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 as it acknowledges its loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions have favoured investors.

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.

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.

Labour's leadership contest has turned into a showdown on the party's capital gains tax policy, with Andrew Little and David Parker at loggerheads over its future.

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.