The NZ dollar held near a seven-year high against the yen before services sector and retail sales figures that are expected to show the domestic economy continues to grow apace.

Auckland house prices have hit a new high and national sales volumes rose 11.8 per cent last month in a big spring resurgence.

The Reserve Bank is eyeing measures to discourage speculators from buying multiple houses - acknowledging LVR restrictions have favoured investors.

At least 4500 kiwis hoping for an end to mortgage restrictions will have to wait longer before they can buy a place, a financier has calculated.

First-home buyers took out only 10 per cent by value of mortgages given by New Zealand banks in September.

Homeowners feeling flush after learning their newly-released property values are borrowing more from banks to splurge on new cars, boats and home renovations.

Wall Street climbed, with the Dow and the S&P 500 touching record highs, amid optimism about the outlook for corporate profits.

Loan to value ratios on bank mortgage lending could be in for a change this week when the Reserve Bank releases its financial stability report.

House values throughout New Zealand rose 1.1pc in the past three months, the slowest rise in two years, according to QV data out.

The NZ dollar fell below a key support level of 77 US cents, driven by optimism about the outlook for the world's largest economy.

Yngve Slyngstad, Norwegian wealth fund's CEO, says almost all investment decisions are affected by what happens in China.

The New Zealand economy has managed the ultimate "Houdini" act by avoiding the inflationary pressures that usually go along with strong growth, Westpac said.