is warning that economic growth this year might drop below 2 per cent. That would mean virtually zero in per capita terms, writes Brian Fallow.

Consumer prices rose at a slower pace in the September quarter as more expensive vegetables and local body rates offset cheaper vehicle relicensing fee

But Reserve Bank governor is wary of stoking housing market.

NZ house prices have hit a new record high but why?